Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-09-06

county Judge 0. c. Dancy. the Valleys most OF
rimistic dealer IN futures proposes that Cameron
county employ q competent port engineer to make =
survey Of the Brszos Santiago harbor project for the
purpose Of ascertainine what lands must be acquired
for terminus and other facilities and also arranging
general plans FOR the port.
The suggestion Is worthy OF careful consideration
b. the members Of the commissioners court. IL is
typical Of Judge Dancy's propensity for looking for
ward and making preparations for the future; to pre-
pare fer contingencies before they arise. While il is
rot distinctly 4 function Of the county to protect a
proposed navigation district, yet il i obviously to the
interest of Cameron county to make such provisions
The commissioners court has already taken action
along this line in securing an option from the federal
government on the Point Isabel wireless station site,
an option which will be exercised when the navigation
district j. formed. the property to be turned over TO
the district az the price paid the government, $4,000.
This property. when the port Is completed, doubtless
will be worth several times the option price, but due
70 the "futuristic" wisdom Of Cameron county's COM
missioners the district will be enabled to acquire the
property at a small fraction Of its future value.
Employment Of a competent port engineer will cost
the taxpayers Of Cameron county several thousand
dollars, but investment Of this comparatively small sum
BY the county will probably save the same taxpayers
several times that amount after the navigation district
is organized. The engineer must by necessity be en-
ployed either BY the county or the navigation district,
and the most intelligent policy would be to have the
surveys completed and options secured by the time
the district is organized and ready to take over the
port project.
SO far as known. owners Of the property which
mast be acquired BY the district have evidenced no
intention OF placing an e~xorbitant price upon such
properties. but il would be advisable for Cameron
county. as was done in the case Of the wireless station
site. to secure options on such sites as may be desig-
mated by a competent port engineer.
1t Is very necessary that a port engineer Of proved
ability be secured. lore money will be required to
eemPloy an engineer Of experience and proved ability,
but the cost is infinitesimal in comparison with the
loss which might accrue through employment Of an in
experienced man. In handling highway and flood con-
troll work Cameron county has secured the services Of
experienced engineers. men who have made a life
study Of those special branches Of the profession. ana
az a result the county has saved countless thousands
81 dollars. Port engineering is a highly specialized
branch Of the profession and it Il As essential that IN
expert be employed in that work as Il is that experts
be employed on highways or flood control.
Surely the great majority Of Cameron county tax
payers VIII approve the recommendation offered bv
county Judge Dancy. Plans for the Valley port must
be formulated, sites secured for terminals, wharves and
other facilities, and If the suggestio nthat the county
inaugurate this work IS accepted Il means that consid-
cradle progress will have been achieved on the mort
project BY the time the organization Of a district has
been completed.