Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-03-16

The International commission, appointed by the
American and Mexican governments for the purpose Of
establishing a basis for distribution OF the waters Of
the streams in which the two countries are jointly in
terested. is now engaged in n survey Of the Lower Rio
Grande Valley. The commission has been in session
since February rs. holding their first meeting at Ell
Paso. Following the completion Of their survey Of the
Rio Grande. the commission will proceed to California
where similar surveys Of the Colorado and Tia Juaua
rivers, both international streams. will be made. The
findings and recommendations Of this commission are
expected 70 constitute q basis upon which a treaty will
be negotiated between the United States and Mexico
establishing the distribution Of water upon an equita-
bic basis.
The Lower Rio Grande Valley is greatly interested
IN the work this commission is called upon to perform.
That the future OF the Valley rests to a great extent
mon the basis Of distribution Is generally recognized.
IRRIGATION water Is the life blood Of Valley prosperity,
the basis upon which the major portion Of the present
DEVELOPMENT is established. And future development
will be gagged by the available water supply. There are
hundreds Of thousands Of fertile acres merely await
ing the magic touch Of Rio Grande waters TO effect the
Transformation into highly productive agricultural
areas. but this Transformation cannot be effected until
! sound basis Of distribution Of those waters has been
established.
One factor IN connection with this work which has
r;ven the irrigation interests Of the Lower Rio Grande
Valley much satisfaction Is the type Of men selected
Nv both Mexico and the United States 70 work out the
solution Of the problem. The Mexican commission,
consisting of Gustavo p. Serrano, Xavier Maiarada ami
Amanda Santacruz. is composed Of men who made an
intensive study of irrigation conditions along the Mex
lean border from Brownsville to San Diego, California,
and IL is doubtful IL the Mexican government could have
nieked men more familiar with the problem or better
aualified to find the solution The American section
81 the Joint commission is composed Of General Ian
sing A. Beach, EIwood Mead, head Of the reclamation
service. and W. Z. Anderson, Valley engineer. who has
devoted years to the study Of the Rio Grande and its
problems. The irrigation interests Of the Valley are
confident that with such a commission the interests II
hoth Mexico and the United States will be well pro-
tected. and that any recommendations they may make
will meet the approval Of both governments as well a
the interests vitality affected.
For twenty years the Lower Rio Grande Valley has
awaited action by the two governments on the ques-
tjon Of equitable water division. Time and again ef-
forts have been made to secure an international CON-
mission to undertake this work. but all efforts were
rr.uecessful until President Gales, responding to the
r~-ent requests OF American interests, appointed the
rnemhers Of the Mexican section and urged that the
so,k Be undertaken without delay. The Lower Rio
cv.nde valley greatly appreciates the work the Mexican
~oxe~ument and its representatives on the commission
~ doinr IN behalf OF the irrigation interests on the
s.ySer. and che Valley awaits the final report and rec
n~wendations Of the commission. with firm confidence