Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-12-19
HARLINCEN

LrAOIE NQt HlCECub QtfNANkA41lt III hl1
Rio Grande Valley assumed any
form. IL occurred to the people
Of the Valley that the Arroyo Colo
rado could be used ms a ship channel,
or that there we're any other posi-.
bility Of a port in this territory, ex-
cept in the neighborhood of Brazos
pass. This, therefore, accounts Tor
the attitude of the people for many
years toward the development OF
BRACES Pass and a harbor for that To-
cslity. The representations made TO
the committee that the people OF tie
Valley wanted a port near Point
Isabel, and thought that the govern
ment owed them assistance in the dis
charge Of a moral obligation, we are
convinced was made in good faith,
but with reference to the attitude OF
the people of the Valley ms II existed
prior to the organization OF this dis
trict. The Arroyo Colorado Naviga-
ton District was organized and start
Is work and investigation while the
agitation for a Valley port was at its
warmest. At the time the Rivers
and Harbors committee indicated
that IL would recommend to congress
Sl.OoO.0O0 toward a Valley port. itehad
no knowledge OF the development
taking place here in connection with
our project, because we had not pro-
ceeded far enough with our investi-
cations TO be in a position to make
any positive representations TO the
committee. Also because our prog
ress was interrupted by a law suit
seeking to invalidate the district ana
the bonds voted. Matters were de-
layed until this litigation was fought
out, which resulted favorably for our
district. We employed General Besch
70 advise us on the possibilities OF
the Arroyo. and a copy Of his report
Il submitted in connection with this
letter. There had been much infor-
rnsticn given in reference 10 the pos
sibilities of the Arroyo prior 10 the
five General Peach made his report.
srd on the publication Of this re-
royt sentiment here in the Valley
erystallized in favor Of the pert on
the Arroyo.
As a positive proof Of the correct
neess Of the foregoing statement, We
hsg to call your attention 10 the
fact that when IL was reported mere
IN the Valley that the government
would appropriate si,000.o0O toward
ivy Point Isabel project, provided
certain local Requirements were
made, an attempt was made: I'd
10 organize Starr, Hidslgo. Nillscy
rad Cameron counties into a navIga-
tion district, which district was 20
meet the government requirements.
Iris proposition met with so much
question. the the effort was
rhan1oned. CD An effort was made
10 organize Cameron and Hidslgo
counties into a navigation district
10 raise the money TO meet the gov
ernment requirements. and this pro-
roral failed; and, cd Effort was
made to organize Cameron county
into 4 navigation district 10 meet the
government requirements, ard this
~rropnossl also failed. The reason Of
the failure Of these efforts, we as
sure YOU, was on account ot the fact
that the people of the Valley were
convinced Of the practicability and
feasibility of a port or the Arroyo,
ard that same would be Of much
greater service to the Valley This
conclusion vas reached on account u
the central location for the proposed
port and a land-locked harbor. II
necessary, we could submit TO the
committee positive and uncontro-
veritable proof Of what we claim is
attitude Of the entire Valley, except
the locality OF Brownsville. When
these proposals proved Intellectual,
then the people Of Brownsville un-
dertook, and are now in the process
Of organizing a navigation district.
comprised of Brownsville and loose
contiguous territory Now, we can
at this time, think Of no more posi-
tive proof Of the correctness Of VI
statement, than the report made to
Major Fox, in connection with the
hearing on the extension of a chan
mel to a point near Brownsville. Tex
as. In this statement IL is shown
that the people Of Brownsville and .
small portion Of Cameron county
were seeking this extension Of this
channel down to n point near
Brownsville, for which they expected
20 pay, because the rest Of the VAL
ley had refused to co-opeate finsn-
cially in meeting the requirements
because IL carried the channel to the
bottom Of the United States.
IL Acg LUCEC1OAcs ClE1I lHdt tue HtC-
pie of Brownsville concluded il was
necessary to make IN . Brownsville
project and are now seeking 10 OBJ
tain q government appropriation IN
aid Of that project on the ground
that IL is in discharge Of a neral OBJ
legation to the people Of the Tellsy
This district represents 10 your com.
mittte that IL the government Is
willing to appropriate funds in aid
Of a Valley port, that the sentiment
Of the Valley now is in favor OF the
expenditure Of that money on tn,
Arroyo Colorado, and we ask tho
consideration of your committee on
this point.
(3). The Arroyo Colorado Nsviga.
lion District has now on hand $780,
10000 in cash, the proceeds OF
bond issue. and is being to carry out
the objects for which the district
was created. We hereby represent
that the people Of this district will
meet any further requirements nee
essary for the successful carrying
out of the purposes of this distric:.
We have applied to the war depart.
msnt for the privilege 20 make q
cut through Padre Island nearly due
east of the mouth of the Arroyo. IN