The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-04-04
IRON AND STEEL
BETTER THAN OIL.

Il
! sfar of what We should look for near our home ~ H.
ord in the Forum for April r9oi
DESPITE its enthusiasm over the appearance OF the second
giant gusher rendering certain the immensely of the lake
or whatever may its source, Tbs Posi- displays faint
note Of disappointment which many will share yet little
reflection should that this is due alone to mis-
apprehension under which have long abored concern
ing the fuel question generally As Mr. Ford spty
We do sufficiently home Thus has been with
our uei-coal Ignite The plain fact that the State
suddenly awakens desire for factories and feeling
assured OF abundance OF all kinds of rich materials
surprise manifested that factories do not de-
mand As THE Pos has frequently stated but real bar
existed-lack of fuel and with the arrival OF the gush
ers 10 our troubles must at end Oil is fuel it is
ruecertanly generator; hence it of priceless
significance its section of the State and for the future
in other directions, yet unseen
Anything capable producing power less price than
has formerly prevailed always be welcome but
than when the thirst is upon
Were it the sole fuel available in the State it would in
deed be godsendone Of the greatest blessings award
ed people, but, after ALL have many different
portions Of Texas coal real bitumnous coalnature
ueof far greater value than oil be? And what
Of the almost fabulous of Ignite in close proximity
to the celebrated iron ores of East Texas?
The oil like the coal and Ignite, is valuable only
end of itself it has intrinsic worth neither
has the Ignite in its present condition OF neglect. Texas
would he appreciaby richer with million geysers
they too, not utilized
THE Posr strikes the keynote the situation in its ed
orial of the ash when says I'VE have always hoped
much from cheap fuel At that fuel here What to
be the next step
As have just remarked, cheap fuel has always been
here Only have been too slow appreciate it. The
benefits be derived large quantities of oil are mani
fold and both direct and indirect OF supreme Importance
is HE degree Of That lcW be aroused in Tcrd Thou
sands OF propcctors and investors will visit the State and
the natural effort Of every bright mind will determine
the method Of utilizing the great discovery As locomotive
fuel and to extent. in steamships already by no
means INFESTED Processes will be devised by the simple
changing CRATES in Houston aiordug motive power TO
many factories But its first result will be the awaken
ing OF capitalists everywhere to the pivotal fact that Texas
must have fuel in large quantities of the best quality and
prices allowing competition with all rivals This unQues
tonaby the prime need of the hour that no min
erals may be left uneploed especially that and
steel be developed the scale commensurate
with the great stores and availability OF materials
entering therein.
Why be satisfied with one weath-producnp fuel when |
others also obtanabe and probably more evenly dis
uibuted the State: Because we are enriched by new
iue the commercial use of which yet almost unknown
will the captains OF industry, have already made
America so renowned by better and cheaper fuel
that requires inventions nor changed machinery to
exploit the vast wealth of our iron mines?
Far be 1t from me to utter word to the detriment Of
Beaumont treasure nor if desired could the word
OF one individual detrat from its recognized value
to the State.
But do contend-and therein DEFY contradiction-bat
ron ana seei arc me fundamentals OF the age and
their development will do aught else to enrich
ou State 10 bring climate the best skilled WORK
men to i the county Golfers with the proceeds of taxation
which now fall primarily upon the agricu-tus and lastly
to attract to its farms new homcseeker by thousands
supply the needs OF The rerowing Communities of me
ehanics as factory follows factory and we advance from the
iron furnace TO the vast establishments which are the out
come OF this age dt steel.
IL
Gan not our intelligent business ne prevailed unon
OF investigate this OF all modern wealth bepetter
note that some Of these gentlemen state in reference 70
the visiting delegation from New York that tho - ~,
nave more interest in visiting South and East Texas 10
the reason that the rice and oil DEVELOPMENTS are n. and
are " condition TO invite the investment of capital Then
there Is growing interest in timber lands" These are go
sested as more interesting than the agricultural districts +
There No IRON also in reyas Surely as long as orr hest
uehneFae ignore what is beyond question the greatest
"ohder-he most magnificent resource of the Sate,o TO-
~ St OIL interesting outside capital for its DEVELOPMENT
hey speak OF the timber Why one little 6ftytnn Co.
Ie eques from 70 600 to 100000 of timber land to
"NeS It's charcoal supply though refores,ra
Nen INTO account Il has frequently been shown What
"o"a oe saved to Texas with the entire cotton cron man,
~, anu consumed at home Prof Hall of Georgia in
ms ADDRESS before the Southern Industrial convention Gave
le" hgufes showing the progressive wealth nrod,o
a ton OF iron he remarks: VI
i''" ore eo5''"S Is cents made bar iron will sell for
~ S'oSo table knives $500, the finest needles
10000 ShTt buttons $1oAso watch springs 5000 49,
springs 100000, pallet arbors Ss.57z.sos" 1@ d
@ ' II DC remarked that according to the latest United
o''a reports Texas iron actually produced a.
@ han that OF any other State N the country I
< Is claimed that Cherokee county alone cop,i au
luaTe miles OF ore Yet this deemed of too little cons
lue'e 10 be brought to the attention of the New y ;
Quantities indeed could but excite perer,
mess verified by their own eyesisht NO''''S' IL
a.
III, s1' IRON ore deposits little considered in T d.
"pu'u We assume that coal is more highly es,,I, T
n''e nave been no actores-really no manufac,r Vi
INV o,S.. could create such demand for coal o.
~ o,as' iue' as would Justify the heavy outlay r
'es's and purchasing the machinery sbereu;,t - OF
op''s treat IT. and to put it in condition Of ,; 70
any statistics available showing wha, coal OF
~ SHOWN TO exist Has any expense been incrr p st
ne effort to obtain coke? Insured IN in
oW are we TO meet guests next month nd 80. m m