Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-06-19
PORT HEARING
lContinued on page 3D.

Brownsville interests would con-
tribute toward these requirements
upon a pro rata basis.
The report submitted by the dis
trict engineer recommended that q
channel SO miles in length be
dredged from Brazos Santiago pass
to a point near Point Isabel. This
was the basis for the objections
raised by the Brownsville district.
which proposed to finance all re-
quirements OF the government and
construct q channel from a point
near Brownsville q distance Of II
miles to a connection with the
government channel through the
Laguna Madre.
Brownsville Cites Case
The Brownsville advocates assert
ed that their city with its large
valuations and proximity to Mex
leo would be the logical point for
the harbor. that the city is a re3-
road and highway center and that
a large volume Of Mexican tonnage
as well as the tonnage generated in
the Valley would flow through the
port.
Advocates for the Point Isabel
site asserted that the location
would have no effect on the vol
unne Of tonnage, and that Point
Isabel. three miles from deep wa
ter. Is strategically located to serve
the entire Valley and northern
Mexico. Major Putnam. engineer
for the Point Isabel district. said
that such additional facilities as
the Brownsville site might offer
would be more than offset by the
additional cost Of construction ana
maintenance.
To this Brownsville replied that
their district Is willing to bear Al
the cost OF the inner channel 70
the proposed Brownsville turning
basin. and stated the difference In
cost would in no way affect the
government. They also stated they
would meet the government with a
25-Ioot channel at Brazos Santiago
II sufficient assurance Is given hat
the government will construct che
outer channel and ~jetties to pro-
vide that depth.
No action Is expected TO be
taken BY the board for several
weeks. the Point ISabel-Sen Benit7
district having been granted such
time as necessary to examine the
statements and exhibits Of the
Brownsville district and TO fle
briefs.
Replving 10 q question as TO
whether Brownsville interests would
be satisfied II the Board Of Engineers
overruled Major Fox and merely
provided that the government dredge
and maintain an entrance channel,
John Gregg. Brownsville banker. said
they would. and Cummins adoeo
that Brownsville was ready 70 start
digging 100 feet wide on the bottom
and a depth Of % feet at once on
the terms suggested by the question:
Town Lots Sold
II. r. Creager. speaking for Point
isabel. which he represented rs an
attorney for the Townsite Company,
told how the enterprising Townsite
COMPANY had sold more than $1,000
600 worth Of town lots 70 persons IN
All parts Of the country. on =
promise that the Rio Grande port
IS 70 be located there.
Think Of the embarrassment 70
my company II the original ruling Of
the Board il changed CreaGer SAID.
"All the VALLEY was originally unlteo
and Brownsville hailed the TACT
when a port was given tn the VAL
lev. I don't see how am n OF n
VALLEY cities can back no on 2
nronoSition We were al for when II
was 4 question Of q port being To-
Gated for the Valley.
The Brownsville argument. on n
other hand. was that rs BROWNSVILLE
would have 10 bear the major por-
tim az the cost anyway. and as n
had a city and surrounding TERRI
tory to support it. the port shouio
be located at Brownsville.
Cummins told the Board thar
Broynsviile was an average OF "a
/ miles nearer shipping points In n
VALLEY than Point Isabel and that
there was every reason why Browns
vile should be designated the VAL
Iev's port. "A saving 70 shippers end
the fact that Brownsville has never
been inundated. while Point Isaoel
is subject TO calimitouS overflow:
P~rownsville's rail facilities as COM
pared with one privately-oWne1
road to Point Isabel: Brownsville =
strong financial conditions as
against no banks at Point Isabel;
unlimited facilities for port expan-
sion: highways to both Texas and
I Mexico. and airmalie route, were
some Of the things cited BY Cum
Minis in favor Of Brownsville.
Brownsville 10 Pay
Cummins submitted figures on
possible tonnage and saving In
freight rates as between the two
points. re itemized the cost OF q
right OF way. dredging. turning
basin and other facilities at g total
OF s2.BiO.O00. every cent Of which he
said Brownsville was willing to take
out ~ its " pocket. The distance
OF the channel from the pass 10
Brownsville he said was II miles and
from the pass to Point Isabel three
and from six-tenths miles.
we want a 25-foot channel.
| Cummins said. IF this board de-
cides TO establish the port at
Brownsville and decides on a 10
J foot depth. We are going to ask you
to allow us TO complete II 70 % feet
at our own cost"
Creager in reply said that the
shortline railroad running TO Point
Isabel has recently come under the
Jurisdiction OF the Interstate Com
merce Commission for rate-making
purposes. Creager said that the
Missouri Pacific is now within seven
miles OF Point Isabel and the South
ern Pacific within IL miles.