Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-11-05

The Herald believes that il is true that op-
portunity comes every mans way in life
and fortune awaits him who heeds the call.
But some people and communities are perhaps
more fortunate. To some this friendly visitor
repeats his calls. To the observer Of events
it seems that Brownsville and the Valley are
in the latter class. At the present time there
loud and repeated calls e. open the door
that progress. who accompanies opportunity,
may come and abide with this God favored
land
At the present time the people of the Val
ley the eve of better things if will
not shut the door i'm the face of opportunity.
Deep water on the Point is the most cherished
dream of the Valley. and has been for years
The Board of City Development has been un-
tiring IN the labor Of bringing this Ia a full
naturalization. which will mean much for the
Valley and cooperating the other towns have
Tended valuable assistance.
Other plums are most tcndery nurscd which
give promise of early maturity. and The Her
aid hopes To announce in the near future that
the fruit is ready to be plucked.
Another big enterprise. which Is almost eq-
ual in Importance To deep water is knocking
at the door of the Valley and if will meet
il half way il will come and abide with us.
This will be greatness thrust upon But
1t can be driven away. The last enterprise
which should be fostcred most stcirolsly
comes from the Federal government.
Yesterday The Herald mentioned that Mr.
Perry Welty was here t. present business
proposition to the live wires 90 Brownsville
ars h. has presented the matter 10 other towns
in Texas For some time past through the
department of the interior. the government
has been working ont plan for reclamation
of waste land upon which To establish return
ing soldiers who have fought democracy's bat
ties on the bloody fields of France.
Yesterday afternoon Mr.. Welty appeared
before a number of Brownsville business men
and laid the proposition before them. lie
stated that il isproposed hy the government
to purchase :sO.OOO acres i'm Cameron county
If land that is now non-productive. but sub
iect 10 irrigation. This will be improved and
sold to returning soldiers ~ practically the
cost of purchase But the government does
not stop there II is not purpoScd I" turn the
men loose on raw land. but e. improve tins
land upon certain uniform lines erect sub
stantial homes. build roads and provide water
for irrigation. Mcncy will be available Tor
tools and the means Of seeding and cutiya-
ton The terms Of purchase 70 extend over
n long period Of years. and for the first period
Inn
the purchaser has had ample time to demon
strate his worth. and appreciation and -
making good proporticnate parts OF the prin-
cipal will be added to the annual payments 70
be made.
The plans provide according to the state
ment of MIR. Welty.. To safeguard the gov
crnmcnt against the shiftless class. who will
not try to make good. These will 10 wceded
out when they demonstrate their unfitness fof
the benevolent assistance which the govern
ment proposes and the land will be sold e.
another who may be able to come up to the
required standard.
II Il proposed Ia purchase 12.00o.000 acres
in the several states of the Union. In Texas
1000 OOO acres is sought for the purpose
while Southwest Texas will probably have
o5OO00 acres ~ its arid land reclaimed. IL
meet the requirements of the government il
this respect il il proposed To- reclaim non
productive lands wherever they can be oh
tanned ut a fair valuation. The swamp lands
of the Atlantic and Mississippi states will b.
drained. the cut over lands Of the timber bel