Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-09

The recommendation Of the port committee of the
Brownsville Chamber Of Commerce that the Browns
VILE section proceed without delay to organize a navi-
CATION district to meet the requirements Of the federal
government on the BRACES Santiago project and con-
struct a ship channel from BRACES Santiago to a point
about six miles from the city has struck a responsive
chord among the business men and civic leaders Of
Brownsville.
II appears TO be the consensus Of Brownsville resi-
dents that II this section is 10 finance the harbor pro-
1ect. the pert should be located at Brownsville. and
there can be no question Of the justice Of that opinion.
The cost, as estimated by the port committee, would
Include approximately $4,000 for dredging OF the
channel from Brazos Santiago to the east line Of FL
Jardin. Approximately so per cent Of the area to be
traversed Is at or below sea level. The cost would be
infinitesimal in comparison with the benefits which
would accrue to the entire Valley. This project would
IN no wise interfere with any other project contem-
plating connection with the Brownsville channel at
BRACES Santiago.
For nearly half a century Brownsville has labored
upon the harbor plan as a Valley project. That every
section Of the Valley will participate in the benefits
aceruing from a deep water port is obvious. Browns
vile has been absolutely unselfish in this, proposing
that the entire Valley aid in financing the harbor 70
be located at Point Isabel, the burden of cost TO be
distributed in proportion to the benefits received.
For various and sundry reasons this plan has failed 10
materialize; and it is now evident that if the Valley
is TO gain relief from high freight rates By securing A
deep water port II is incumbent upon Brownsville 10
meet the conditions of the government and finance the
port, a duty Brownsville will accept.
The time in which to organize the district and make
all necessary preparations to meet the governments
requirements is brief. The harbor bill will pass con-
gress during the short session beginning in December.
and il is incumbent upon local interest to be prepared
10 fulfill the conditions as soon as the measure is
passed. Any delay may mean the loss Of five to ten
years IN completion OF the project, and this would re-
suit IN a direct loss Of from one to two millions Of dol
lars annually to y Valley interests.
The Valley has too much at stake 10 permit the
1eopardizing Of the harbor project. It is the general
opinion Of those in close touch with the situation that
If ample time were at the disposal Of the harbor pro-
ponents the entire Valley could be lined up for the
original project. But the Valley interests cannot af-
ford to run the risk OF any refusal, nor would il Be 10
the interests Of the project to force into a district any
large number Of unwilling taxpayers.
BY locating the port in the environs OF Brownsville
the entire Valley will be served as efficiently. if not
more SO, than under the original plan. II will bring
the port closer to every section Of the Valley and win
assure public control Of every port facility.
The recommendation OF the Chamber Of Commerce
port committee should be Immediately followed by a
the entire Brownsville section, the proposed bond issue
to be submitted in connection with the organization
vote. According TO the committee estimates approxi-
mately 100000 will be required 70 meet the condi-
lions of the government, construct the channel and pro-
vide the necessary port facilities. these bonds 10 Re Isl
sued as required. Brownsville has ample bonding ca
paeity to finance the project. and in view Of the bene-
fits which will accrue to the entire Valley and the adj
vsntages Brownsville will derive from the channel and
port, the voters are expected to be practically unani-
nous in backing the finance program.