The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-04
The Galveston Wharf Company Have
Cut Rates About Thirty-fiye
Per Cent.
INCREASE OF BUSINESS ENORMOUS.
Busincss Has Increased, but the
Company Expressed Themselves ~
Satisfied with Four and One. fourth
Per Cent Net 10 Them.


reduction OF the wharf rate, and was adj
vised that the rates had been cut on an
average of about So per cent, to take ef-
feet july 1. The new tariff is published in
another column of this issue Through the
courtesy extended by the president OF the
company, Mr.. Waters S. Davis. a few
facts We're gathered. which are herein pre-
sented TO the public:
| The wharfage embraces the frontage
from Tenth TO Forty first street and IL
owned by them. also tho sidetracks and
creosote works. the latter being operated
by the company. A new grain elevator
| with capacity of 10000 bushels is al
most completed and will be ready for uso
not later than August L. They have an
| other magnificent elevator built about four
years ago. which has a capacity OF 1,Q00,-
200 bushels. Vessels can be loaded from
both sides of this elevator There is a
Moody press on the wharf also u small
| press used TO put cotton In good condi-
lion for shipping. Several large sheds are
! in the course of construction in addition
TO many large ones now up and in use.
| Fowler & McNitie's shed is 1900 feet in
length. which they use Tor storing cotton.
The West India Steamship company and
he Mallory line have fine sheds The Lone
/
the present at pier Il. new shed for
| them will be completed in the near future.
| The yards are all In splendid condition
and the sheds are supplied with the lat
est and best improved fire apparatus. thus
making the insurance AT a much lower rate
| than heretofore. well equipped fire
patrol does duty continuously along the en-
tire frontage. providing a capable protec-
| ton for the shipping interests against fire.
| The dividends declared are sald 10 be small,
not more than Az per cent. The current
expenses connected with carrying on the
| business are enormous.
| Owing TO the large increase in business
| tho wharf rates We're reduced, the COM
pany not caring TO figure their profits to
| be more than "A per cent at the maximum.
The officers of the company are Waters
s. Davis. president; II. A. Landes, vice
president; j. Il. Baily secretary and
| treasurer and manager; j. j. Davis. as
sistant secretary. The civil treatment eS-
tended by Mr.. Waters s. Davis TO The Post
| attache was appreciated and II can be read
lily understood wherein lies this GENTLE
mans popularity
The following clipping was furnished by
MI Davis that may be of interest:
The Galveston Wharf company yesterday
published its new rates. effective July /.
Tho old schedule contained twice as many
articles are published in the new sched-
ule and the new schedule contains articles
in the old schedule have become dead let
tiers, either from change OF customs In
handling the goods or because the articles
are not handled here The blanket rates
OF cent per cubic foot OF goods less than
forty pounds and cents per 100 pounds
for goods over forty pounds is thus made
to cover a great quantity OF miscellaneous
articles, and at the same time the list Is
much simplifed.
Among the articles not mentioned In the
old schedule and contained In the new are
alfalfa seed, borates ,canalgre root, copper
matte. cocoanuts, istle, jute. nohair, pack
ing house products, speltef and zacatan.
Alfalfa seed, borates, canaigre root, copper
matte, nstle, epclter and Eacatan had prom
inont places in the past seasons exports.
There were some packing house products
sent from hero also and there is promise OF
more this year Cocoanuts have been added
TO the list because of the probability OF
the establishment of Il South American line
OF steamers within a fsw months. which
will engage in the banana and cocoanut
trade.
In order to encourage the establishments
OF the cattle exporting business the rats
has been reduced from 20 to 10 cents. The
rate on dry goods, too, has been cut In two.
having been reduced from to 2la cents.
Lead was 50 cents for 1000 pounds. but has
been cut to l Ia cents per 100. This also
was leading article of export the past sea
son. The rate on machinery was cut from
to az cents on the 100 pounds. Rope
was subject TO the same reduction. Tho
rate on imported salt was cut from to
cent. Wire was reduced from cents per
100 poundat to / IA cents. Baled wool has
been reduced from 10 cents a bale to ~
cents per 100 pounds. The rate on cotton
was 10 cents, but 1t is now made lh cents
per 100 pounds, which ia about equal to
7M cents d bale
The wharfage rate on all vessels of fifty
tons and over not engaged In receiving or
discharging cargo. or seized by legal pro-
GEES and lying at the wharf after such
seizure, has been reduced from cents to
az cents per registered ton Tor eacn Gay
or part Of day.
Vessels OF less than fifty tons will be
charged wharfage a. the rate OF 81 per day
or part OF day, instead OF 81 as hereto
fore
AS indicating tho possible policy Of the
wharf company TO do away with wharf
rates altogether go far as the general pub
Ito IL concerned and make tho railroads
and steamers liable. as Is done In the great
majority Of American ports. which thus get
the title Of free ports,' the old rule that
are to be delivered to as~yessel or agent.
whether on through bill Of ladng or not.
the carrier placing or landing produce,
goods. ETC.. on the wharf also the owner
thereof and the shipper. are each and all
responsible for the wharfage" has been
ION all shipments over the companys
whaIves, both inward and outward, the
vessel receiving or dscharging cargo Will 4
be held responsible for the wharfage, ana
the company Will hold the vessel until Inc
wharfage Is paid"
The following old rule has been elm
mated altogether; "The owpers and con-
sienees Of all goods delivered on wharf or
leyee OF the company thereby become
bound to the company for the Wharfage
thereon"
There are many arguments In favor of
tho absorption Of wharf charges by the
carriers In the Texas interior me wharf
company Is damned from one end to the
other because II charges wharfage, while
other ports give free Wharfage" A.
matter Of fact the wharfage here = re-
greater, II a. great, % At other competts
tive ports, bul II = . bughsar 70 the ehipr
per. The item q Wharfage appeau = ~ 81
bill and It looks - ~ - : eo..1. H14 W
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