Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-02-21
Want State TAX
TOBE USED FOR
FLOOD CONTROL
Cameron County Will Draft
Measure Upon Same Basis
as Bill Passed by House
Exempting Hidalgo County

A bill similar to the one recently
passed by the lawcr house OF the leg
islature and now before the senate. REL
lieving Hidalgo county OF the payment
OF state taxes. providing bonds are s-
sued IN an amount equal or greater
than the amount Of the tax. the funds
to be used in flood control work, Will
be presented in the legislature on he
half Of Cameron county, according 10 an
announcement made last night al tn.
Board of City Development by ]. l.
Canales. who returned yesterday from
the state capital
Mr.. Canales stated that the hill pre-
scented by Senator Parr exempted only
Hidalgo county from the payment oil
state taxes, it being impossible under
the law for more than one county 10 be
included in any one bill of this nature.
and that in order 20 secure similar ex-
emption for Cameron and possibly vii
lacy counties separate bills would be
necessary and that he had been assured
of their introduction OF the bills are
prepared. In the case Of Willacy coan-
~. he explained that the original vii
lacy county was included IN the district
Tor which state taxes were exempted
under the Pope bill several years ago
for the purpose Of constructing a sea
wall at Corpus Christi, and that IN
order to include Willacy county in the
flood control plans. an amendment to
that bill would be necessary and aroiher
bill passed cxcmpting state taxes in
that county for flood control. He cx-
pressed the opinion that this could be
accomplished. and Willacy county join
ed with Hidaygo and Cameron counties
in the flood control plans.
After some discussion the board ap-
pointed the following attorneys. r. ".
Seabury, J. b. Canales. J. A. Graham.
Oscar Dancy. A. B. Cole and VIM. Jones
as a committee tc draft the bill. and
meeting will be held today or to-
morrow for that purpose.
In his address. Mr.. Canales stated
that state taxes would be exempted
only upon condition that the county
issue bonds equal or greater than The
amount TO be exempted for flood con
troll purposes. He pointed out that
neither Hidalgo or Cameron counties
could work effectively on flood con
troll program without the assistance Of
the other. and sounded note of warn
ing to Brownsville citizens in regard
TO what might he expected along the
lower reaches of the Rio Grande il
proper precautions are not taken to
care for the flood waters Of the river.
willacy county is as much Interested
in flood control as either Cameron
or Hidalgo, il was pointed out. but ur-
ell the bill which was passed prior 10
the organization Of that county. exempt
ing the state taxes for the Corpus
Christi seawall is amended. that county
will not be in position to part cipa;e
in the flood control work.
Mr. Canales conferred with a number
Of the leading Legislators and stated
that he found them greatly interested
in the Valleys problems. and expressed
the opinion that no delay would be en-
countered in the passage Of the nee
cssary measures granting Cameron
county The same exemption as rendered
Hidalgo.
This is a matter that will admit Of
no delay" he stated. Cameron county
should have had the bill before the leg
islaturc before this. but there is still
time TO gef il before this session and
secure favorable action. Any delay now
will mean that the Lower RIO Grande
Valley would probably have 60 wait two
years before il again has an opportun
ity 10 start effective work in securing
flood control. The Valleys losses last
year have taught us that we cannot
start work too soon
The Hidaigo county bill passed the
lower house last week. and has been
reported favorably by the senate COM
mittce and favorable action IS expect
ed when il is brought up. In addition
10 the Hidaigo county bill q general bill,
authorizing the state TO make such cN
emptions. has ,lso passed the house
and has been favorably reported in the
senate.
The bill would exempt the county
from the payment of state taxes for the
period OF twenty-five years. providing
bonds equal 10 the amount of state
taxes for that period are issued and the
funds derived therefrom are used for
flood control work.
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