The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-02-05
INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION.
A Writer Advises to Prepare for the
Inevitable.

The following is the first OF series OF
articles on the Industrial Expansion of
Texas, issued by the literary department
of the Sunset and Central routes:
In the Industrial expansion of Texas the
business men, farmers and others Of this
great state should neglect nothing where
by the consideration OF their ambitions and
hopes might be prevented. Enterprise Is
necessary in all departments OF poiitlcai
economy, and none more than in manhtac-
turing Industries. which, regulated by the
demand in turn exert dominant lnnuehqs
upon the fortunes and welfare OF commu-
mites and localities. 1t is remarkAole
fact. but true nevertheless. that the onlteu
States enjoys but slight prestige In com
mercial circles in South ana Centra
America. This is MOI due altogetner 70
apatnedc Indifference upon the Part Oh
our commercial interests. but in the main
is due to the question Of distance rev
people realize that II two ships OF equai
speed leave the harbors OF New York ana
Liverpool at the same time, the British
anchor would be dropped hrst 10 the mar
Dor OF Rio de Janerio, and the fact tnal
the distance, say IRON the mouth OF the
Mississippi river, to this South American
mort about equals the distance from me
European harbors 10 the same point, -
one seldom taken into consideration. To
this important difference in time Is due
the supremacy OF France, England anu
Germany in the markets OF South America,
both on the east and west coast. Inc
present Is an era OF OF quick sales and
small profits, and in FIVE times out OF ten
the question OF distance will dominate a
bargain, hence 1t may be seen how DIN
cult It is for our own manufacturers ana
producers to compete In the southern mar
kets of the Western Continent against tho
combined influences of the European man
ufactnring centers aided by an important
ally in the shape OF a lesser distance and
a corroespondingly diminished consump-
ton of time in reaching the market,
Texas has never really entered the heid
OF competition against the States OF the
East, and the enterprise OF the European
countries. and yet the prize lies at her
very door. Her proximity 10 the republics
of Central America ought, by virtue OF
position, il for no other reason, enable her
producers and manufacturers 70 place their
commodities on the counters and shelves
of every merchant in the tropics
In the event OF the Nicaragua canal be-
coming "fait accompli," the rich mar
kets of the South American seaports on
the Pacific coast would at once become
tributary to the Texas manufacturers and
farmers by virtue OF proximity.
Then again, we are neglecting glorious
opportunities which suggest themselves
even nearer home. The great Republic OF
Mexico, with her millions OF consumers
offers a continuous market for nearly
, everything Texas produces, and yet VIVA!
a comparatively small proportion OF the
! Mexican imports Texas contribute, ant
I this proportion appears doubiy insignificant
, when one considers the statement that the
exports from the United States into oui
sister republic have increased over 400 pei
cent within the past twelve months, anc
/ that, too, in the face OF wonderful de-
, velopment OF the mineral and agriculture
|. possibilities OF Mexico.
) Texas should prepare for the inevitable
I With her great cotton fields, her oil fields
her gigantic cattle ranges, and her re-
, Gently discovered coal and iron deposits
I she should be able TO step into the broad
(, arena OF commercial activity and say Il
the world that, being an empire In herself
Texas can supply empires elsewhere
; There Is much room for development ant
concerted action on the part OF the PEG
pie generally which would assist in bring
: ing about the desired end. Her cottol
j. should be manufactured where II Ia grown
her bides should be converted into leaths
and the leather into manufactured Brti
: cles at home, her gram snouin De krounl
, Into -four before leaving the State, and he
I, cattle and swine should be converted int
= meat products without the necessity o
!, shipment on the hoof 10 other States. Tn
possibilities in this direction and in othe
!, directions are unlimited. These thing
. must come to pass and what greater In
/. centiye can Texas and her people deman
!. than the example offered by enterprise an
: energy in the Northern and Easter
!. States? Prosperity will follow effort.
. merely behooves our readers to take tn
j. Initiative and go 10 the support OF enter
: lprise for the common veal.
. The South is marching on steadily to
: prosperity which will leave It's mark o
the pages OF history. and Texas. many
: sided Texas. must strike hard and otter
= that her advantages and facilities brin
!, unto her people the fruits Of industry an
! skill.
= EXCURSION TRAIN.