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

Inc Recommendation Of the port committee Of the
Brownsville Chamber Of Commerce that the Browns.
vile section proceed without delay to organize a nayi-
CATION district to meet the requirements Of the federal
government on the Brazos Santiago project and con.
struct a ship channel from B:azos Santiago to a point
about six miles from the city has struck a responsive
cnord among the business men and civic leaders OF
Brownsville.
1t appears to he the consensus Of Brownsville resi-
cents that If this section is to finance the harbor pro-
'ee'' the port should be located at Brownsville. and
tnere can be no question Of the justice Of that opinion.
The cost, as estimated by the port committed, would
include approximately s720,OOO for dredging of the
channel from BRACES Santiago to the east line of I'll
1ardln. Approximately SO per cent Of the area to be
.raversed IS at or below sea level. The cost would be
lniiniteslmal 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
Brazos 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
accruing 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
De 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 il the Valley
IS 70 gain relief from high freight rates BY securing 4
NNNP ate port IL u incumbent upon Brownsville 70
meet the conditions of the government and finance the
port, a duty Brownsville will accept.
The time in which 10 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 It is incumbent upon local interest to be prepared
70 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 70 Valley interests.
The Valley has too much at stake 10 permit the
teopardizing of the harbor project. It is the general
opinion Of those in close touch with the situation that
II ample time were az 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 10 run the risk Of any refusal. nor would il be to
the interests q 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 rs efficiently. If not
more 50. than under the original plan. It will bring
the pert closer to every section Of the Valley ard viii
assure public control of every port facility.
The recommendation of the Chamber Of Commerce
port committee should be Immediately followed by u
call for an election to organize the district embracing
the entire Brownsville section. the proposed bond issue
to be submitted in connection with the organization
vote. According to the committee estimates approxi-
mately s~2000.000 will be required to meet the condi-
lions of the government, construct the channel and pro.
vide the necessary port facilities, these bonds to be is
sued as required. Brownsville has ample bonding ca
pacity 20 finance the project. and in view az the bene-
tits which will accrue to the entire Valley and the ad-
vsntages Brownsville will derive from the channel and
port. the voters are expected to be practically unani-
nous in backing the finance program.