The times., 1898-08-31
TRADE OF THE WEST INDIES.
baltimore Capitalists VIII Organize
n Steamship Line.

Baltimore, Aug 30.-As a result of the
agitation fori the development of trade
between Baltimore and Cuban and Porto
Rican ports a. Corporation has been form
ed to establish a 40 steamship line for this
business H
The Baltimore and West Indies Steam
ship Company is the name of the new
company. and 1t is planned to start the
first steamer from Baltimore within three
weeks. The company is chartered under
the laws of West Virginia. and the in
corporators are Henry A. Parr, Lloyd L.
Jackson. Andred D. Jones, Walter B.
Brooks, and Nicholas P. Bond The law
firm of Steele. Semmes, Carey * Bond
are the attorneys for the new company.
1T has capital stock of S590, 900, and will
have offices at S3i Equitable Building.
The organizers of the company repre-
sen. Important business and financial in
terests of the CITY. Mr.. Jackson is of the
firm of John L. Hurst & Co.; Mr.. Parr Is
OF the grain exporting firm of |. NJ. Parr
* Son, president of the Baltimore and
Northern Electric Railway and identified
prominently with the financial interests
of the city; Mr.. Brooks is president of
the Canton Company, and associated
with a number of leading business enter
prises, and Mr.. Bond is vice president of
the Baltimore, Chesapeake and Atlantic
Hallway and of the law firm of Steele,
Semmes, Carey & Bono The incorporat-
ors Will constitute the board OF directors
with four more TO be named. The addi-
| tional directors will be selected to repre-
sent the shipping. manufacturing, imam
cial. and mercantile interests of the city.
1t is the purpose of the company TO
have its first steamer. which will be
chartered, san from Baltimore before
October and carry a cargo OF flour and
provisions The chief object of the trip,
however is ts give 10 the Baltimore
business men and manufacturers chance
20 send representatives TO Cuban and
Porto Rtcan ports to make business con-
nections TO inaugurate trade with Bait-
more.
1t is intended to secure steamer with
frst-c'ass accommodation for 200 passen-
gers. and sufficient stay will be made at
each port to be visited to give all who go
an opportunity TO look over the ground
and study the situation for themselves
Business men who fee! that they can offer
| products which win be salable in these
| countries will be given the opportunity
! by this trip to confer with local meT-
chants in the PAGES visited and to note
| the distinct requirements of trade at the
| different ports Ii Is the intention OF
making the line an adjunct 20 the devel-
| opnent OF the commerce Of Baltimore In
| this direction ard to give the merchants
! and manufacturers of this city every 0p-
| portunfty 10 capture the trade of Cuba
and Porto Rico.
Baltimore alone is not to be the only
| dependency of the steamship company.
| and it has the assurance from the rail-
road companies of proper cooperation IN
! carrying freight to this city for ship
ment to the ports which will be on the
| regular lne9or lines of the company, y
! DroDgsition undeH consideration is 10 es~
! tablish a service between Baltimore and
| Necw Orleans via Havana. Thousands
| of tons of freight destined for Texas and
| the southwest. ft Is sail could be hand ed
over this route in addition to the Cuban
business. which at first may not be suf-
icient TO support the line.
II is recognized that when the stream
OF American energy which Will sweeT
th ,ugh Cuba Is in full motion there viii
be ample business for not only one line
| Of steamers from the Atlantic seaboard
! hut for others as well. If a service be
! established via Havana to New Orleans
| another service would be put on TO Ponce
and other ports in Porto Rico. In the be-
ginning the plan is to have fortnightly
| steamer out OF Baltimore, but the re-
| sources of the.comDahy VIII NC SuCH tit"
| the service can readily be increased al
| business develops.
The plans OF the steamship company
will be presented at meeting OF manu-
| factIirers of the city to be held at the
| rooms of the Merchants and Manufac.
| turers' Association Friday at p. m. Thi:
| meeting will be called by Mr.. Clarence
H. Forrest. secretary of the Merchants
! and Manufacturers Association, who fo'
| several weeks has been eudeavoring t
| organize some definite plan TO secure fol
| Baltimore the rich trade which thes'
| countries are capable of supplying. Mr
Forrest has visited a large NUMBER o
| merchants and manufacturers who woul'
| 1it,eIv he interested in this business anC
received general encouragement.