San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-03

! other cities not so well situated geo
graphically, that are actively bidding
for the route while we are doing moth
| ing.
In a few years the short line from
Mexico City to Tampico and New
York via some Texas point will be a
reality. 1t will be the favored route
of countless Americans, tourists and
commercial travellers and those winter
visitors seeking milder climates.
In the interim, the governments or
the United States and Of Mexico will
have worked out division OF the
waters Of the Rio Grande, an in
evitable contingency. Dams will be
built to contain the maximum flood
waters of the mighty Rio Del Norte.
More than 100000 acres on each side
of the river will be under intensive Gull
tivation.
The population will be multiplied
many times over what it is today, new
towns will dot the area, vast trade
will be created and the gateway to all
this immense commerce and wealth
will be San Antonio-or some other
Texas city. 1t is obvious that unless
men Of vision and enterprise arise. We
can not hope to be so favored. This
is too great a prize TO be awarded us
without an effort.
KEY TO ROUTE.
In the concession obtained last year
from the Mexican government for this
proposed line, clause was inserted,
making it optional to build the branch
line from San Fernando TO Rio Grande
City in five years or the line from San
Fernando to Brownsville in IL years.
the optilon being that either line could
be substituted for the other, the time
limits remaining. however; as fixed.
The ground is almost level from MO
Grande City to Tampico and two years
would be ample tire TO construct tne
line. IF some other group OF men IN
some other city or in some railroad
having interests elsewhere. take over
the concession TO build this Tampico
line By reason Of San Antonio's failure
to comply with the terms, it is perfect
" obvious that the route, San Fer
nando 20 Brownsville will be con-
strucied as the first unit and for years
San Antonio will have to sit idly by
and see the immense traffic flowing
elsewhere. It is something that cost
what it may, We can not afford to do.
The key to the entire railroad situa-
ton. as see it, is in the construction
Of these branch lines in the valley OF
the Rio Grande and IL seems 10 me
that we are yitally interested that we
should be spurred TO immediate and
effective action.
OTHERS WAITING.
Time is operating against San An
tonic. At least one and possibly other
great transcontinertaf lines are pa
tiently waiting for San Antonio 10
pass this concession back to the Mexi-
can government. They were our ac-
tive competitors wb.n we we're asking
Cor this concession and we won out.
The line it is proposed 10 build is
feasible from every standpoint, has
every future possibility on its side and
will act as a stimuiant to other rail-
roads in giving San Antonio access 10
this great trade territory. 1t seems to
me that San Antonio's great destiny
is inseparably wrapped mp with the
development Of this great trade en-
pire which ! have outlined as above
and ] can not conceive Of our BUSH
ness men allowing this situation. TO
pass unchallenged. The next few
years, unquestionably will determine
what city in Texas will dominate this
vast domain,