The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-15
THE SUNSET BOATS.
MAY BE PUT ON TO GALVESTON
TEMPORARILY.
Situation nt New Orleans Leads the
Company to Look Around for
Temporary Relief.

Galveston, Texas, September 1.-THE
Southern Pacific company is making in
quiries with a view to sending its fleet of
New York steamers here. The board Of
health was asked yesterday how long the
superintendent of vessels Of the liue would
be detained In quarantine II he were sent
here from New Orleans to look the situa-
ton over with view to arranging for the
line to send It's ships to this port DR..
Fisher answered he would be detained
seven or ten days.
That 10 as far as the matter has pro.
creased. 1t now remains to be seen just
now badly the company is situated II its
position demands immediate action there
is no doubt 1t Will have some Of its rep
rescntatlves either here or in Houston
begin at once to arrange for the accom-
notation OF the vessels that ore sent
here. These arrangements can be made
within day II the case is SO urgent that
extreme speed Is necessary.
Secretary Baily Of the Wharf company
was seen this morning In regard to the
matter.
we have not been approached by the
Southern Pacific and know nothing of the
company's intentions" said he but you
can announce that II the Southern Pacific
wishes to send its vessels here 1t will re-
ceive Just as good facilities as the Wharf
company affords. We treat all our pat
rohs alike We would be glad to have the
southern Pacific come in and we will do
all In our power to facilitate them in this
emergency"
what wharf room have you that you
could tender to them?"
mat can not say at this minute II
the company comes here 1t would necessi-
tate Encouragement OF berths."
The inquiry Of the Southern Pacific Is
much more important than II would ap-
pear on the surface. 1t indicates that the
situation at New Orleans is such that the
company is forced to look around to pro-
tect itself from great loss. With GUAR
antine against New Orleans the company
Is In bad fix not only In regard to
freight and passengers. hut In respect TO
Its vessels. The quarantine 81 maintained
long is sure to cause a serious blockade OF
freight and detention of steamers.
1t would not be surprising II the South
ern Pacific follows up It's inquiry Of yes
terday by instructing some of Its Texas
officials to make the necessary arrange
ments here for the accommodation of it's
business. While the superintendent OF
vessels has all the details of this branch
OF the service at his finger tips 1t is hardly
likely that the company can afford 20 take
chances or wait ten days when immediate
action now would insure the line from
heavy less.
Tho fleet of the Southern PsciHc COM
pany Is a magnificent one. Among its
steamers are Ell Dorado Ell Mar. Ell Monte.
I'll Nortc. Ell Paso. FL Rio. El Sol and Ell
Sud, They are the finest merchant craft
that fly the American tag OF course,
even II arrangements are male for the
vessels to come here the use OF the facili-
ties at this port will depend entirely upon
the conditions obtaining at New Orleans
Only few vessels might come here. and
then there might he dozens, but the fact
OF the line using this port would be the
means of diverting immense quantities OF
cotton and merchandise, passengers and
general traffic. Not only that. but the in
direct benefit to the port would be lasting.