Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1927-08-14

Valley Expects
Quick Action on
Water Division

The designation of the Mexican
government of the three members
of the Mexican section of the inter-
national commission for the purpose
Of reaching an understanding with
the American government relative to
the equitable division Of the waters
of the Rio Grande, Tia Juana and
Colorado rivers, indicates an early
settlement of the problem of inter
national waters, was the opinion ex-
pressed Saturday by many Valley
citizens who have kept in close con-
tact with the situation.
The American section OF the CON-
mission, composed Of Elwood S. Mead,
U. ,. reclamation commissioner;
General Lansing S. Beach Of the
army engineers, and W. Z. Anderson,
Valley engineer of San Benito, was
appointed in 1928, following the
passage by congress of an appropri-
alton Of S24 900 for the purpose Of
financing the work of the commits
sion and necessary Surveys Of the
Rio Grande. The original intention
was TO confine the work Of the COM
mission TO the Rio Grande, but dur
ing the last session of congress its
scope was extended TO cover the
Colorado and the Tia Juana in Lower
California, in which streams both the
American and Mexican governments
have an interest.
Appropriation Fails
The original appropriation extended
only to July /, 1927, and owing to
the failure of the deficiency ap-
preparation bill at the last session
the commission was left without
funds, though less than $1,000 of the
original appropriation had been ex-
pended. However the original ap-
preparation and an additional ap-
preparation expected to be made
available shortly after congress con-
venes.
Following the creation of the AM
erican section of the commission, the
State Department requested Mexico
to take similar action, and though
this request was repeated several
times, no appointments were an
nounced until three years after the
American commissioners were named.
Despite the fact the Mexican gov
eminent did not Immediately respond
to the request of the State Depart
ment, the American commission
worked steadily up to July Of this
year. and Mr.. Anderson has compiled
considerable valuable data relative
to all three streams. Due to the
failure of Mexico TO appoint com
no effort was made to
secure funds for the work after the
appropriation failed, but il is under
stood the necessary funds to carry
on the work Of the commission will
be provided Immediately. The work
Of the commission had reached the
point where practically nothing could
be done until Mexico had taken ac-
tion.
IL is believed the Mexican commits
sioners will accede to the American
theory that the question of equable
use Of water from all three streams
should be considered simultaneously,
and that they will recommend that
all be included in one treaty. On the
Rio Grande the major portion Of the
flow originates in Mexican territory
and on the Colorado the position is
reversed. the major portion originat-
ing in the United States.
A thorough survey of the Rio
Grande below Fort Quitman has been
made by Mr.. Anderson. and IL Is un-
derstood the Mexican boundary
has made n similar sur
vey and abundant data will be avail
able for the joint commission. All
necessary data on the Tia Juana and
Colorado is also available, and 1t is
believed the physical features Of the
streams has been sufficiently deter
mined that there will be no delay
from that source.
The members Of the Mexican sec
tion on the international commission
are Gustavo Serrano, member Of the
international boundary commission;
Gavier Majorada, an engineer who
has had extensive experience in con-
nection with irrigation projects in
northern Mexico, and Frederico Ro-
cha. who has been connected with the
Mexican Department OF State sew
eral years. Both Serrano ard Me-
jorsda are well known in the Valley,
having frequently visited this section
in connection with their official du-
ties, and have participated in several
conferences with the Am
erican members.