Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-10-31

That the Valleys vision Of q t~hirty-foot harbor at
Point Isabel cannot be materialized without the organ
szstion OF q navigation district is now generally con-
ceded by Valley residents. For almost twenty years
leaders in the deep water movement have tried other
avenues TO secure q port. As a result Of their efforts
the l6-foot channel is now nearing completion, and will
doubtless prove Of great value to the Valley, but the
real Eoal-a t~hirty-foot ~cAannel-will not be achieved
until a navigation district Is organized and funeticning.
There Is a growing belief among farmers, business
men and developers that further extensive develop
ment Of the Valleys natural resources is virtually i'm
possible without lower freight rates which a deep
water port al Point Isabel would assure. The Valley is
fully cognizant Of the fact that along the Atlantic
seabosrd are immense markets for Valley production,
markets which could consume all the fruit and vege-
ables the million and more fertile acres of the Valley
could produce. There is but one way 20 gain access TO
those markets upon a basis that would assure profits
TO the Valley growers and that is through water trans
portation and the low rates water-borne freights
would assure.
California citrus fruit Is now practically dominat-
ing the eastern markets, due to the fact that water
competition has reduced the rate to the point where
fruit from California can be delivered in New York
at SO cents per box less than the Valley fruit grower
is forced to pay. That so cents per box represents the
growers profit, a profit which would assure prosperi-
ty for every citrus fruit grower in the Lower Rio
Grande Valley. The Valley now has approximately
100000 citrus fruit trees. all Of which will come into
bearing within four years. Valley citrus fruit ship
ments will in a few years rival those Of either Cali.
fornia or Florida. Millions Of dollars have been in.
vested in these orchards, and If they are to return the
maximum profits to the growers, profits which will
assure the prosperity OF the industry, rates must be
secured which will at least give the Valley fruit the
opportunity to compete with that Of California and
florida in the big markets of the East.
The truck grower, the cotton grower are interested as
much In the development of q deep water port at Point
Isabel as the fruit grower. There is hardly a COM
modify produced in the Lower Rio Grande Valley that
souId not benefit through the establishment of water
transportation, and the benefits that would accrue to
the Valley as a whole are almos. inealculable.
Millions OF dollars are being expended In the con-
struetion Of highways; additional millions are going
into new business structure, homes, schools and
churches. Why should not the Valley put a few thous-
ands into a deep water port, a project that would as
cure big returns upon the investments ALREADY made
and would virtually assure maximum development of
the entire lower border area7
The deep water port ut Point Isabel is the most
important proposition before the people of the Valley
today. There is but one way to solve the various
problems connected with the project. and that is BY
the organization of q navigation district. The Valley
this year will lose millions Of dollars by not having
the deep water port available 10 handle its production,
and every possible effort should be made TO organize
and complete the port without unnecessary delay.