The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-11-21
BETTER PORT FACILITIES DEMANDED.
Should Her Claims for
Buffalo Bayou Improvement

public men more favorably inclined TO
ward the South than ever before. l Was
talking with Secretary OF Agriculture WIZ
son only few weeks ago. and he told
me that there was a general sentiment II
favor OF recognizing the South's claims
and he believed that those at the head o.
this government felt the same way. Mr.
Wilson himself was very favorably in-
pressed with Texas on his recent tr3r
through tho South, and think you cab
safely count upon his assistance In any
movement intended to benefit the State.
General Henderson. who is destined to be
the next speaker Of the house, is a broad
gagged. whole souled citizen, and one who
is generally understood to be in favor Of
every undertaking calculated to aid the
rapidly increasing trade OF this country.
I had a long talk with him recently, and
while I spoke OF the movement for good
roads in particular, I remember distinctly
that he expressed himself as willing to
help push forward anything intended to
secure an Improvement OF the country's
transportation facilities.
II believe the present administration
thoroughly appreciates the need of better
waterways and improved port facilities
in the South. and I think now is the time
for ycu to press your claims. The East
ern cities have been repeatedly assisted
by government appropriations, and 1t is
certainly time for the South to be given
little more attention. From what have
heard. your need of deer water at this
port is recognized by nearly a dozen of
the greatest grain producing and stock
raising States in the country, all of which
are tributary to the gulf ports. The West
and the Northwest want your waterway
to the gulf made navigable for the worlds
steamships. and when this is done they
will send such business through your
port as will astound the Nation.
~
while 1t is true that the coming ses-
sion of congress is likely to be hampered
in its efforts for internal improvement by
the new conditions that have arisen, and
the work that is to be undertaken in the
Philippines, the West Indies and Hawaii,
yet these very facts should be utilized by
your deep water committee to show the
necessity of largely increased facilities for
the vast volume of commerce
that must come to and go from the gulf
ports The great products of Texas and
the West-corn, wheat, oats, cattle, lum-
Der and cotton-wil be needed in con-
stantly increasing quantities.
This is an era of commercial expansion,
and 1t is very essential that anything cal
culated to stimulate our export trade
should be given the governments aid.
While my deepest interest just now
is in the good roads movement, assure
'ou that l thoroughly appreciate your
need of this deep water improvement at
and think you will some day
have here vast shipping interests and one
of the greatest distributing centers in the |
whole country.
Make the cities of Galveston and Hous- |
ten the twin deep water ports--for both
are needed-and let your State be honey
combed with good country roads and rail-
way lines. Such improved transportation
facilities would insure your prosperity for
all time to come"