October 28, 1910
Appropriation for International Boundary Fence
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It was learned yesterday that an appropriation of $400,000 has been made by the federal government for the building of a barbed wire fence along the Mexican border between El Paso and San Diego. But little is known concerning the project by federal officials in this city other than that the appropriation has been made.
It is said that the fence will be built under the direction of the agricultural department, it being especially intended to aid the work of the department of animal industry.
It is possible, however, that the work may be done jointly by the agricultural and treasury departments, as the latter department is now losing large sums in duties by reason of cattle straying back and forth across the line. So far as known, no surveys have been made and it is not know when work will commence.
One wire of the fence will be a telephone wire so connected that if the fence is cut or opened at any point the fact will be instantly communicated to a station. The fence will be built 60 feet north of the line at the outer edge of the neutral strip. At Douglas, Naco and Nogales the fence will be built through the streets, with only gates for passageways.
In the event of the fence being built, it is altogether likely that El Paso will be made the base of supplies for a larger territory.
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