, 1935-06-23
Sunday, June %, 1885
The Valley And Flood Control

With the exception Of the Brazos Island harbor pro-
Jet, embracing both the Port Isabel and Brownsville
ports, more federal money has been expended on the
flood control works Of the section through the me-
dunn OF the international Boundary commission, than
any other two projects Of the Valley that enjoy fed
eral largeSs. In spite Of this and In spite Of the
widespread publicity the flood control program Of
the International Boundary commission has receiv-
ed. and in spite Of the further fact that the program
OF the commission viii eventually entail the expendi-
ture of from Sl6yO00JOOO TO 2O.OOO.O00 Of federal funds,
there seems to be a widespread ignorance on the part
OF the public generally. including public officials, Of
che operations and intent Of the boundary commits
sion in its work to control and conserve the waters OF
the Rio Grande.
This ignorance. appalling TO newspapermen who
have followed the course Of flood control In the VAL
ley since the first leves was raised in Hidalgo county
down to the present time. has cropped out to an
amazing degree during the recent high waters OF the
Rio Grande. Rumors. criticisms, unfounded state
ments that had no basis in either fancy or fact. have
been 50 current on the streets Of the Valley that con-
tradiction has seemed to be a hopeless task.
II would appear that officials Of the various mu-
inequalities Of the Valley from Brownsville to Mis-
sion would do well to confer with officials Of the
boundary commission. ascertain the aims Of the COM
mission. and make an effort to coincide aims and de-
stres OF their municipalities with the aims and de-
sires Of the boundary commission.
Perhaps the worst of these unfounded rumors and
criticisms Of the commission have centered in and
around Brownsville during the past month or so
Of high water. Citizens Of Brownsville have been
unable to understand the why Of high water at
Brownsville and only mediumly high water at points
up the river. Because the Brownsville territory has
II never been subjected to the overflow damage that has
visited other sections Of the Valley In times past.
II che Brownsville area is probably more unfamiliar with
Il the flood control works and workings than Is any
4 other section. Certainly 1t is harder to explain these
II things to residents Of Brownsville. most Of whom
have never seen the control works Of Hidalgo coun-
ty. than it is to explain them to residents Of any
4 other section.
It occurs to The Brownsville Herald that the
4 Brownsville area. and every other Valley area for
that matter, has much to gain by working in conjunc-
Al tion with the International Boundary commission.
and By continuing that work in times when the emer-
4 gency is not as close at hand as during an overflow
\ Of the Rio Grande.
1t might be that steps could be taken that would
materially assist the commission in its efforts to Sc
cure sufficient funds for the construction Of It's ideal
F. control system. Certainly suggestions could be made
and received and local problems presented and ironed
out.
And the time to do all Of this Is when the river Is
Il low, not when every facility Of the commission is en-
gagged in protecting the work already accomplished.