Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-01-01
1929 in the Valley

At ne tine n thc history 81 the lover RIO Grands
NslIey has . new year been ushered in which held out
to thu Valley such promise as 1929. Never before has
derelcpmcnt on such an extensive scale been under
way or financed. and from Rio Grsnde City 10 Browns
vile 1929 promises to be = year Of unprecedented
activity and progress.
With prospects for deep water. due to the voting
of bond issue. brighter than at any time since Valley
leaders sought to open the sea lanes for Valley ton
mage; with six new irrigation districts organized to
develop thousands of acres of the Valleys fertile SOL
and others preparing to organize; with hard surfaced
payements being extended into all parts Of the Valley
as fast as contractors can handle the work. the Valley
has at last gotten into its stride in real development,
and there il no prospect Of the stride slowing down for
many years.
Whether the deep water program can be started IN
1929 is still conj"ctrral and viii depend upon the
action Of the army engineers and congress. Financing
of the Valleys part Of the program was achieved dur
ing the closing days Of the old year, the unanimity of
sentiment in favor Of the port being clearly demon
stratcd in the decisive majorities rolled up for the
bond issues in the elections called by the Brownsville
and the San Benito- Point Isaoel navigation districts
The Brownsville district took the first step toward
solving the transportation problem of the entire Val
ley by voting a bond issue sufficient to meet the re-
quircments Of the federal government and construct
the proposed ship channel from Brazos Santiago to .
point near tho city. Regardless Of whether work o.
the deep water program can get under way this year,
it is certain to have its effect upon development. The
support given the project has indicated to industrial
lists. investors and home-seckcrs that tho transporta-
tion problem Or the Valley Is nearing a solution.
Development Of irrigation facilities viii assume an
precedented proportions during the year. according to
plans Of recently created districts. From Rio Grandc
City, where q 5oO00-scrc project has been financed. 20
thc coastal areas east and moth Of Brownsville. where
four districts have been organized and another organ
Sing. ever I00, 900 additional acres will be brought un-
der irrigation during the year. Willacy county, with
its 1sO.0oo-scrc project. aspects to get work started
sarly in 1929, and new districts in Hidalgo county, nos
In the process Of organization. will add to the large
acreage Of Valley lands receiving the waters 81 the Rio
Grandc.
In the four Valley counties the, rapid increase u
lands brought under irrigation As well As the organiza-
tion cf new irrigation projects, mas DC attributed =
the extension OF improved highways during the past
year and the highway programs announced for 1929
In Cameron county approximately 100 miles Of high
way has been opened and a similar mileage IN Hdsigo
with similar programs financed for 1923. Willacy
county expects TO have 20 miles of paved roads com
plcted before the end Of the year. and Starr couniy
will extend her system of graveled roads.
One OF the outstanding features Of 1925 has been
the extension 81 citrus fruit paintings. According q
conservative estimates over a million trees have been
set ou.. and 1929 paintings are expected to surpsss this
number. Practically all new irrigation development Is
designed with citrus paintings IN view
II Is very apparent. however, that 1929 VIII DC wha'
might be termed a crucial year IN Valley development
IA u generally conceded that rapid development Of tho
valleys rich resources will depend to a great extent
buop deem water transportation. and that with inaugu'
ration Of work upon the harbor project. development OF
.verv available acre IN the Valley will be achieved IN
few years. Failure Of the port projees would delay
.,eh DEVELOPMENT. hut Valley leaders arc eonfiden'
that with the Valleys pert cf the project financed, fu
turs deer water transport for Valley tonnage will b
assured before the year8eiosss.