The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-17
HOUSTON MUST KEEP AWAKE,


There was news enough in yesterday
Post relating to present Developments
and possibilities in this immediate sec-
don TO arouse the deepes, interes. among
a.l the friends of progress in Houston,
and to stir this city. II II desires further
dnd more rapid advancement. to renewed
enorts to promote Industrial expansion
and activity here.
A correspondent writing from Eagle
Lake told Of the progress and new sp.r.t
Of enterprise that are Just nov percept-
Ible in Colorado and Wharton counties,
and OF the impetus to development al
ready given by the Cane Belt road now
open from sealey to Wharton.
At Wharton the other day S125,O0O was
readily subscribed to erect sugar null
ana the statement was made that $5O,OUv
more could have been secured had it been
asked tor. large rice mill is to be
located a. Lake Side. near Eagle Lake.
Between Eagle Lake and Bonus. two o.
the stations OF the Cane Belt road, 1000
acres 'ot the finest rice crop ever be-
held" can be seen, while throughout the
whole region the sugar and rice crops
are said 10 be splendid. Preparations
are being made to increase the area OF
cultivation OF both these crops and the
erection Of large mills will greatly slim
ulate production and add 10 the general
activities and prosperity OF The section,
in yesterdays Post also was the crafty
ing account OF the suhscrip ions 10 an
other big rice mill for Houston. But this
must be only the beginning Of our noY
mill movement. Rice and sugar are con-
sumed in immense quantities in the Uni
ted states, We import a far larger vol
ume than We raise, or, indeed, than we
tan raise. The American area of produc-
ton Of both crops is limited by nature
Itself Tho consumption is steadily gov
Ing as the population grows We need,
therefore, anticipate no overproductlon
ct home OF these great necessares Of II e.
/, Every acre OF our possible cane and rI,e
| lands in this country could be cultivated
! and the supply still fall far short of the
demand.
; Houstons opportunity Is apparent. She
Q must become great center for both tho
sugar and rice trade. We have Tosas
area suitable to these products as great
J az has Louisiana. Houston should be-
come as prominent as New Orleans In
handling these crops,
and, remember II this city fail, in
the premises the towns In our naturally
trihntary country viii not do so. The
establishment OF great mills and ware
houses here VIII not be in rivalry OF IN
local plants at other points. some cen
trial city must become the great clearing
house and trade center for all the SUR
rounding establishments.
Build great sugar mill and refinery
In Houston. Build rice mills also. Es-
tSbllsh warehouses and sugar and rice ex.
changes. Tobacco, too, can 30 made 8
great crop. and prosperous industry In
this section. Tobacco warehouses and
factories here would quicken production
We have reached an important, crit
ical, stage in our local commercial ant
Industrial development. We can not az
. ford TO allow the tributary country L
''grow away" from us. We must advanc,
with II, aid and lead in the movement
, DO not depend on location or acquire,
prestige longer Watch this progress
around US and keep our facilities fo
4 prohtins from It fully abreast with It.