The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-08


TO learn the ways and people of this
old town. Persons who visit the Cres-
cent City during such fete times as
the Mardi Gras season do not get an
accurate idea as TO what life and con-
ditions here really are. Most OF that
which they see is strange. and a great
deal more that they observe they clas-
sfy as odd. Everybody who writes
about the place tells about its poor
sewerage system, its mixed popula-
tion, old buildings. its monuments and
cemeteries, and II is rare il ever, that
its industrial and commercial condi-
tions are discussed penwise by the
stranger.
Moreover, the inhabitants OF the
place do not write or dwell much upon
that subject themselves. fhe city is
very old. and has been, and is so rich
that New Orleans people, unlike the in
habitants OF a new and hustling town
in the West and South, are not disposed
TO engage in any boom" methods OF
advertising either their achievements or
advantages. They have been content
in the past TO let well enough alone.
and for trade TO come TO town because
of the natural gravitation of business
TO the port OF one of the greatest rivers
in the world.
III New Orleans had been populated
by what is known in the North as
pushing" people IL would have not
only been far bigger place, but would
have been much more of manufac-
turing centre than is the case. But
New Orleans is certainly waking up.
1t now has many citizens who believe
it worth while TO accelerate the course
OF destiny by a little aggressive compe-
tition. They want New Orleans TO give
more heed TO manufacturing and less
TO cotton.
II is a matter Of fact, however, that
New Orleans has been considerable
manufacturing centre for years. IL
makes cotton goods, jean clothing.
boots and shoes. machinery, cotton seed
oil, molasses, knit goods. fertilizers.
furniture and leather on an extensive
scale and recently such railroad ar
rangements were made that would tend
TO line a long stretch of rivers front
with all kinds OF new plants. Every
we'll posted New Orleans man will tell
you OF the marvellous opportunities
here for furniture manufacturing and
cotton mills, but until recently there
has been no local disposition to impress
. the -uPeH-the world.
Now that the city has concluded to
dispose of the sewage question by prop
erly draining the city, IL is quite likely
worthy OF the city TO strike an indus
trial pace that is more in keeping with
opportunities. The estimated cost of the
plan of drainage contemplated is near
~ sS0O0000. New Orleans endured It's
street bitches and stagnant water side
walk borderings for so many years that
great many presumably competent
authorities had said either that open
sewers were better than closed sewers
in this climate, or that they had to ex-
list because naturally drainage was inn
possible. So far back as 1910. however,
one of the best engineers of the coun-
try said that drainage was feasible. and
from that time agitation for Its at
tainment was prosecuted with sporadic
persistency.
In considering the Typographical dis
advantages OF New Orleans in this re-
spect II must be remembered that at
least 80 per cent. of the area of the
principal part of the city is lower than
the normal level of Lake Pouchatrain
water. The incomplete system for the
discharge OF the surface drainage be-
tween the river and the Metairie river
into the lakes in the rear of the city
has not been successful. and now tits
proposed at the estimated expense be-
fore stated. TO drain the town by the
use of lined and covered canals. The
plans provide for their construction i'm
such manner that storm water will
drains of the lowest portions of the city
and the drainage is TO be into Lake
Borgne instead of Lake Pouchatrain,
while electricity is to be used as pump
ing power. instead of employing steam
as an agency at each pumping station.
The electricity moreover. is TO be
supplied from a central station. The
plan provides for six open canals, one
lined and covered canal and three
others to be lined throughout. which
can be covered when necessary. There
are over 1914 miles OF paved streets i'm
the city today, and The growth of the
town within 10 years is shown by the
.fartt+at- the fftercase in that period
is 20 miles. These latter facts show how
big a task the NewOrleanspee pol tb-G
big task the New Orleans people have
on their hands and what they
have done i'm that line already is a
guarantee that they are equal 10 over
coming other obstacles when aroused
to the necessity Of the occasion. The
increase in population here in 10 years
IS estimated at so 900. and the ratio of
growth today Is greater, IL is stated.
than ever before. New Orleans Is like
Philadelphia I'm the respect that il is a
city OF small dwelling houses. The
apartment house has never taken root.
Almost every family occupies whole
house. OF course the old French quar-
ter must remain at stardstill, but the
rest OF the city is spreading out and
progressive citizens say that the ac-
ouisition of cuba and the building Of
the Nicaragua canal will give this city
chance To handle the bulk Of South
and Central American trade. OF course
Mobile mad Pensacola have their own
ambitions i'm that line.
The lumber interests OF New Orleans
have long been very extensive. The To-
cal mills have an annual capacity Of
about 100. 100000 feet. while about 10
0o0. 900 feet are shipped abroad from