Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-03-15
Yhdsback Steamers Between Baltimore
and Tampico.
1 MARKET FOR COAL AND COKE.
Ballion, Hemp, Fibre, sisal Grsss, Dyes,
Gums, Vanilla Hides, Coffee, Sugar, Orc,
aud Wool Are Some of the Produce.
Washington Post.)

affect the interest OF all the country
tributary 10 the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road system. 1t is OF particular impor-
lance TO Chicago. Pittsburg. Cincinnati
Columbus, and the coal and coke regions
Of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and west VIZ
einia. because 1t opens an entirely new
line of trade.
The Johnson Steamship Company, OF
Liverpool. Is one OF the most extensive
shipping firms in the world, and the owner
OF the line of cargo steamers SAILING
weekly between Baltimore and Liverpool
They are monstrous steel vessels, and
carry grain. livestock. beef, cotton, and
other products of the United States to
Europe. bringing back general merchan-
disc This company was one OF the
largest carriers of Exposition freight. IL
has other lines from Liverpool to different
rarts of the world. 1t commands millions
of capital and is rated very high Mr..
William Johnston, the senior member Oh
the firm, and MIR. c. X. Lord, vice-presl-
dent Of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
returned on Friday last from a trip TO
Mexico. where they concluded arrange
ments for the establishment OF the new
line.
Mr.. Lord said that Mr.. Porch. who was
orsul-General to Mexico during Mr..
Cleveland's first term. and is relative
OF Senator Cockrell, should have the credit
Of starting this now enterprise. Mr.. Porch
came here from Mexico four years ago,
IMPRESSED with the opportunities OF ex-
tending the trade between the United
ptates and that country. and particularly
with the facilities offered by the INV
port of Tampico, where the Mexican gov
eminent had spent several millions OF
money under the direction of that famous
engineer, Mr.. u. L. Cortheil. OF Chicago,
ir building jetties and making one OF the
finest harbors in the world. Mr.. Porch In
tcrested some Philadelphia people In
starting a line Of steamers between that
city and TampicO which was continued
for several months, but finally failed be-
cansc Of the lack OF those three essen
tials-experiencc capital, and support. AL
though Mr.. Porch failed in Philadelphia,
he did not abandon his purpose. but came
to Baltimore. and laid his plans before
Mr.. Lord and other officers OF the Baitl-
more and Ohio railroad, who were 50
much impressed with them that they sent
for Mr. Johnston TO come from Liverpool
and talk the matter over.
BIRTH OF THE PROJECT.
This happened last summer when 1t
was decided 10 send Mr.. Porch TO Next
60 10 see what arrangements he could
make for harbor ah1 wharting privileges
at Tamplco. and what sort of contracts
he could get with the Mexican Central
and the Mexican Gulf railways-one run
ming southwest to San Luis Potosi and
the city Of Mexico. and the other north
west TO Monterey and the Rio Grande.
Mr. Porchs report was so favorable That
Mr.. Johnston came TO the United states
again, and left Baltimore on the 10th of
February with Mr.. Lord for Mexico 10
close matters himself. The party included
Vie, President G. *. Lord, of the Balti-
more ana Ohio railroad. William john
ston, president Of the Johnston Steamship
Line; John Gill, president OF the Mer-
camille Trust and DEPOSIT Company;
George +. Patterson, of Patterson. Ram
say a. Co.. Baltimore agents of the john
ston line; Charles r.. Ways, neral irelSht
agent of the Baltimore and ohio railroad
II. Crawford Black. president OF the
IlacH- Sheridan Wilson Coal Company, the
and Ohio road, and George c. jenkins,
director Of the Baltimore and ONO.
I'VE did the country thoroughly said
MIR. Lord 1--WE entered by I'll Paso,
travelled down the Mexican Central TO
the City of Mexico, and from there we
went to Tampico. where We found one
of the finest harbors ! have ever seen
Tompico is situated on the Panuco river,
about six miles from its mouth The river
IS wide and deep, and affords plenty OF
water for the largest vessels. AS III
other places we found the trade or Tam
pico in the hands of foreigners. TWO
railroads have their terminals at Iampico
one of these Is the Mexican Central
which runs south TO the City of Mexico,
and thence north to FL Paso. Texas liza
miles. and has branch lines, aggregatlng
ga miles The other is the Monterey anu
Mexican Gulf railroad, which Is comPieteu
from Tampico TO Geronimo EreViho' 90
miles. and runs into the richest INNING
region of Mexico.
II was very much surprised ana greatly
eratified at the condition OF things, anu
particularly with the harbor ana railrOau
facilities. The docks are very nearly mn
ished and will be ready some time De
tween the lst and 18th OF Aprh. we
met there President Robertson and Gene
raj Treyino. of the Mexican Gulf railroad
and went over the line with them My
second surprise was at Monterey. Wds
there ten years ago, ana never "a"
any town improve more rapidly. Sihce
| was there 1t has become an American
,zed town. II is full of factories and
smelting-works, and Just now a large
brewery and furniture-factory and a car
tridge-factory are being finished. and will
be in operation soon.
GULF LOWLAND DEVELOPMENTS
"The Mexican Gulf railway In doing
wonders In the development OF the low
lands on the gulf coast, which are Pc
culiarly adapted for suger, coffee, ana
fruit People are removing there from
California to grow oranges, because the
fruit rlpens at a such time that they
can supply the trade when the California
oranges are not TO be had. The centre
OF the fruit trade will be Monte More
los. was very much gratifed. too, at
the enormous development OF coffee cui-
tiyation on the eastern slope. 1t takes
four or five years for a plantation to
become productive, but a large number
have been planted within the last few
years which are now maturing, and In
a year or two more they will furnish
plenty Of freight for the Tampico steam
ers. All OF the Mexican coffee we get
now comes out OF vera Cruz, ana Is
from the southern part of the republic,
but the northern coffee Is said to be even
finer In quality and eIual TO the best OF
the world The northeastern part OF
Mexico has been tardy In improvements
until the Mexican Gulf road was put
through, but now, with its facilities tor
communication and transportation. II Is
booming along like some Of our western
States
"Mexico has all the natural products
except fuel" continued Mr.. Lord. "and
we propose to supply that. We propose
also to furnish facilities for manufaetu-
rers along our line OF railroad TO shi2
their merchandise directly to Tampico.
and from the reports 1 have received
these facilities WIN be utilized to such an
extent as TO greatly increase our ex-
ports to the Mexican republic. The docks
at Tampico will be open to all corners.
Our steamers will commence their regu-
lar trips on the 18th OF April, and win
thereafter sail twice a month until bust
ness tustifies an increase In the number
OF voyages. II will take about three
weeks to make a round trip. sailing at
ten knots an hour--that Is. six days down
and six days back. with time to load and
unload here and there.
"Mr, Johnston has decided to use the
new whaieback steamers. and Captain
af.roupat NJ the WhalebGck COMPANY