The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-03-17
ON TO GULF PORTS
Stimulated By Prepare
tons For the Canal.
Attention of Railroads Comparatively
Remote Now Attracted Toward
Mobile and Galveston and
Other Southern Ports.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Baltimore. Md, March 16-The
growth of export and import bust
ness during the last few years at New
Orleans and Galveston has directed to
those cities, as we'll as to other ports
along the Gulf, the attention of rail-
road companies comparatively remote
from them and has caused expecta-
. tons and reports that such corpora
tions will either acquire lines of con-
nection or else build their own extern
sions to reach tidewater outlets at
the South. Discussing these PROPOSE
tons the Manufacturers Record says
Undoubtedly the preparation to
build the Panama canal has also slim
ulated interest in export terminals
along the Gulf, because it is expect
ed that when the waterway is COM
pleted considerable trade will spring
UP between this country and the west
coast of South America as we'll as
with orinetal ports, which will result
in d demand for shipments by way of
the Gulf. The Missouri Pacific sys-
tenn has nearly completed it's direct
line down the west bank of the Mis-
sissippi river To New Orleans and when
it is finished it will give entrance to
the Crescent City, not only to the Mis-
souri, Pacific Railway. but also to the
st. Louis and San Francisco Railroad.
The Louisiana Railway and NavigaL-
ton Company, is also pushing its New
Orleans extension with all possible
speed and the Santa Fe system lately
began the construction of a new road
called the Jasper and Eastern, to ex-
tend from KirbyVille, Texas, into
Louisiana with the reported purpose
of finally reaching New Orleans.
There have been several reports
recently that the Chicago Burlington
and Quincy Railway viii either build
or purchase an extension to reach a
Gulf terminal. The Great Northern
is also said to have a Southern outlet
in view. and it is rumored that other
of the grain carrying lines have their
eyes upon both Galveston and New
Orleans, if not upon other places look
ing TO the participation ia the grain
movement through Gulf ports.
mo less than five different plans to
build a railroad from Memphis to PEN
sacola have been conceived during the
past two years and while conStruc-
ton has not yet been started on any
recent developments indicate that
work may begin on one of them this
coming summer. Meanwhile, the Mo-
bile, Jackson and aKnsas City Rail-
Foad is completing its line up through
Mississippi into Tennessee and tie
Gulf and Ship Island Railroad is e.
tending across Mississippi, 50 that
there is q possibility tn,lt either or
both of these lines may become the
Gulf terminal route for some lareer
system of the West. The Birmingham.
Columbus and St Andrews Railway,
which is designed to run from Bir-
mingham, Ala, by way of Columbus,
der construction south of Chipley, Fla.
Promoters of the New Orleans and
Mississippi Midland Railway, planned
some years ago to run from New Or
leans to Carthage and Kosciusko,
Miss. have lately renewed activity
But from Texas lately came re-
port that the Colorado and Southern
had gained control of the Fort Worth
and Denver City Railway and that an
extension would be built from Fort
Worth to Galveston. 1t is further
stated that the Trinity and Brazos
Valley Railway, built two years ago
from Cleburne to Mexia, and which is
now surveying from the latter point
toward Houston will form part of this
Gulf connection, and this theory is
doubtless made the more plausible be-
cause the Trinity line has already de-
clared its intention of building from
Cleburne toward Fort Worth.
While considerable of these reports
is based upon conjecture, equally as
much OF them rests upon the SubStan-
tial foundation of fact, and even if
that portion which is speculative does
not come about in just the way ex-
pected, it is pretty certain to be real
lied in some other manner so as not
materially TO affect the promise that
back of it lies the desire of some great
roads or systems to secure Gulf OUT
lets for export business.
Here then are several railroads
partly completed which promise. ac-
cording to all appearances-for local
traffic alone could not satisfy them
to become necessary links in trunk
lines that will convey grain and pack
ing-house products to Gulf of Mexico
ports, to say nothing of a great va
riety of other freight. including coal.
Developments may take place at any
time-probabiy soon-which will show
what is to be the fate of these different
roads at present detached, but all evil
IDENTIFY designed to participate actively
and Importantly in the hauling of ex-
port and import freightsv