The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-05-10
nroNopoLrEs or WHARF SITES.


1t appears that in New Orleans there ia
movement supported by a certain eIe-
mcnt of the people TO repeat the action
taken by Galveston when water front
privileges were granted as q monopoly to
one railroad, virtually giving to that road
and the roads now reaching the island a
monopoly OF the wharves. present and
prospective.
The difference in the New Orleans oitu-
alton, however. from that at Galveston Ia
the fact that another large element, posi-
Oily the majority, see the danger to the
city's future and oppose turning over the
river front to the roads now having ter
minsls In the Crescent City. The Plea
yune goes SO far as TO say that the city
government is asked to take a step-a
grant 10 the existing railways there of a
monopoly of the commercial front of New
orleans-which. II carried out, Twill in
fict heavy blow from which the city Will
never recover" Then tho Plcayune pre-
sents some cogent reasons for this concIu-
sion which are especially worthy OF note
In the Texas coast country just at this
time Among other things it says:
The great wheat and corn region Of the
United States, once east OF the Miss sslppi
river. has been moved west OF IT, Practically
the entire hog and beef supply Of this country
is obtained from the west OF the river. The
surplus food products of the vast region be-
tween the Mississippi river and the Rocky
Mountains seeking foreign markets must get
10 the sea at a Gulf port Because they
can not bear the charges OF a vastly longer
ran route over two ranges OF mountains
to Atlantic ports when they can get to the
Gulf and desn water by a shorter route over
q practically level way.
These ccntideratlons are so important to
Tie rapdy growing trade Of the Nolthwest
that Y may be considered certain tina. IN the
from tlat quarter viii seek this mort If they
can get in mere, should the river front be
wholly made over to the railroads that even
row very nearly monopolIe it, the railroads
because they Will find themselves cut of
ircm the river trent They may 20 down
water side with their trains, but they Will not
come here because they can not
The railroads now here understand this sit- |
uaton thoroughly ard they are determined
that not another railroad. II they can pre- (
vent Il, shall have a track upoa the levee.
That is the reason why they so bitterly op
pose a public track for the city.
Here is the difference OF view based on
an intelligent estimation OF the great de-
mands OF the future, from the narrow con-
temptation only of present benefits The |
volume Of commerce coming southwark |
must naturally and necessarily Increase
at a tremendous rate, New lines of road |
as this export trade from gulf ports grows,
will follow the direction Of this commerce
and seek terminals at gulf ports. not at
or New Orleans alone hut
wherever deep water can be had. It is
to conclude that to the extent
that existing roads have monopolzed the I
water fronts at any one port. terminals /
or the new lines will be sought at other
points. The Picayune has seen the propo-
iition clearly and accurately estimated
the danger TO a port of grants that foster
OF shipping facilities,
The people OF Houston aud OF the Wert
can readily see what an immense advan-
tage deep water in the bayou would give
this place when the vast volume of prod
lcts of the West come rushing ever a
dozen or more great trunk lines to the
Texas coast for EXPORT There VIII be-
and can be, no wharf monopoly, no exclu-
iive appropriation OF water front and ship
ping facilities along tho bayou oy one or
even two or three roads--the conditions
would not permit OF II. Roads practically
shut off from Galvestons and New Or
leans water fronts viii find Houston. sa-
bine Pass and possibly other Texas ports,
ready and able TO accommodate them.