The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-09
AN ERA OF EXPANSION.
Texas Railways Are Extending and Improv.
Ing Their Lines.
SOME RuAORS CONCERNING THE |. AND G. N
belief Is That II VIII Soon own nnd
Operate the veiasco Terminal aud
Trinity and sabine,

Expansion, extension and annexation are
In the atmosphere in the railway world.
In Texas several extensions are under way
and improvements are being made on old
| lines.
Leroy Trice. general manager Of the
International and Great Northern, has
been in New York for some time past and
Is not expected to return to Texas for ten
days or two weeks, The object Of his pro-
tracted visit East has not been male pub
lie. but in railroad circles considerable in
terest attaches to it.
In the hrst place the International and
Great Northern is at work on the Calvert.
Waco and Brazos Valley between Lewis
and Bryan, and construction of the branch
from Calvert to Marlin is being
pushed, These extensions are being laid
with heavy steel and will be first class
lines when completed. which will be about
August Is.
Another matter engaging attention is
the purchase by the International and
Great Northern of the Trinity and Sabine,
which has Tor years belonged to the MIS-
souri,, Kansas and Texas. but which is
isolated from that road. 1t connects with
the International and Great Northern and
runs from Trinity to Colmesneil. AS an
acJrnct of the International and Great
Northern 1t Will be OF more value than as
maverick branch far removed from the
parent road. This purchase has not been
Confirmed, but the general belief is that
the deal has been contaminated
II IS also current in railway circles that
the Velasco Terminal has been purchased
by the International and Great Northern
and will soon be operated as part of the
main line system, and ii is intmated that
while in New York Mr.. Trice will be
present when the deal is completed. The
Terminal Is not making any amount on
the investment, but as a part of the In
ternational and Great Northern the operat-
ing expenses could be reduced TO mini
mum.
Since the Galveston, Houston and Hen
derson was taken out of the possession
of the International and has been operated
as an Independent line the International
and Great Northern has had no direct gulf
outlet OF its own With the Velasco Ter
minal such an outlet is assured. In the
BUSY season the wharf facilities at GAL
weston are overtaXed and freight blockades
are of annual occurrence. Besides there
Is and always has been complaint con-
corning wharf charges at Galveston.
Being in control of the Velasco Terminal
the International and Great Northern Sc
cures an outlet of it's own to shipping and
will be In position to reduce or absorb
wharf charges at Velasco.
With its prestige and resources the In
ternational and Great Northern will be in
splendid position to exploit and develop
not only the port of Velasco. but the
country tributary to the road. all of which
is, so to speak, within the commercial jur-
isdiction of Houston. Consequently this
city will be directly benefited by the new
arrangement.
At present there is being delivered to
the International and Great Northern sew
enty-five pound steel rails In sufficient
quantity to lay hfty-tive miles of road from
point north of Trinity to Grand Lake.
This will give practically all heavy steel
line from Houston to st. Louis as there
is very small proportion OF the road
which has not been relaid with the heav-
lest and best rail obtainable.