The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-09
FACE TO FACE WITH A PROBLEM.

that the greater city OF New York appears
TO enjoy what is popularity known as al
pull" with the government that is secur-
ing first consideration for New York over
other ports whose harbors have been desig- ]
mated in the rivers and harbors bill for
improvement.
The Philadelphia Ledger, commenting on
the fact that already plans for the forty
foot channel In New York harbor have been
prepared and arrangements made to prose-
cute the work with vigor. hopes thai the
engineers will get around to Philadelphia
after awhile and that TAT some indefinite
time after the work of dredging a thirty
foot channel''--in the Delaware--."may be
begun!" Then the Ledger concludes.
philadelphia business men, who have
undertaken to push the work OF improv-
Ing the city's facilities for commerce,
can not afford to stop pushing for some
time to come"
What lesson here for Houston!
II the city of Philadelphia feels the ne
cessity. in spite of the favorable action OF
congress in its behalf so far, OF continued
pushing" efforts for some time to come
by its business men. to secure improved
facilities for the citys commerce. how
much greater the necessity resting upon
the citizens OF Houston to redouble "for
some time to come" their endeavors In be-
half of the Improvement of Buffalo bayou!
Congress has virtually Endorsed our ship
channel project and made rather gener-
Gus allowance for begiraing the work, but
the continuing contract clause is still to be
secured, which alone Will insure the steady
prosecution OF the improvement. And, al
though we can congratulate ourselves that
work is apparently TO begin early, there
are so many preliminary steps necessary
and SO much to be done by ourselves to
meet government requirements that It car
truly be said we are not yet further than
the threshold.
Recognizing this fact the Houston deer
water committee, composed of puhllc-spir
tied, energetic, worthy and representative
citizens, who have heretofore carried th'
burden in the premises. and feeling tina
now tho city must begin in more genera
way to take up the work remaining for
to do, has appealed for public subscrip
ton OF 1000 to enable US to perform gu
, duty to ourselves in the premises and ex
pedite the realization OF our hopes.
This is a time for the citizens of Hous
ton to put on their thinking caps an
! determine once for all, what they vii
do in the premises. The future OF thi
city is largely involved in this bayou im
provement We can become great or W
may be dlstanced by rivals and retrogradC
We are not yet "out OF the woods" as
commercial polnt-there is much yet to b
done TO fix our future beyond question. w
have reached the parting OF the ways
! between progress and stagnation! Ever
dollar OF every citizen is involved In tn
, problem now before this people.
! There Is no use minclng words
, a few men have heretofore put up al
the money that has been expended in tn
way OF necessary expense In bringing tn
ship channel scheme to Its present degre
+ OF development. Hundreds of men VIII
own large interests here that would
!, benefited by any development OF Hous
t ton, have not contributed a cent towar
a the preliminary work! Many OF these me
have absolutely refused to put up an
:, are depending on others TO improve thei
: properly and their prospects for them
: II is this narrow. selfish. mossbae
. spirit that may not only overreach itse
: but seriously and permanently crippl
" the city for the next quarter of century
,f There must come change at once {
d this community will suffer In the futur
: In this day of sharp rivalry betwec
cities. and especially between gulf Goa
cities, place like Houston can not star
W still. 1t must go forward or 60 backwar
% Nothing now but the most stupid selhsl
!, ness and the densest mossbackism ca
lie stand in our pathway VIII we seize Of
Sc opportunity or neglect TT Will the Peep
- as whole contribute to further our pr
), gress, or continue to depend upon fe
in men to bring them prosperity, wealth al
i'd greatness
OF II is going to take money and good
!. amount of 1t. not for any improper b