Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-08

N1oibAUutu rum hakN ohtsl
unselfish zeal and energy of the late
Commodore Cobolini in keeping alive
public interest in the deep water
proposition, and the gathering of
data pertaining to the same. The
value Of his work in those respects
was far beyond his compensation.
Last year a Valley-wide port com
mittee was organized with the idea
that the whole Valley would cooper
ate in obtaining deep water at Braz-
~os-Santiagg, and first Commodore Co
bolini and later X. b. Creager were
the active influences therein. 1t was
originally contemplated that a dis
trict of four counties. embracing
Cameron. Hidalgo, Willacy and Starr
should be organized. with a total
valuation of more than one hundred
millions of dollars, and issue bonds
10 meet all government requirements.
Later IL was found that the present
law did not authorize the o~rganiza-
ton of a four-county district. and
the benefits TO Willacy and Starr be
ing more remote, they were dropped
from the plan. The idea Of a two
county district was then put forward.
embracing Cameron and Hidalgo
counties. In the meantime the gov
eminent engineers had made a favor
able report recommending an appro-
priation Of a million dollars BY the
government. and a maintenance ex.
penditure of Sl50,000 per year. con
ditioned upon the Valley putting up
100000 IN cash, and obtaining q
small area on the south end or Padre
Island, and another on the north end
of Brazos Island. and 200 feet square
for offices at Point Isabel.
Harlingen Out
For many months the Harrington
community has been working on the
proposition OF deep water in the
Arroyo Colorado. connecting with
the Gulf. and have organized a navi-
cation district embracing parts Of
Cameron and. Willacy counties. and
have voted and issued $4,000 0 OF
bonds. Their present plan seems 20
contemplate a channel directly from
the mouth Of the Arroyo across he
Laguna Madre to Padre island. and
through Padre island to the Gulf.
They have displayed a great deal Of
energy IN the development Of their
project. and have seemingly solidi-
fled their local public opinion in
support Of their plans. This district
embraces the towns of Harrington
and Rio Hondo. and the agricultural
areas tributary thereto. including a
considerable area Of the San Be-
nito commissioners precinct and the
Point Isabel commissioners precinct
as well as that Of Harrington.
The proximity Of La Fcria and
Santa Rosa 70 H~arlingen and the de-
STABILITY Of having deep water read
lily accessible seems also to have in
spired the people of those communi-
ties 70 support the Harlingen plan.
The Arroyo navigation district. to-
gether with the areas supporting
that district. include more than one
third of the total valuations OF
Cameron county.
No Action in Hidalgo
In the meantime Hidalgo countv
has its time and energy diverted BY
a political campaign, and the com
mittees heretofore appointed in that
county 70 procure its cooperation,
for the most part reported back that
the present is not a favorable time
to secure any action there on a bond
issue designated to aid in the de-
%velopment Of deep water al Brazos
Santiago.
The total valuations that would
have been available in the four
county district exceed one hundred
millions Of dollars. The valuations
Of Cameron and Hidalgo counties
run above ninety millions Of dollars.
The valuations left in Cameron
county after deducting the areas
above mentioned. which support the
Harrington proposition. do not u
above twenty-five millions Of dol
lars. more than two-thirds OF which
Is in Brownsville. and its support
ing territory. Hence the citizens Of
Brownsville and this territory are
faced with this proposition: They
must pay the major part Of the bill
necessary 10 meet the government
requirements instead Of only about
o~ne-seventh thereof az originally
contemplated.
Recommend District
Your committee was instructed
TO work out a program which We
consider most advantageous to
Brownsville. and after an exhaustive
study Of the facts. recommend the
following: That Brownsville organ
ize a navigation district and issue
bonds sufficient TO meet the gov
eminent requirements az Brazos-
Santiago and construct a channel %
correct with deep water At the pas
approximately on a straight line to-
ward Brownsville. terminating near
the end Of the pavement on the II
Jardin boulevard.
we find that 3. G. Stegmsn and
others. more than twenty years ago
had a survey made along this very
proposed route. and that owe most
Of the distance excavation will bsEin