Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1931-08-19
Suits Would Result

-
II a sufficient supply Is not made
available that lawsuits over water
rights will result at tremendous X
penSe and without solving the prob
lem.
Litigation Is destructive where
as the purpO-- OF this organization
is constructive. that IS, TO put
enough water in the river SO tnat
there viii be NJ suits. The theory
Is not to bring more acreage into
competition with existing lands
but 10 protect what we have under
irrigation.
The proposed organization IS not
a master district. 1T does not pro-
pose TO determine water rights, put
a drop OF water on any land, pro-
vide drainage or exercise the func-
lions Of any operating district he
declared.
The government Las put in over
a hundred dams over the country
and there is no reason why 10
could not be induced to erect four
or five on the Rio Grande if the
matter Is properly presented. That
Is where the proposed district. as
a legal representative Of people in
the Valley who would benefit from
use Of water for municipal. domes-
tic or irrigation purposes, would
function.
Issues Impossible
mo bond issues are possible IN
der the law creating the district.
The only ean OF raising funds
would be through a tax not 10 ex-
coed five cents / the hundred dol
lars valuation and Id Is not thought
that even this amount will be nee
eSsary. Proponents Of the district
deem 1t both unnecessary and in
advisable TO issue bonds even II II
could legally do so.
Mr.. Yates explained that the
board would be composed Of . en-
directors. one each from H!dalgo.
Cameron, Willacy and Starr coun-
ties and three at large. making IL
impossible for any one county 70
gain control. The temporary board
would serve until the second Tues
day in January when an election
would be held 10 select another
board. These directors would serve
without pay.
Funds OF the proposed district
would be used for maintaining an
office. taking care Of St~enograpnic
expenses and employment OF such
experts as may be needed to gather
iacts and properly present them IN
governmental agencies. IL rs thought
that expenditures can be held to a
minimum.
Cost 81 operating the proposed
district would be but a 1.-THE OF what
litigation would cost If legal fights
developed over water rights due 10
an inadequate supply" he said.
Lands not benefited by water fo-
irrigation. domestic or municipal
uses NAV withdraw al any time
during the first four years. Taxes
paid on such land will be RENTED
With interest at six per cent. This
provision was made because Il could
not be determined in a short time
all the lands that would be benz
tlted. Some lands will not receive
beneffs and provision has been
made FOR them TO withdraw.
Organization Necessary
The government will not deal
with individuals and for this season
sort Of legal organization when
represents all interested people
would be necessary TO prevail on the
government n build structures
necessary to ~lpound waters now
being wasted"
. We cannot 90 ahead and forget
indefinitely the uncontrolled flow
OF the river which Is now wasted .
said w. K. Anderson or San Benito
consulting engineer to the American
section Of the International Wate-
Commission.
He showed the tremendous devel-
opments now going on not only IN
Mexico but in the United States
would deprive this section az
a part OF its present supply OF
unless IL is stored and con-
served. Diversions from the normal
flow Of the river now are as great
as they can be made without sub
ourselves to dangers of a
shortage he claimed pointing out
that even present Developments ia
the Valley are being endangered be-
cause moro and more water Is be-
ing taken above this point.
The reason not much progress
has been made in negotiations Is the
lsrk ri united SUPPORT or the entire
area" Mr.. Anderson said.
He discussed physical aspects Of