The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-19
THE MISUSE OF CARS.
Some Pslsts Brsslht Out y TIE Ssperla,
teadent's Meeting
CONGESTION OF cARsArrtRAlSAL POINTS
kansas City. Pittsburs ana Gu,f ma,
Decided ON = r1an or Refundinr
the bonded Debt Of the Road.

The meeting Of railroad supcrintend-
ents concluded at San Antonio last Tues
day and some OF the superintendents in
attendance from Houston have returned
to their posts OF duty
Among them was Mr.. J.. NJ. Lee. on.
glneer and superintendent OF the Houston
ana Texas Central, and MIR. r.. S. Collins.
secretary OF the association.
Mr.. Lee was seen yesterday aud com :
mented very favorably on considerable
good work being accomplished. which will,
have tendency this year of using cars
to the best advantage possible for actively
hauling freight, ard not allow them 10
stand on side tracks or at wharyes sew.
eral days idle with loads. in cases where
they could not be promptly relieved o.
the freight.
Cars" said he in conversation with a
Post reporter, ARE intended for hauling
freight and not to be used as storehouscs
when the freight has reached its destina-
tion. II freight is unloaded promptly tho
equipment is ready TO be used for further
service, and reasonable observance OF
u
sequence in preventing or alternating the
car famines of some lines, which is an
impeachment to the greater volume OF bust
ness that they might be able to transact.
This question of imposition in retaining
loaded cars applies most pointedly to cot
ton and grain shipments to Galveston
Intended for export. Large consignments
At nj int Had tn lpnd
vessels at Galveston wharves are started.
agreeable to bills OF lading issued TO ship
pers agents, and the consignments reach
the wharyes ready to be unloaded before,
the vessel assigned to receive the ship
ment has arrived in the harbor The con-
sequence is. as has frequently happened
in busy seasons, q blockade of loaded cars
which not only blocks up available space at
Galveston, but extends to Houston with the
same congested situation.
"The remedy is effective, II only APP
piled, which is not to start export ship
ments from interior points until the ship
which is to receive the loads is in the
positive assurance'that It will arrive within
reasonable time to prevent a congested car
situation.
these and other minor points were
the object of the San Antonio meeting and
assurance is given by a general under
standing that these stated objections VIII
be avertcd during the coming year.
Mr.. Lee stated that right here is TO be
seen one of the advantages to be achieved
when Houston has her ship chanuel com
pleted. Ships which draw twenty-five feet
OF water can come within easy reach OF the
city and a more direct outlet established.
Mr.. Lee, heing practical engineer, said
that the work OF dredging ont the bayou
once commenced with the now wonderfully
improved machinery for doing such work
would insure a completion of the job within
eighteen months after its commencement.
"These suction dredges." said he, with
revolving blades can accomplish an amount
of work in single day that Is almost
Incredible.
"They are powerful too, and will cut
through the biggest stump or tree and get
it out Of the way with no moro trouble
than the excavatipg Of the earth. I think
an appropriation Of s4,o0o.0oo would 40
the entire work, and If some company Is
engaged to perform the service instead OF
the slower and more routine government
I feel sure an eighteen months contract
to bring deep water within easy reach OF
the city could be made