Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1923-08-12
FLOOD CONTROL
s DISCUSSED At
Jan BENITO
;. H. Pease Of McAllen Ad-
dresses Valley Engineers
in Response to Invitation
Extended Last Meeting.

At the meeting of the Rio Grandc
Valley Chapter of the American En-
Eineers held at San Beaito last night.
flood control for the Rio Grande Val
ley was the principal topic discussed,
and Ian address upon this subject, was
delivered by c. II. Pease of McAllen.
secretary Of the Water Users Associa-
tion. At the last regular meeting Of
the engineers an invitation was cx-
tended to Mr.. Pease to attend this
meeting for the purpose of discussing
flood control. and none but members
of the organization were present
Mr.. Peases address covered the sub
ject in detail. and he strongly cham
pioned the U. s. Reclamation Service
as the organization in whose hands all
flood control plans should be placed
and also pointed out that without or
ganization and complete cooperation
from all Valley counties. flood con
troll would be impossible. His address
proved Of great interest to the engin-
GERS, and a general discussion OF the
salient points followed.
Mr.. Pease said in part:
1T is TO be regretted that there
has been more or less difference OF
opinion and controversy which has OBJ
scured the fundamental issues Of this
question Of flood control. However.
we should not bemoan this fact. as il
is always an accomplishing Of human
lprogress. We are dealing with a sub
ject that requires the united action Of
many conflicting and numerous inter
ests. therefore ii Is not to be expected
that we can find the solution and &C.
less controversy. trust that whatever
Of personalities there may have been
injected into this discussion. they may
for the present. at least. be cast aside.
II believe that there are certain
fundamental problems involved. First.
we have a problem which calls for un-
tied action: second. that II Is a prob
lem of large magnitude; third. th-'
we must have well informed and uni
fled public opinion before any union
of the present conflicting elements can
be possible.
Recognition of the first two Of
these propositions. while at first they
were not clearly recognized. are now
fully appreciated. The uniting and ce-
menting of public opinion is the most
difficult problem. In other words. the
human problem Is the one great fact
or, and engineering questions ard
questions of finance must largely be
governed and influenced by this ques-
tion. am not an engineer. and would
not presume to speak to you Of er-
gineering problems, so il is this hu
..sL a.
deal.
1.-The local situation, which Ineed
not dwell on il such that il is diff
cult to establish that mutual conf
dence in any one section or agency in
the Valley that Is necessary to secure
that union and cooperation necessary.
Our only hope Of an early union Of
these forces is through some well
known and established outside agency
that can command universal respect
and confidence. Due to tho work Of
the U. s. Reclamation Service in the
Valley. and the reputation which this
splendid governmental organization has
throughout the country and the edu-
cational campaign which has been car
ried on in the alley, feel safe in
saying that 1871 Of the farmers Of the
Valley. and probably 9"os are willing
to entrust the solving Of our flood and
irrigation problems TO the government
Here then. is the logical agency for
uniting the Valley. and If we are to
secure anything like early action. we
must utilize this cementing force al
ready created and build on IL.
"My proposal therefore, hy which
your organization, and the one which
! have the honor to represent, can get
together ard each cooperate in for
Continued on Page Two)