Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-05-16
TEXAS DAILY FRESS LEAGUE
Clarifying Power of Publicity

Et9lullB.
Failure to give publicity. whether accidental or in
tended, frequently leads to misunderstanding and sus-
picicn.
A case in point is the so-called Santa Claus" nav
igation bill Just killed in the house committee after it
had been introduced by Polk Hornaday, representa-
tive OF Cameron county.
Apparently there was no effort to avoid publicity
on the fact that such a bill had been introduced.
News reporters merely failed to learn that the meas
ue had been discussed in an open meeting Of the
Cameron county commissioners court.
The fact that 1t had been introduced was discov-
cred by accident by Brownsville citizens in Austin on
other business. Realizing that the bill would be OPP
posed by citizens of the Brownsville navigation dis
triet and believing that other Valley interests would
be opposed TO 1t. these men notified members Of the
local navigation district commission.
Opposition to the bill developed to such an extent
that the committee in Austin decided to let il die
without reporting on 1t.
In the meantime suspicion had been expressed that
the bill was aimed at a previously passed special act
under which the Brownsville district had been created.
This special act had provided that all money voted by
the citizens Of the district must be expended only
within the bounds of the district and for the specific
purpose of developing a harbor near this city. The
new bill sought TO exactly reverse this by allowing
commissioners of any district to spend mony from
bonds in any other, If such spending OF money was
believed by the commissioners 10 be for the good CT
their district
The bill was drawn and submitted to Hornaday
by County Judge o. c. Dancy. Judge Dancy says he
believed the bill to embody the desires of a large part
of the citizens of this county. No attack on the
Brownsville district was intended.
Had the fact that the bill was to be introduced and
that 1t had been discussed in open meeting Of the
commissioners court been given publicity ali Of the
suspicion Of motives would have been avoided.
The fact it was to be submitted would have been
known in advance and the opposition would have
made itself felt in time to prevent the bill being in
troduced.
Attorneys agree that had the bill been enacted the
100000 worth of bonds already voted could not have
been spent anywhere except in the district. But, they
explain, 10 would have been easy TO fail to issue these
bonds, TO have called a new election and voted an
other issue under the new law and attempted 70 elect
directors who were favorable to the expenditure Of
money outside the district.
So, while the bill was intended for an entirely diff
ferent purpose. which never has been made perfectly
clear. it still would have defeated the purpose Of the
Brownsville navigation district. This purpose is 10
build q deep water port near Brownsville.
II. L. Yates, attorney for the local district. believes
the bill would have been held unconstitutional.
The bill enables the three commissioners, instead
of the voters of the district, to determine where the
proceeds of bond issues shall be spent" Mr.. Yates
says.
1T gives designing individuals and selfish interests
an opportunity to create dissatisfaction in a district
and cause the abandonment Of established policies
and the losing Of far reaching benefits. For example.
Harlingen and Brownsville have fixed and definite
plans for the development Of their respective ports
and cities by a deep water project to be effected
through their respective navigation districts. In case
of temporary set-backs and delays. private interests
desiring 70 develop and exploit some other port can
start q balyhoo for cooperation Let's get together
One port for the Valley Let's be good fellows etc.
and create sufficient dissatisfaction to bring on bond
elections authorizing the expenditure Of Harlinren or
Brownsville funds for the development Of another and
different port"