The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-31
THE VIEWS OF COLONEL RICHIE
THE RECENT CONVENTION WILL DE
PRODUCTIVE or GOOD.
inclined TO Think TINT Texas should
~, ~ s,r Too Much Mt one 1ine.
Approves ship Channel

! Galveston. Texas, December 1910
Post reporter Captain Richie, chiei Oh 'pe
I engineering department for this district
talked Interestingly of tho waterways
: convention which was held here Thurs
I day and Friday when asked II he con-
I sidered the convention would have any APP
preciable influence In getting appropria-
/ tions for the maintenance and improve
mont of Texas waterways he said: There
ia no doubt In my mind that sucn a repre-
sentative body OF men as was mere can
but have weight with congress lhey are
closely associated with the commerclai IN
! terests of Texas and are not merely seek
ing to get appropriations and 10 spend the
money hut want 10 see results accrue from
its expenditure. Whom such body OF men
come together 1t means that they are liot
workng Tor personal gain, for that they
can obtain only as 1t would benefit the en-
tire commercial interests from the section
or community from which they come, but
they are seeking to open up waterways
that would prove of great advantage 10 the
entire state. The recent convention was
harmonious and clearly indicated that
there is n concerted movement to begin
work for the betterment of the rivers ana
ports of Texas, and / think If the matter
is put before congress in the right llght
it will bring about good results.
There is one thing, however, that
should be guarded against, and that is the
inclination to ask for too much. While 1t
is but natural that those who represent
the different waterways should want APP
proprlations for their own section, they
can not expect or even hope that congress
will entertain such demands and that is
why l say some concerted action SHOULD
be taken and certain rivers and harbors
settled upon on which to begin the work.
To make navgable the different streams
and maintain the deep water ports o.
Texas is huge undertaking and will re-
quire years and large sums OF money 10
do the work. and that it may be done,
systematzed and concerted action must
he had among the different parts OF the
State
There is in my judgment, better feel
ing existing ut this time between the diff
ferent sections that are seeking river and
harbo, improvements than heretofore as
was shown in tie meeting that adjourned
yesterday. The view / take regarding
deep water ports on the coast my differ
with tho majority Interested, but believe
ttiA iibut' NOi example, take tue pro-
posed ship channel 10 Houston; there has
been and Is now, rivalry between Calves
ton and Houston, Galvestonlans who have
moi inyes tigated tie matter have arrived
1t the conclusion that deep water at Hous-
ton would materially hurt the shipping
interests of this city and are therefore
against such an appropriation being made
by the government. IN this l think they
are wrong. The extending of port facill-
ties on the Texas coast will tend to divert
exports from the East. as this is the nat
nral channol through which they should
pass Should the present ratio OF in
crease continue TO Galveston 1t will be but
a few years until the facilities for han
ding grain will he inadequate and unless
there are other ports opened on this coast
shippers would be forced to continue shin
ments TO the East For this reason l do
not think deep water at Houston would
in the least affect Galveston. and see no
reason WHY there should be objection to
the ship channel"