Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-07-05
Menace OfLeUeeS and "HOt
Air" To Flood Control Is
Discussed By Valley Men
W. I. Burnett Endorses Plan
Of Col. Robertson; Points
To Necessity Engineers
Taking Up the Problem
To The Herald:

To The Herald:
This is time for action Past
experience has taught us that idle
oratory, empty varorings, colorful
resolutions and glittering general
tiles neither prevent nor control
floods.
The problem Of flood control is
one Of the most vital and important
now confronting the people Of the
Rio Crande Valley. But first Of
all it il an engineering problem the
solution Of which, as Colonel Sam
Robertson has suggested will require
the very best talent obtainable. Col
onel Byron l.. Bargar has stated
"if the counties and cities and canal
companies Of the Valley independ-
emily build levees and fight each
other-that's suicide,"
If ever there was matter in
which the Valley should proceed
from the very start, with the great
est consideration and celebration,
this is it. The homes and happiness.
the very existence Of our people are
at stake and ] am fearful lest even
n slight mistake be made at this
time.
We know that every man, woman
and child in this Valley will do
everything possible to insure per-
manent protection AGAINST floods
and that the people Of the Valley
will ,nnvo aS a npi. for TIA eucca-.
Of the comprehensive plan which
must be worked out by a committee
or board Of engineers such rs those
eminent men suggested by Colonel
Robertson. But, as ] see il, the
very first step should he taten bv
the civil engineers Of the Valley, all
Of whom are men Of brains and
ability, unselfish rs are ali men Of
their profession, living for what
they can achieve and rarely. if
ever, caring for material gain. Thee
men can assemble accurate data
covering every acre Of land in the
Valley and prepare it for submis-
sion to the experts whose counsel and
assistance we must secure.
To provide funds which will be
needed for expenses would suc-
gest committee to be composed Of
ONE layman from every community
Of the Valley such member 10 he
selected with view to his integrity
and ability and willingness to serve
in this great cause. Ii would he
well TO select an alternate commit
tecman from every community who
would act in the absence Of the COM
mitteeman. These selections should
be made with delibcration ut local
meetings held in the resnective
communities. As soon rs possible
after selection the committeeman
should meet. ORGANIZE and renort to
the Valley Engineers that they are
ready to cooperate with them.
As soon rs the Valley Engineers
decide the date upon which thev
could have their data assembled the
committee mentioned should take up
with our senator's and congressman
the matter Of securing the appoint
ment Of Colonel Med. Townsend.
Colonel Edgar Jadwin and Colonel
Harry Burgess to work out the plan
for flood prevention. With the
plans completed the Valley viii be
in position to launch a movement to
provide funds for necessary CON
struction. Ii may be that we can
obtain assistance from our state or
federal government or both; or il
may devolvc upon Us to do our own
financing through bond issues. but
these matters cannot be discussed
effectively nor even intelligentlv
until the plans have been prenared
Let the officers Of the engineers
organizations Of the Valley call a
~eeting Of all Valley Engineers.
which necessary data can be assem-
bled and the committee | have sug-
rested can secure funds to defray
the expenses Of compiling this data.
But rs see it the data should be
available when the engineers from
Washington reach here.
As indicated at the outset Of this
communication we have before US
one of the greatest engineering pro-
blems Of the age and it car only
be solved by men Of sound judg-
ment qualified by education, train
ing and experience to deal with
such matters.
You can count upon the people
of the Rio Grande Valley doing
their part but they must know that
their money and efforts will not be
wasted. WM. T. BURNETT