The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-02-12
LEGISLATION Is lNIMICAL
NJ. SearIes Thinks Il Is Responsible for
Capitalists Tlmidlty.
HAS GREAT FAITH IN FUTURE OF TEXAS
Editor Edmonds of the Manufsctur-
era Record Thinks More Ports
Necessary 10 states Progress.

The private car Iolanthe of New Yorl
arrived on the Houston and Texas Central
from Waco yesterday morning. having on
board Mr.. John E. Searles. president Of
the American Cotton company, and his
son. Mr.. J.. Foster Searles. Mr.. Richard
II. Edmonds, editor OF the Manufacturers
Hacord OF Baltimore, who has been with
MI searies on the present trip which be-
gan some two weeks ago. reioned the
party here. after brief absence spent
with relatives in San Antonio.
AT Q o'clock the Iolanthe was attached
to the New York, Texas and Mexican
train and taken TO Wharton, where one
Of the round bale plants in which Mr.
Scarles is interested. is located. V In the
meantime, the party had been Increased by
the addition Of Messrs. j. o. Lipscomb
of Lorkhart, Hoskins, n. S. Cage and An
derson of Veasco, Warren of Wallis, II
a. Paine OF Houston, r. T.. Erwin of
WhaEon and b. P. Mcdonald, w. e.
Anderson and e. II. Anderton OF Houston
Mr.. Mcdonald is the manager OF the local
office OF the American Cotton company
and Messrs. Anderson and Anderton are
alto connected with the concern. The other
gentlemen named are all interested in one
way or another in the development OF the
round bale system In the State.
During the day the party visited the
plant at Wharton and on the return trip
stopped at Sugarlnnd, where the Cunning
ham refinery was visited and Inspected.
The regular "Macaroni" train, to which
the special car was attached, arrived here
at $780, something over an hour after
schedule time, it having been held at
sugarland while the inspection OF the sugar
plant was in progress. On its arrival here
the Iolanthe was switched to a point Just
north of the Grand Central depot. where
IT. remained during the night. Mr.. Ed
mouds spent the night in the car. while
the Messrs searles took apartments at the
Lawlor hotel.
Mr.. Searles, IN conversation with a re-
porter, expressed the utmost confidence
in the future OF Texas, but stated that
feeling of timdity concerning investments
in the Stale was apparent among North
ern and Eastern capitalists on account of
some OF the laws OF the present statute
books. This feeling was being rapidly
lessened, he said, but 1t would take some
time TO thoroughly obli.erate the effects
which have already manifested themselves.
The resources OF the State are. Mr.. Searles
thinks, almost houndcss, and all that Ia
needed TO develop them is d strong and
concerted action on the part OF the COM
mercial element here.
Mr. Searles is making tour of the en-
tire cotton region of the South in order
to personally Investigate cotton handling
methods and TO arrange tor tn establish
mi Of hall y1ro Ac hi ~
been previously stated in The Post, he has
become so thoroughly convinced of the
merits of the round bale system as they
have come under bis observation. that he
has decided to devote his entlTe time aud
much OF his capital to the Industry. be-
leving, as he does, that iy,isi one OF the
greatest In the country With this end in
view Mr.. Searles has severed his connec-
tion with the American Sugar Refining
company, the gigantic trust with which he
has so long bsen identified: and has also
resigned the presidency OF the Western
National bank OF New York He will give
his attention, on very broad lines, 10 the
pressing, handling and transportation of
cotton. The company of which he Is the
official head started two seasons ago with
about $4,000 bales This season It has
handled about 100000 bales and has ar
ranged for sufficient presses to make GER
tain of handling ont of the next crop from
0o0 to 100000 bales. The round bale
system Is attracting some attention in the
Indian Territory and in Texas. and Il Is
understood that a large number OF new
presses will be put UP In Texas this sea-
son and quite number of additional ones
IN the Territory. Mr.. Searles did not ex-
press himself as 10 the exact location of
these. He claims that his system effects
q saving Of from Sc to 81 bale in the
charges for handling. accomplishing. In
surance, etc. al of which fall upon the
planters, and that of this big saving the
farmers will necessarily get large part
The movement that in the North az welt
as In the South has probably attracted
the greatest attentIc> TO this system has
been the announcement OF Mr.. Searles' res
ignation from he immense sugar business
which ne practically crested. and from one
Of the leading banks OF New York City.
for the purpose OF Jsvoting his entire eRer-
giles to cotton handling methods.
Mr. Ednonds. who. In his capacity as
editor OF the Manufacturers Record, has
had unlimited opportunities for the OBJ
servatiQp OF the degrees of development In
various parts Of the unien. is also great
believer In the future of Texas. and looks
forward to q steady and rapid Advancement
of the agricultural interests OF the whole
South. He Is very strongly OF the opin-
ion that Texas needs more ports and thinks
that there will be ample business for all
that may be built up. In line with this
belief he talked az some length on the adj