Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-12-29
Hoover For Flood Control
And WATERWAYS

In his recent speech before the Mississippi Valley
Association, Secretary Herbert Hoover left no doubt
in the minds Of his auditors relative to his view on
national financing Of flood control and the develop
ment OF rational waterways. The fact that Mr.. Hooger
will probably be the republican candidate for presi-
dent and that his views do not coincide with those
expressed by President Coolidge in the latter's recent
message to congress has in no way changed Mr..
Hoover's opinion relative to these vital needs Of the
nation.
II believe the whole Of the United States is
unanimous that we must undertake such engineering
works as will give security-not only now but for the
future" Secretary Hoover said. "Our people have ar
rived at this conclusion because Of their warm sympa-
thy for the welfare Of their fellow citizens. But,
viewed from the more narrow point Of view, the de-
straetion Of property is the loss OF the entire nation
il is not solely the loss Of the individual sufferers
The loss Of several millions Of acres Of crops in this
flood deprived the American people Of just that much
goods which they might have otherwise consumed or
exported, and again every worker and farmer IN our
country to some degree was a loser through the de-
creased buying power Of the farmers themselves
Every investor in railways and industries in the South
lost something"
Concerning the very vital question Of water trans
portation and the necessity for utilizing TO the full
the waterways Of the nation, Secretary Hoover said:
Another Of our problems requiring immediate
consideration Is the increase Of equipment upon the
rivers. We need to develop this question in such
fashion that it shall ultimately be taken over by pri-
waite enterprise because in the long run it is through
private competition only that we will have efficient
use Of the waterways. The government undertook to
pioneer the equipment OF a modernized river through
the barge line. The pioneering stage is not over and
may not be over for some time. We must devise ways
and means of larger equipment and devise the pro-
gram for its ultimate taking over By private enter
prise"
These views OF Secretary Hoover will strike a re-
sponsive chord throughout the South and West, but
will not materially add to his popularity in the East
where political leaders do not fully appreciate the
needs Of the rest Of the nation. Hoovers assertion
that flood control is fundamentally a national prob
lem is generally accepted, and his declaration that
when the pioneering stage on the nations waterways
is over the equipment should ultimately be taken over
by private enterprise indicates that the secretary is
fully cognizant Of the fact that the competition Of
private enterprise serves the nation far better than
government ownership.
In the event Herbert Hoover is elected president
the policies he has outlined in connection with flood
control and development Of the nations water resourc-
es will doubtless become the national policies. What
this would mean 10 the South and West, and ultimate
ly 70 the East, il very obvious 10 those who have made
a study Of the situation. II would bring to the ma
ton such prosperity as il has never before enjoyed,
assuring maximum development Of agriculture and
industry and a wider and more even distribution Of
The national wealth.