Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-11-10
Water Transportation for
the Valley

The benefits which will accrue 10 the Lower Flo
Grsnde Valley as . result Of the Intra-coastal Canal
convention are inealculable. Not only did the conven-
ton serve to arouse local interest in water transporter
cured for the Point Isabel harbor and the lower see
ton Of the intracoastsl canal project new allies Who
will prove invaluable to the Valleys fight for deep
water and lower transportation rates.
From the beginning % the convention to adjourn
msnt the Valleys transportation problem was ever up
permost in the minds Of the delegates. They saw here
IN the Valley a land of great potentialities in which de-
velopment is being retarded By the lack Of cheap trans
portaticn. The fact was brought home 20 them that
the Lower Rio Grande Valley has greater natural re-
sources than any equal area in the South. and tina. the
Valleys port and the lower Gulf extension Of the intra-
coastal canal are necessary adjuncts 70 round out a
complete program 81 water transportation for the Gulf
section % Texas and the Mississippi basin.
Hundreds of Valley leaders attended the various
meetings and heard the addresses OF those who have
devoted years to the study Of the transportation prob
lens OF the nation, the Mississippi basin, the Texas
Gulf coast and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. From
this convention they have derived the Inspiration neces-
sary 70 promote an aggressive drive for the opening Of
the Valley port and the construction Or the intracoastal
canal. In every Valley ~ommunity there are today lead
ers determined that their respective communities shall
extend full cooperation in the solution Of the Valleys
transportation problem. Prior to the convention many
Of them were lethargic; they realized that a deep water
harbor and waterways would aid Valley development,
but they had not fully grasped the fact that these are
absolutely essential 20 future development and pros
perity. The con vention served 20 present this fact to
them in a manner which has enlisted them unanimous
" in the ranks Of workers for the solution Of the funds-
mental basis Of ali major problems OF this section
water transportation.
The Valley owes a debt Of gratitude 10 those lead.
ers who secured this convention for the Valley and
who worked SO industriously and energetically to as
sure its success. They have achieved more than was
ever deemed possible. They have unified the Valley
for water transportation and have gained for the Val
ley allies who will prove extremely valuable when the
battle for the thirty-foot harbor at Point Isabel and the
extension Of the intracoastal canal from Corpus Christi
70 the mouth Of the Rio Grande is carried to Washing
ton.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley - proud Of its
achievements. and it is proud Of the leadership which
has made those achievements possible. In this battle
for water transportation they have. almost al the out
set. unified the Valley into a compact, aggressive force
and have interested the leaders In water transportation
throughout the nation in the Valleys projects. This
in itself is one Of the greatest achievements in Valley
history, and has served 10 create throughout the Val
ley utmost confidence In those who are directing the
movement for the port and canal projects.