Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-22
I'm OUR
ALLEY

c. H. SWALLOW, pioneer develop
or of Hidalgo county, discusses HI
dalgo county opinion in connection
with the proposed four-county navi-
cation district, in a letter to The
Herald.
Expresses a belief that Browns-
VILE and Point Isabel should form
q navigation district and pay for de-
velopment Of q harbor.
Points out that Harlingen formed
d district for its proposed harbor
development.
Mr.. Swallow, why should Browns
willie alone pay for development Of
TIRE Brazos Santiago harbor?
Brownsville is about Is miles from
Point Isabel. Harlingen and San Be-
nito are not much farther away, just
u few miles.
Nov IL you mean that II Browns
willie wanted connection with
Brazos Santiago harbor through ship
channel connection, in that case
Brownsville should bear the burden.
II would be an improvement for the
i, particular development of Browns
VILE.
FIR. SWALLOWS letter follows:
Il like your frankness in your dis
cussion Of the Point Isabel naviga-
tiol district subject in your in Our
Valley column in The Herald Wed
nesday.
''It is the impression among the
Hidalgo county people that an effort
is being made TO force Hidalgo
county into the proposed navigation
district by putting bill through the
legislature including Hidalgo. Snrr
and Willacy counties with Cameron
county in the proposed navigation
district and tax Hidalgo county
property to finance the harbor ia
cilities. The legislature has the
power, and IL sufficient pull was
used. the thing right be done You
may depend upon IL that the people
Of Hidalgo county will be up in arms
against this IL the attempt is maNa.
This does not mean that the peo-
pie of Hidalgo county are against
the Point Isabel project. Those Of
US who have been aeIe through the
years Of development know that Hi
dalgo county people we're and are
just as enthusiastic for the Point
Isabel project as Cameron county
people.
THOSE INTERESTED in Hidalgo
county contributed most literally to
( the preliminary expenses o. the har-
-hofs also contributed cap.taI for re-
building the Point Isabel railroad.
Our people are deeply sensible to
the Valley-wide benefit TO be de-
rived from the successful conclusion
and operation Of this project. They
rendered the assistance necessary TO
put the project on 'ts feet. not only
financially, but personally and politi-
cally.
Each community and each county
in the Valley have their duties 70
perform in connection with Valley
development and the contributions of
the several communities and counties
to Valley development adds up the
sum OF what the Valley IS today.
THE POINT ISABEL project Is
what IL is today by reason Of Valley
wide cooperation in contributions Of
money, time and political influence
which has all resulted in the estab-
lishment OF the project. the appro-
priation of q large sum of govern
ment money 70 pay for the work
done and the promise from the engi-
= neering department. OF the govern
ment Of an appropriation of S1.Oo0,-
1000 TO complete the project and a
further large sum for its annual
r maintenance. This Last promise be-
ing contingent upon the public sup
plying 100000 additional funds for
harbor facilities. and its operation.
which Is a local industry.
"Many of our people think, with
which fully agree. that the Browns
vile and Point Isatel rerri'pries
should not call on he rest Of the
Valley for assistance by i,~slding
the rest Of the Valley IN iaiviga-
tion district TO vote bonds to raise
this 100000 or any other money
needed now TO establish their local
harbor industry.
"Harlingen paid its own shot with
out asking assistance from anybody.
by organizing a local navigation dis
triet and bonding themselves for
100000 to build their local harbor
industry in connection with the In
ter-coastal canal. Brownsville and
i'oint Isabel shouli 10 likewise"
! JUST TO KEEP the record
/, straight. Mr.. swallow. we 90 NOT be-
lieve that Brownsville he's asked for
; assistance for Brazos Santisgo mar
Dor.
A Valley-wide harhor committee
was organized. Il has fifteen ar
more members. Only two or three
members OF the committee are
Brownsville men. TIE others al,
nj catered over the Valley.
Ju It was the valley-wide comm;tte,
CT hat suggested the four county DIS.
.rict. not Brownsville. as you seem
70 think.
! The BraEos Santiago harbor mat
ter, which for many years was
handled By Brownsville because tn
Valley was in infancy, mas been
taken out Of Brownsville-s nands by
the valley-wide committee; that Is.
II has been turned ever to the VAL
! ley-wide committee.
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