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

county Judge o. c. Dancy, the Valleys most Op-
rimistic dealer IL futures" proposes that Camercn
county employ a competent port engineer TO make .
survey Of the Brazos Santiago harbor project for the
purpose of ascertainine what lands must be acquired
for terminals and other facilities and also arranging
general plans for he port.
The suggestion is worthy OF careful consideration
By the members OF the commissioners court. 1t is
typical Of Judge Dancys propensity for looking for
ward and making preparations for the future; TO pre-
pare for contingencies before they arise. While il is
rot distinctly n function Of the county to protect a
proposed navigation district, yet il Is 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 is formed. the property TO be turned over to
the district Al 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 viii 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 MS known. owners Of the property which
must 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, 70 secure options on such sites as may be desig-
mated By a competent port engineer.
Il . 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 or an in
experienced man. In handling highway and flood con-
troi work Cameron county has secured the services of
experienced engineers, men who have made q life
study Of those special branches Of the profession, and
az q result the county has saved countless thousands
81 dollars. Port engineering is a highly specialized
branch q the profession and Is is as essential that IN
expert be employed in that work Is it is that experts
be employed on highways or flood control,
surely the great majority Of Cameron county tax
payers will approve the recommendation offered ~
County Judge Dancy. Plans for the Valley port must
De formulated. sites secured for terminals. wharvez and
other facilities and IL the suggestio nthat the county
inaugurate this work is accepted Il means that consid-
cradle progress will have been achieved on the mort
project ~ the time the organization Of n district has
been completed.