Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-07
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Foreign Advertising Representatives,
The Harbor Appropriation

The recommendation Of the board Of U. s. army
engineers that congress make an appropriation Of ST.
100000 for the construction Of the Valleys harbOr at
Point Isabel and $4,000 annually for maintenance
definitely commits the government to the Valley pro-
ject, which assures the completion Of a port Of in
estimable value to Valley interests.
This appropriation is to be contingent upon the
Valley interests contributing 100000 to the construc-
tion Of the harbor, making it n ~$1,6ooOOo project, and
the Valley will also be required to provide adequate
terminals, and certain tracts desired by the govern
ment upon Padre and Brazos islands and the mainland
on the shores of the Laguna.
The Valley interests have already considered al
these propositions. The land required for terminals
and such works as the government desires will be
available, and no one who is acquainted with the trans
~portatiOn history Of the Valley doubts that Valley IN
terests will make haste 70 provide the necessary funds
% meet every requirement the army engineers recon-
mend.
Congressman Garner has given assurance the Point
Isabel appropriation will be contained in the rivers
and harobrs bill, which will soon be reported by the
house committee. As practically every section Of the
United States is interested in that bill, the possibility
that it will be layed by the exigencies Of politics, as
has been suggested in some quarters, is remote. Favor
able action upon the bill is expected in both the house
and senate as all political parties and factions are in
terested in the measure.
When the appropriation Is made available there
should be no delay on the part OF the Valley in meet
ing the requirements the government will impose.
Every month of delay will cost the Valley thousands
Of dollars in freight rates and retarded development.
Every ENERGY Of every leader in all parts Of the Val
ley should be directed toward prompt compliance vita
the requirements and the elimination OF unnecessary
delay.
The Seople of the Lower Rio Grande Valley great
" appreciate the interest Of the board of army en-
gineers in the transportation problems Of the Valley,
and especially appreciate the support extended the
project by Colonel ]. L. Sehley, district engineer az
Galveston, whose favorable report was the basis of the
boards recommendations. The Valley also appreciates
the work Of Congressman John n. Garner, who has
worked with unfailing zeal in the Valleys cause; the
efforts of Senators Sheppard and Mayfield, who have
never failed to support the Valley project. Chairman
Dempsey Of the house rivers and harbors committee
was an unfailing friend Of the Valley, as was also a
score OF other congressman and senators whose good
offices materially aided the Valleys cause.
In this connection special tribute should be paid the
Valley port committee, headed by r. B. Creager Of
Brownsville. Practically every community in the NGf-
lev is represented on this committee by its most abls
or influential committee could have been organized.
They are the power behind the movement. They have
attaind their first objective; and they will continue
the battle until every obstacle has been surmounted
and the port Mt Point Isabel opens the Valley to the
commerce Of the world.
To the members Of the part committee, the men
who are fighting the Valleys battle the greatest trib-
ute that can be extended is cooperation in the eff
forts that must yet be made. They are not seeking
personal recognition or glory; they are seeking for the
Valley emancipation from pr%ohibitive rates; and un-
der such leadership the final success Of any effort the
Valley may make is practically certain to be crowned
with success.