Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-04-19
I'm OUR
| |VALLEY
Two OPPORTUNITIES now exist,
u ~f -,

either of which may result in
the entry of the Southern Pacific in.
to the Lower Rio Grande Valley
One way lies through the Inter
state Commerce Commission. which
on May Z next will re-hear the case
at Washington as n result of prema-
ture publication of the recommenda-
tion of Commissioner Wocdlock fol-
lowing the first hearing in January.
The other way lies. through con-
gress which now has before it bill
amending the transportation act of
1920 so that railroads which propose
extensions of existing lines wholly
within a state may make such exten-
sions without the necessity of appeal
ing to the Interstate Commerce Com
mission.
Senator Earle B. Mayfield intro
duced the amendment, which has
been reported out Of committee. II
may reach a vote soon.
John N. Garner, who represents the
Lower Rio Grande Valley in the low
er house of congress. has announced
his support of the Mayfield measure.
Representative Garner is a power in
the house, and Is not without great
influence in the senate.
Other Texas representatives have
also announced that they will sup
port the measure.
The consensus seems to be that the
paragraph in the transportation act
which gave to the Interstate Com
merce Commission such great powers
over an important channel of de-
velopment got through without pro-
per realization of its importance.
In the undeveIopcd, or partially de-
veloped sections of the west and
southwest it is going to continue diff
ficult for the people to understand
why Washington is given such un-
limited powers to prevent or permit
railroad building and extension.
In the east, the southeast and 9TH
er districts where development has
reached the over-developd stage, in
railroad construction, it perhaps
will not be so difficult. Being sat
isfied with conditions, they are not
greatly bothered over unknown con-
ditions in the west and southwest
Perhaps congress will correct this
situation. Then again IL may not.
The open road at this time lies
through the Interstate Commerce
Com mission.
The commission has reopened its
EARS TO the appeals from the Lower
Rio Grande Valley. II is presumed
that 1t will go into this second hear
ing with n mind entirely open. 1t
will listen to the facts.
In the meantime leaders in the
public's effort 10 bring additional
railroad facilities TO the Lower Rio
Grande Valley are busily engaged in
rounding up their case to be present
ed in the form os briefs which must
be filed not later than April 80.
Commissioner of Agriculture
George B. Terrell at Austin has
drawn up and had printed a brief
which will be presented urging the
granting OF the permit. The Texas
Railroad Commission also has COM
mitted itself in favor of the exten-
sion.
The chambers Of commerce of the
Valley which have been active in the
matter are continuing their activity.
No bit of evidence that may be use
full in the presentation OF the Val
ley's case is being overlooked.
The Valley was sorely dsappoint-
ed when the nature Of Commissioner
Woodlock's recommendation became
public few weeks ago. But disap-
pointment did not make for discour-
agement.. The fight continues, and
Valley people will continue the fight
into every field until additional rail
road facilities are assured. III de-
nied it, they will never understand
why.
The Brownsville Chamber Of Com
merce begins its drive to raise sl5.-
900 for support Of the radio station,
land also to create fund for pub
Ilicity purposes for Brownsville.
Primarily, the fund is intended to
augment the resources Of the Cham
|, per of Commerce, which now obtains
hall its revenue from a city tax, but
(which is not sufficient to carry on
the work that the chamber wishes to
(do.
Corpus Christi is now working on
p budget of $4,000 for its chamber
OF commerce. A large part Of that
amount will be used in display ad-
vertising telling Of the opportunities
offered by Corpus Christi. That ad-
| vcrtising will be placed in news
papers and magazines over the coun-
try.
Brownsville. with all the oppor-
. tunities that Corpus Christi has. is
asking for $4,000 for its business,
| development. manufacturing, profes-
sional and other interests.
The chamber is handicapped by
! its present income. 1t needs greater
opportunity.
Citizens should come in just as
strongly as they can The return
Continued on Page 2)