The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-01-11
TERMINAL FACILITIES.
A Prominent Railroad Man Gives an
Explanation Of His DifficuIfIcs

representative of The Post Yesterday
In discussing terminal facilities with a
prominent employee of the La Porte road
found the gentleman ready with very
complete knowledge OF facts and difficult
ties which have to be met and in reply to
questions, he said:
1t may be an objectionable acknowledge
ment, yet every one, possibly, is acquaint-
ed with the fact that our line is handi-
to this We can not make much Roadway.
If operated Independently, that is without
any assistance and under similar condi-
tions Of this line, I do not believe any of
the other Houston and Galveston lines
could make any money. / do not mean
precisely similar conditions either allow
them to come into Houston on their own
rails. We operate the Southern Pacific
tracks into Houston. have heard great
many, who profess to be informed, say that
the volume of business is inadequate to
support three rail lines and the Direct
Navigation; SO far as local bushes is con-
cerned this incorrect, but local business does
not figure very much In the case, Export
business is what counts. am inclined
to believe that low divisions and rates
coupled with terminal charges are the
potent factors In the case. and this ter
minaI charge business more 50. On local
car load shipments out of Galveston for
Houston nine times out Of ten the car is
loaded on a competitive lines tracks and Is
TO be delivered to competitive ware
house: thus two terminal charges on one
shipment, and our line Is not in this pre-
dicament alone. All of us have the thing.
but, of course, the line that has most side
tracks in either city is in a better condi-
ton. Some may suggest TO raise the rates,
would be cry of "thieving monopolies'
and "unlawful combinations" and various
other unpleasant compliments hurled at us.
besides we can not do so lawfully and no
line would undertake to do so independent
ly. a
When we came into the business we
found this condition prevailing and can
our selection of desirable Height, or rather
apportion sane; this would be trust;
nor can we in all cases collect additional
switching charges, on account OF the Pc
culiar conditions under which We are
placed as same wuuld invite law suits
for unlawful Determinations against bust
ness interests. On export business and
coastwise traffic we have to face n
slightly different sort of terminal charge.
Grain for export is consigned care OF an
elevator. Cars are placed at the elevators
and unloaded by the elevator; thus quickly
releasing cars which are either loaded or
returned empty for other shipments. FIX.
port grain is the most desirable business.
Cotton, cotton seed products. pig lead,
orc, spelter, -four and other commodities
are delivered to the steamship docks direct
at minimum cost of IS per car. This does
not include wharfage, which is provided fol-
otherwise Cotton, owing to us buiky ma
ture is the most costly. Detention OF cars,
often the hurry and rush attendant. I'M
certain maximum loading an average box
car should contain fifty bales. bursted
bands. maritime inspection and rejection
causing accomplishing, number OF check
clerks, tracing and claims galore. EXPORT
cotton as general rule Is in booked con-
tracts, or specified time shipments, sub
jected to shut outs" Usually the cotton
Il moi in sight when bookings are made:
To facilitate tracing and handling bills OF
ladings are numbered; in fact. there is no
1xed rule as to tho number OF bales
hill of lading should contain Cotton
must be loaded In separate cars, according
10 the bill OF lading, This Is done TO save
checking at destination by marks. or trans
ferring. After cotton Is mixea ~ me caf -
and sometimes the wrong car Is given Va
MS. mistakes In billing short TO- follow
are numerous errors that require time
20 straiohten When the struggling cot
ton is found II costs extra to get u 70 IN,
docks There is the Cow eaten" ana
country damage' and numerous other ~
10 contend With. Cotton requires more al,
tsrtton than any other commodity and
lors by railroads owing to the present nne
system is reduced to minimum, une o anS
ssrio,,s trouble is 10 prevent tie ups aho
N insure speedy unloaneky OF equipmsul
This will finally be accomplished. penevs
cotton seed products deta,n cars s s,.ino.
.naa acc c Of "ieaky condition" and lead
matches" which is growing monofonons
or oil shipments. Is engaging our hs.sr'
tion. and hope that TINS w, ~ TIE bar,
vs;s and possibly II Is. shippers shouie
give their attention 70 the barre,ins T mr.
| discsrd the ure Of Inferior barrels rhA
Il more to their interest ..x,,
| n ma uveaaat high Grade OF faSttoaesAb