The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-11
THROUGH SABINE PASS.
The Southern Pacific's Move as
Viewed at Beaumont.
TtXAS COTTON TO BE TAKEN CARE OF
Galveston Ia More Desirable. but the
East Texas Port Can Welt
He Vscd.
TfXAs COTTON TO BE TAKEN CARE Q

Beaumont. Texas, May lo.--The an
nouncement in Saturdays Post that the
Southern Pacific Railropa company had
negotiated for the purchase OF slip No .
at Sabine Pass, and would hcncoforth be
an important factor in the upbuildtng OF
the Southeast Texas port has caused con-
siderable speculation as to the character OF
would do through the Pass
Many believe that the Southern Pacific
intends using Sabine Pass as its water
SHIPPING point for Texas cotton, II will
be remembered that several months ago
the railroad commission. at the insNnce OF
Galveston, reduced the rate ON cotton from
Texas common points to Galveston to a
figure which virtually made New Orleans
competition impossible, and al the same
time Informed the railroad company that
II q lower rate was necessary TO force
Texas cotton through Texas ports il would
DC made. Action Of the railroad commits
sion could not be construed other than to
mean that the Southern Pacific railroad
would have to discontinue dyertius Texas
cotion to New Orleers, and the railroad
company therefore deemed IL necessary 10
secure terminal facilities at a Texas port
Nhuer present conditions, Galveston ia
DOUBTLESS more desirable port than ss.
pine Pass. The water facilities are not
better, but there Is an advantage in IN
surahee rates and city oonvenicneos that
40 not as yet prevail at Sabine Pass. The
southern Pacific owned no terminal ground
or water front at Galveston, however nor
uld II either own or control a railroad CON
meeting the Island City with It's main line
IN Houston In the latter respect Sabine
Pass had the advantage, The Southern Pa
citic has its own tracks into that port. now
mas It's own water front and wharyes and
under existing conditions, can handle cot
ton through Sabine Pass much cheaper
Than II can through Galveston The pre-
sumption that the Southern Pacific viii
ship cotton through Sabine Pass is there
fore only natural
1t Is also rumorcd that the Morgan
steamships which now run from New Or
leans and Bra2os Santiago to Galveston
viii be withdrawn from the Inter port and
sent to Sabine Pass. This would mean a
concentration OF all Texas business at Sa-
bine Pass, which is q little too much to be
expected ut present, though il may come In
the future,
There Is an ADVANTAGE which will accrue
&c the Southern Pacific from It's purchase
of wharves and water front al Sabine Pass
that will result In material benefit TO the
railroad as we'll as the port, and It Is a
business which has not been included In
the speculation.
AS is we'll known, the export of lumber
through Sabine Pass has grown to immense
proportions and II continues getting lar
ger. Within the past year or two Orange
and Lake Charles have entered into this
business actively, and, in fact, their sop
arate expert shipments during this year
viii equal IL not exceed the shipments
from East Texas. KAY Soc and Beaumont
mills Lumber for export from Orange and
Lake Charles is now being transported to
Sabine Pass on harges. II being cheaper
than by rail. with wharf and terminal ia
cilities the Southern Pacific Is now 10
a position 10 meet the water rates from
these cities, and as loading from cars Il
less expensive and much safer than from
barges In the stream, IT is expected that
Lake Charles and Orange viii in very
short while be sending their lumber TO Sa-
bine Pass via the Southern Pacific.
This lumber move can be looked for MS
tho first result OF the Southern Pacific deal
The others may follow In the future.