Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-07-03
l~ntracOaStal Plan
Called Impractical
at Harrington Meet

Chambers went into detail in his
effort to show that the i~ntracoastal
canal project is not feasible.
He expressed the belief that the
people present would not live to
see the intracoastal canal extended
to Harrington.
Within 80 days after permission
is secured to cut through Uadre is
land, the commissioners will adver-
tiSe for bids on the present project,
which calls for deepening the Ar
royo Colorado to nine feet, and
cutting through to the gulf, Cham
bers said, in explaining the work
that is being done now.
Bonds After Election
He denied that the new law ap-
plying to the district here gives the
commissioners authority to set their
own salaries, and said bonds can
be issued by the commissioners only
after an election, and to refund
present bonds.
Chambers briefly outlined port
project developments in the Valley
in the past Is or more years. He
said for IS years efforts have been
put forth to develop a port at Point
Isabel. IF I couldn't put it over
in 10 years I would have left the
country" he said.
Government engineers have said
you haven't got the tonnage for a
deep water port. In 1920 all the
pressure was brought to bear, and
an appropriation Of 5000 was
made for expenditure at Point Isa-
bel.
Valley people raised around $780,
600 to improve the railroad to Point
Isabel-why I don't know.
after they had spent all that
they went to Secretary Weeks and
said there was a moral obligation
to the people of the Valley to de-
velop a port. The government is
strong on moral obligations.
Engineers Sent
"A group of engineers was sent
to Point Isabel. TIE first group
estimated it would cost So, 100000 to
put a 16-foot channel there. Then
the board just said they could do
it for a million less, and made it
S1,600,0 00, the Valley to furnish
100000. This was recommended
not because you need deep water,
but as a moral obligation"
Chambers then traced the rise and
fall of navigation district plans after
the government engineers had rec
commended the 81, 600, 900 project.
A f~our-county district was first.
proposed, he said, but it didn't in
terest the people up the Valley,
who said they we're closer to Cor
pus Christi. A two-county district
was then started, and then a one
county district"
He traced activities Of the Browns
vile district, describing some of the
actions, bringing the channel by
Point Isabel instead Of to it, and
restricting expenditures Of funds.
as amusing and then explained
the present status as he sees it.
Aid wide Open"
Chambers declared the matter OF
government aid is still wide Open"
He said when the Brownsville peo-
pie succeeded In having the mat
ter reopened in order to recommend
the amendment to bring the chan
mel to Brownsville, that the Arroyo
Colorado navigation district took
advantage Of the opportunity, and
will take advantage of all others
to seek federal aid on the Arroyo
project.
Speaking again of the men oppos-
ing him, he said, The men oppos-
ing us don't know much about what
IS going on. They have been want
ing to stop the present project for
the intracoaStal canal"
Chambers closed with a statement
that he believes in submitting such
matters to the people, and aszeo
for endorsement of the present
plans at the polls Saturday.
The meeting was opened by Judge
J.. G. Myrick, and w. B. Lewis, To-
cal attorney, was appointed chair
man. Judge Myrick in the first
talk, traced the history of activities
of the Arroyo Colorado district I'M
der the present commissioners,
praiSing their records, and appeal
ing for support of a Valley port at
Harrington.
Tyre Brown, another commission
er, was called on, and said he want
ed the people to vote for him on.y
if they thought he could serve them.