Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-05-23
MOVEMENT FOR
zAPATA COUNTY
ROAD STARTED
Effort Will be Made to Sc
cure Liberal Federal and
State Appropriation to
Close Gap in Laredo Road

The Zapata County gap in the pro-
posed surfaced highway from Browns
vile to Laredo will be closed il the
movement started this week by Gamer
on. Hidalgo and Starr counties, assist
ed by the Laredo Chamber of Com
merce proves successful.
When .he announcement was made
three weeks ago that starr county had
successfully floated its bond issue and
would secure ample funds TO build
first class gravel highway across that
county from the Hidalgo county line TO
Zapata county. the proposition of build
ing across Zapata coun to connect with
the Webb county highway south from
Laredo was taken up, County Judge
Dancy Of Cameron county sending let
ters to tho Laredo Chamber Of Com
merce and a number Of leading citizens
Of Webb and Zapata counties and also
enlist.ng the interest of Cameron and
Hidalgo county organize ions. II was
pointed out that if the gap across Zapa-
ia county is closed, a good highway
from Brownsville to Laredo could be
secured WHICH would give the Valley
another excellent route to Laredo and
providing tourists with the opportunity
70 enter the Valley by the border road,
q road which will be replete with inter-
est to the tourist traffic.
The Laredo Chamber Of Commerce
Immediately accepted the plan, and the
following letter was received yesterday
by Judge Dancy from the secretary OF
that organization:
Il have pleasure in reporting that at
the regular weekly meeting of the
Board Of Directors they strongly en-
dorsed the movement to try and COM
plete the gap between Brownsville and
Laredo across Zapata county.
I'VE will have conference with he
County Judge and other officials during
this week, or early next week. Also
with the State Highway Department
on ways and means and plans which
they will endorse.
Am writing you this report Of prog
ress with the view Of calling to your
mind the advisability OF writing the
State highway Department urging them
TO go the limit in iiberaliiy in the state
and federal aid for the road across za-
pata county. As you know there are
Only few people upon whom this will
fall. OF course in thai; way it becomes
rather heavy burden upon them.
'lnasmuch rs the other counties from
the Zapata county line to Brownsville
have been provided for. We believe that
the influence Of the three counties in
tervening on behalf OF Zapata county
for liberal appropriation. will have
very greasi weight and influence.
II hope to have further report of
progress. and in the meantime will be
glad TO hear from you with your fur
ther suggestions.
Thanking you for youS interest in this
matter. and assuring you of our best
cooperation"
The opinion has been expressed BY
men in close touch with the highway
situa ion on the border that little diff
flculty will be encountered in securing
liberal appropriation for the Zapata
COUNTY highway. The closing Of this gap
between Brownsville and Laredo, two of
the most important points on the Mexi-
can border, is very essential. il il
pointed out. and the federal engineers
can be expected TO give all possible aid.
The cost cf constructing the highway
across Zapata county would be compar-
atively small as compared with highway
construction in the Lower Valley. an
abundance Of gravel can be secured In
close proximity to the highway in both
Starr and Zapata coun les. bridgework
and fills being the main items Of cost.
Efforts will be made to secure prompt
action on this highway. and IL is under
stood that the matter will be presented
to the = ate Highway Commission early
in June and the services Of that depart
ment enlisted in promoting the project.
In the meantime the Chambers Of Conn.,
mcrce and other organizations in the
;hc Valley are being organized to as
sist in pushing the project, and the
opinion il being expressed thai Zapata
county will be able to have that section
of the highway completed by the time
G. rrr. courtr,x partiar, l. raad,-