Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-06-29
CANAL WOULD
HELP VALLEY
intra-C Coastal Project Seen
AS Big Boon to Entire
Southwest II. 8.
BY ROY MILLER
Active Vice President OF the
IntracoastaI Canal Association

~AH INV Va ALC
In~tracoastal Canal Association
No n can fail to be impressed
with the fact that q new day is
dawning In this great Southwestern
section OF the United States. Orig
inally and almost exclusively a cat
tie country, this great empire then
became one Of the most productive
and prosperous agricultural sections
OF our country. and doubtless 1t will
enjoy, along with its other activi-
ties, that favored distinction for
many years TO come. Now, however.
Il stands upon the Threshold Of a
new era Of industrial development
and commercial expansion which in
sures 1t a position of international
Importance and prestige.
Coincident with this interesting
fact is the opening up Of a new
world TO the south Of US. whose COM
mercial demands and trade neces-
stiles offer an alluring prospect.
Here, we have. indeed, an almost
ideal situation: on our part. rapidly
expanding industrial and CONNER
cial activity. and, on the other hand,
fast growing markets which hunger
for the products and commodities
which we may supply.
Nature has been exceedingly kind
tn the great Southwest. 1t has en-
dowed It with material advantages
unequaled anywhere. productive
soil, ideal climate, and natural re-
sources OF mine. forest. and field
probably unequaled anywhere in the
western hemisphere. In addition. IL
has supplied it with natural posi-
hilities and advantages for trans
portation that nowhere have a coun-
terpart. Before us lies the Gulf OF
Mexico, the Mediterranean Of the
western hemisphere, which touches
the beautiful islands OF the West In
dies and washes the shores Of our
sister republic to the south. with
its boundless natural resources q d
rapidly increasing commercial de-
velopment. IL provides also a high
way for commerce into the South
Atlantic. and thence 10 those Won
derful countries Of eastern South
America, and through the Panama
canal. a channel Of trade TO the
rich nations on the Pacific Coast OF
South America.
Reaches 10 Valley
This extensive coastline. reaching
from the great port Of New Orleans
on the east. to the Rio Grande on
the south. a distance or nearly 700
miles, harbors a dozen great port
cities. Lake Charles, Orange. Beau
mont, Port Arthur, Galveston, Hous-
ton, Texas City. Freeport. Corpus
Christi. Point Isabel. and Browns
vile. most of them possessing ade-
uuate facilities which. being sub
stantially augmented from time TO
time. provide meeting places for the
exchange Of commodities and the
things Of trade which may seek eX-
change between the great South
west and rich and growing markets
In the new world TO the south Of
Us.
In addition 70 magnificent rail-
transportation facilities which radi-
ate inland from these port cities
that border the Gulf, and which
have been supplied by the energy
and foresight OF man, nature has
provided the Southwest with great
water highways which when devel-
oped are destined 70 play a leading
and important part in the realiza-
ton Of the great commercial future
which I have attempted so imper-
fectly TO picture.
The intimate relationship Of the
development Of our inland water
ways TO foreign trade. although self
evident in its importance, cannot
be overestimated. a great produc-
ing empire which lies north and
somewhat beyond the confines of
what we call the Southwest. and
whose products in the very nature
OF things should seek an outlet
through Gulf ports, for many years
has been isolated so far as the Gulf
is concerned by reason of lower
TRANSPORTATION costs by rail 10 the
Atlantic seaboard. The natural
course for the commerce Of the Mid
die West. and in fact for all Of that
vast area we call the Mississippi
Valley. which lies between the Ale
ghenies on the east and the Rocky
Mountains on the west, Is south
ward, down hll. TO the Gulf. In
deed. in earlier days. before railroad
construction produced an artificial
condition. the Mississippi. the Ia
ther Of Waters. was the great trunk
line highway over which commerce
moved north and south.
Improving River System
This maladiustment Is now IN
process OF correction through the
Improvement for transportation pur-
poses Of what IS known as the Mis-
siSSippi river system. This great
system. including all OF its adopted
projects. more than seventy in
number. will have a total mileage
Of approximately $4,000 miles when
completed. and its completion Is an
ticipated in less than five years.
One Of its most important trunk
lines is the i~ntracoastal waterway
OF Louisiana and Texas, the con-
struction Of which is now under
way. This waterway. commonly
known as the ~Intracoastal Canal.
has been authorized by act Of con-
gress on the basis OF q nine-foot
depth and 100 foot bottom width
from New Orleans TO Corpus Chris
Il. a distance Of approximately 600
miles, at an estimated cost Of more
than $4,000. 10000. Construction
work Is well advanced in Louisiana
and will shortly be commenced in
Texas, and its completion IN its en-
tirety within less than three years
is assured.
In addition TO its relationship to