Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-04-26
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VALlEY

THE MUNICIPALITY that il
Brownsville has just concluded q
contract in connection with its air
port.
1t has decided-voting three to
two, and therefore ununanimousl!
Ito permit the Pan-American Air
ways. or its subsidiary, the Mexi.
can Aviation company, to land and
take off at the field for a period
of one year.
The contract affects only the
Mexican company. The. company
delivering the American mails te
the north and south to the north
bank of the Rio Grande, does not
appear in the situation. Nor does
the Matamoros- Monterrey -Mazatlar
company.
The year, it is considered, viii
give ample time for the working out
OF an agreement. Or for no agree.
ment. q
The main trouble, it is consid.
cred. is that there are no pre-.
cedents.
Airports are a new thing. Basis
for cost of operation, for income
ETC., is not established.
1t is not to be wondered at, per-
haps, that the city has been floun-
dering on this question.
In the meantime, Brownsville is
gaining fine experinece In the mat
ter of airport operations.
And is in position to caution sis
ter cities throughout the state hav-
ing airport ambitions.
Cities like Corsicana, Lubbock
San Angelo and others.
Especially those cities whose
bonding capacities are more or less
limited.
The Brownsville airport thus far
represents an investment of from
100000 to $25o,o00.
And they say the end is not yet.
The other day the federal de-
partment that dispenses weather
information, announced that wea-
ther bureau would be established at
the airport.
This weather bureau will be sup
Elementary to the forecast office in
the city proper.
It's purpose will be, mainly, to
gather information as to air cur
rents. Especially sought is dope
on the ceiling"
This weather office will want
quarters in the administration
building. These quarters will, of
course, have to be provided. So
something like $4,000 will have to
be devoted to extending the admin
istration building.
NEW. if comparatively small, ex-
penditures are being demanded al
most constantly.
They mean that the investment
ia the airport is growing con-
stantly.
And it is, of course, quite
worthwhile investment. But the
city exchequer would be pleased II
it knew where it will all end.
Some return is, of course. being
experienced. There is income from
storage space, income from the sale
of gasoline and oils, and perhaps
! from other sources.
AS stated. there are no preced-
ents. But the Brownsville airport.
which is really a pioneer in many
respects, is rapidly forming pre-
cedentS.
1t experience should be valuable
to cities up the state that are con-
sidering airport expenditures. When
we say airprots, we mean just that
mot ordinary or emergency land
ing fields.
Cities like San Antonio, Houston.
Dallas, Fort Worth - fifteen to
twenty times Brownsville's size
are often at sea about their air.
ports. So why shouldn't Browns
vile and cities Of similar size.
faced with providing facilities
eoualing those in the big cities, find
the problems difficult?
THE STATE HIGHWAY COM
MISSION has designated a high
way out of Corpus Christi that may.
ssome time in the future. affect
ytourist travel into and out of the
fvalley.
This highway would run from
CORPUS Christi southwest to the
\ 1xleberg county line, near Chap
mas ranch.
1 Later it will run through Kle-
i fsrg county to the Kennedy county
i ne, touching at or near Sarita.
I sld passing to the east of Kings
A Elle.
I Eventually this road would follow
lfhe railroad from Sarita south to
ssVillacy county line, to connection
18th the Willacy county north and
fouth road. thus affording a new
spute south to Cameron county
4 4oints.
Also designated was a highway
from Mathis east to Corpus Christi.
One day it will be possible for
4. tourist to enter the Valley by one