Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1922-04-26
O'BR|EN AT ED|NBURG
DISCUSSES PLANS FOR
EXTENDING UP VALLEY
LdndS Brownsville People and
Organization for Wiping Ont
Deficit Here of $4,000

4, Il is a pathetic but not a pretty pic
I ture. The behOldcrS see men, women AID
children as slaves, humans working L.
increase tonnage. but not to better them
selves. Then he shifts the scene. Those
who look see a race VI Gree men, a Val
I Icy OF contcntcd homes, "a splendid
harbor with ships going out laden with
profitable cargo, coming in with cheaper
goods; an Independent railroad running
4 Up the Valley from Esoes Junction via
San Benitc or IIarlingen and connected
with one Of the big roads.
In both pictures every detail stands
out in convincing colors.
| Mr.. O'Bricn referred to the splendid
messages or encouragement sent him
from Edinburg while he was yet in the
midst Of the Brownsville campaign, and
in turn he told his audience Of the
enthusiastic support given him BY all the
people and organizations of Browns
Vile.
\ when the little children Of the Charity
\ Home came TO me with ten dollars worth
of nickels and dimes somebody else had
given them, ne said, II hoped il would
touch the hearts of some of the rich men
or the Valley half dozen OF whom could
! have raised this money and saved mo
the trouble Of coming appealing 10 you
"a 81 common beggar.
Il was urged TO so on with the work
Of building the road and was assured
the money would DC forthcoming. II
has mot been paid. | had to borrow
money and use my famly's money 70
complete tile road.
Mr.. O'Bricn then explained the de-
cision Of a few progressive citizens that
the only course remaining oncn was 70
appeal 10 the people To subscribe IN such
amo4rt that Fthcy could afford to DO.
By mathematical calcUlation,~ he
statr.', ninety five per cent of the work
has been done. but unless we 40 the re-
manning five per cent / cannot contin-
uc TO hold the property together. If !
can close by May fifteenth you can come
down July Fourth and see the govern
ment dredges at work"
Mr.. O'Brien scored those who would
mpoverish all people ID enrich them
selves, asserting that Judas iscarot,
who at least had the deccncy TO go and
hang himself, was gentleman ~ com
parisoE-
Explaining how and why it would be
madness for any of three great roads
to build into the Valley until they
could connect with an independent rail
road, Mr.. OBrien went into detail as to
his plan for. extending his road up the
Valley and 70 EdinburE.
With the Rio Grande railroad worth
today five hundred thousand dollars. he
rccitod, there IL a bonded indebtedness
lof $500, 900 leaving bonding capacity or
s2l0.000 which would 20 "a long way to-
ward building the road from Esoes June
tion up the river via San Benito or llar
lingcn. The communities beyond Har-
lingrn and San Benito being close to-
gcthcr by road, could care for the eS-
tension. Also the S2lO,UO0 when eX-
pended for improvements woull fIrn-
ish the foundation for still larger bonded
Indebtedness, h. pointed out. WI ch III
turn would increase the worth Of the
property so long as it remained graft
less railroad.
Mr.. O'Brien told of the exccllenccies
Of the Valleys harbor. how Il was land
locked. how the islands proved a natural
sea wall. citing a proof the fact the old
depot building bull. ID 1871 IN still stand
ing.
tie said that all these facts were well
known to interests which have dctcrm-
iucd to fight his project to the last trick
tie asserted that there was no honor or
prime pie among people who will thrive
II The expense of the people Of the Val
ley.
Mr.. O'Brien in this speech announced
that hc had instructed W =. Burnett 70
cancel every note due the Rio Grandc
railroad.
II know the holders cannot pay them. :
he explained.
lContinued on Page Twol