The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-12-01
The Wharf Fight.


galveston Tribune.
The Tribune has recently shown In its
agitation for enlarged terminal facilities
at this port that the Galveston Wharf com
pahy' with other interests, is called upon
W 'he necessities OF the situation TO re-
form It's trackage and otherwise adapt its
| system of business to the RAPIDLY incr.as-
ing trade. In this movement tho Tribune
was Inspired solely by its concern for the
general welfare. The fact that it did mo,
hesitate to crticise the Wharf companv in
tnat case gives II the right now to protest
against the proceedings instituted nj Aus-
I'm to make it appear that the company's
charges are excessive In its recent crlti-
Vlsh OF the company the Tribune was re-
nuhed in certain quarters for advertising
tho city's disadvantages, and In this in
stance the Tribune expects even more yiol
eht rebuke for defending a MONOPOLY -
nue II VIII do its duty now as heretofore
IN pehalt OF Galveston's commercial welfare
IN spite of any passing clamor or any self
ish interest
IN" shipping charges at this port. in
Guiding the Wharf company's tariff. are
h"'o'iously the cheapest at any first class
port upon the continent. This Is no vague
poast' but n challenge to comparison bv
V"relu' investigation. The difference be-
tween Galveston and other ports is that
mere the wharf charges are made direct
upon the commodity. whereas elsewhere
lhey are taxed against the ship and enter
INTO tho ocean freight rate The effect IL
tHe same upon commerce. Galveston does
directly and candidly what other ports do
indirectly and collusively, with the net re-
suit greatly to Galvestons advantage.
ne only charge that may be attacked
hn fT-ih L.,
kated-ls the tax on trackage but as this
Is KIND OF railroad traffic IL ought to be
readily amenahle to the railroad commits
sion without legislation or formal proceed D.
ure
The right Of the State to regulate wharf
charges Is not the question. If the legis-
iatnre has not the right already. It lies
fundamentally In the State upon the gener
any accepted principle OF government con
troll Of public carriers and other creature
corporations established for the common
good the point OF the Trlbune's protest IL
that the exploitation at this time Is with
out Just grievance. There is no complaint
against the Wharf companys general aver
age OF tariff charges. though possibly there
are items that might be corrected ana
would doubtless be corrected by the COM
pany upon a reasonable showing hv any
shipper
me present complaint misses entirely tho
essential problems to be solved here These
the Tribune has recently pointed out and
the Wharf company promptly announ rcd
It's intention of reforming lis trackage To
accommodate the increased business OF tho
port II other interests were as PROMPT to
promote the business Of Galveston it's com
morce would @ speedily accommodated.
The Tribune VIII not hesitate upon occ9.
sion TO point out tho shortcomings OF the
Wharf company it would heartily lend its
influence TO legitimate and tudicious rival
ry whenever the business OF the port may
warrant the establishment and maintenance
of large enterprises projected in good faith I;
hut 1t insists that this movement is unjust
and unwise. and the motive for II lies ont.
side of an unseltish concern for the public
rpnI