The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-03


I'VE can not reach any Of the present
deep water ports with our lumber on
competing rates OF export, and are con-
sequently shut out from the growing de-
mand for Texas lumber in foreign mar
kets; but our close connection with Hous-
ton viii enable US TO reach that city with
our products. so as TO take advantage Of
deep water in Buffalo Bayou"
VINO doubts. under the suggestive infiu-
ence of these potent facts. that there viii
be, in the fast approaching years, COM
merce enough descending for gulf outlet.
after exhausting the utmost capacity of
Galveston, not only 10 render deep water
at Houston indispensable 10 our indus
trial prosperity, but 70 make its port one
Of the busiest points OF export on the
tides of the sea? No one has better pro-
claimed this conception, ne.ghbors OF
Kansas, than your own distinguished
United States senator, Luc.en Baker.
Hearken 10 his utterance, after the clos
est study Of the subject: The northwest"
said he. has only commenced shipping
south as yet. When the great tide OF
commerce is fully turned that way, as it
will surely be. it vii tax the ability OF
more than Houston and Galveston COM
b.ned to do the business We are now
ready 10 offer. All We are waiting for is
the assurance that II can be handled
promptly and without delay on the gulf
Those words were uttered las words Of
prophecy, but they fall on our ears as
words Of command" If we would prevent
TIE threatened deplorable condition of a
constant blockade of traffic by the sea,
condition ever attended with evils diff
cult to depict let US heed the hoisted sig
nal of danger; let US heed il in time 10
avert the calamity it portends.
But in objection 10 the enterprise Of deep
water at Houston some may cavl at the
large expenditure of 5000 900. Let US look
first to the precedents of the past. Who
has word of criticism or condemnation,
measured by results, for the vast cost
of navigation through the Erie canal?
Who for the expenditure on the Delaware
breakwater and the approaches to the
harbor of Philadelphia; who for the i'm
mense outlay for St. Clair Flats canal,
opening commerce with the Great Lakes;
who for the money spent on the harbors
of Mobile and Baltimore, of Charleston
and Savannah, or on the channel and out
let of the Mississippi river, or for the six
million and two hundred thousand appro-
priation on the jetties OF Galveston? Who
will say that results do not stand as
monument 10 the wisdom OF the minds
that conceived and carried into execution
these great works, which have made for
the achievements Of commerce, the devel-
opment of our country, the glory OF the
republic? When it is remembered that, IN
this settled policy of waterway improve
ment, the government has appropriated
largely over $3.50 90, 900 dollars since the
year of grace 1873, who will say, in view
of the scope of territory to be necessarily
benefited that A,OO0,000 is more than
mere bagatelle for a deep water port at
Houston? Certainly, no one hailing from
trans-Missippi territory, and if he come
from other section we might expect him,
like the late lamented watchdog Of the
treasury, to bay deep-mouthed welcome
if I'VE draw near home" If he be a
brother Of the east. let US reply that the
national treasury removed distractions to
the He'll Gate OF the port of New York,
and against the removal Of distractions
to the port of Houston the gates Of hell
snail not prevail"
View this matter of cost however, en-
the plane of business calculation. Is TIE
entciT1ise justified? 1t might be sufficient
20 rest on the report of the distinguished
corps Of engineers already mentioned
where, in considering the commercial i'm
portance CT the venture (as directed ID do
by the act OF congress), they say:
"a conservative estimate would place at
S , 90 Fer annum the direct saving IN
freight on produce shipped via the Cal
v.ston entrance which would result frcm
| such an improvement of this waterway
as is cont, mplated in the act under which
this board is convened.
This saving of 100000 in freight would
alone justify an improvement Of this mag
nttude, as it amounts to mora than the
probable cost Of maintenance and the in
terest on the estimated first cost Of the
work.
1.-The board is, however. Of the opinion
that the saving on the freight actually
using the Galveston entrance IS but a
small measure OF the value Of such an
! improvement to the farming communities
! Of the neighboring states. as all rates 10
| the seaboard would necessarily be sf-
! fected."
When It Is understood that even now
Houston is annually trsnsa citing by means
of barges and light draft vessels, more
| than 100000 of business over Buffalo
bayou to the ocean-going ships OF the
/ Galveston entrance. the significance OF
these quoted observations will appear.
! The annual saving of $500, 600 IS predicated
not upon the saving to accrue 10 the gen.
! eral commerce OF the other states and
! territories, but upon the present COM
merce actually passing al this time
through the gulf outlet OF this port Of
/ Houston. II the saving from the present
| traffic would alone justify the expenditure.
| what shall be said in contemplation OK
[ the saving 70 the general commerce Of the
! great northwest. ready, as the senator
| from Kansas declares, 10 turn its tide that
| way? Aye. ready. because the average
! distance from shipping points Of Wyom-
/ ing. New Mexico. Colorado, Iowa. Ne
| braska, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma
! 10 say nothing OF nearer points Of affect
/ ed territory, Is shortened y nearly one
/ half over that 20 the port % New York
! Let Us illustrate sonnet hing q this great
! saving. turning % the message OF ire
| past and guided By its calcium uga-
! Here n the state Of Kansas, IN he year
! 1ses. the crop OF corn vas $4,000 bush
/ els less than that of Nebraska. lying by
/ her side; yet Kansas, being The sharp@s,
/ point q competition between the gaf and
| tie east realized on that one crop aloha
I > 90 10o more than Nebraska. a. The re-
/ suit OF deep water OF the g1lE Think %
/ ~ TWO millions mere i1 frsig5t savings
I q -.a fa-nca-. Of Eau.as l- ..a Haar