The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-01-28

structed after the great calamity Of 1900,
is more beautiful and substantial and
greater than the old Galveston. Although
only a small city in the matter of popu
lation-its inhabitants numbering 40,O0-it
ranks second in the United States in the
total amount of exports for each year.
New York of course. is the greatest sea
port IN the United States. and il would
seem that such great cities as Boston,
Philadelphia, Baltimore. and New
should follow close on the heels
York in their export trade but c
so far outTanks ali except New
that "A comparison with them
odious. IN 1sJ5-iust FIVE years
city was almost wiped out by a
Galveston shipped from her WhaT
1898 in products OF Texas a.
States Of the great West and Southwest
Against this vast total New Orleans ex-
ported $50 s3S,947' in American products.
But note the change in favor OF the Gal
weston port IN one year. when it leaped
from third to second place as an export
city In 1866 the total amount Of business
that passed over the wharves Of Calves
ton was $3.50 81, 652, q gain Of more than
81, 00o00 in twelve months-and Calves
ton and Texas are only beginning 20 grow.
Fifty-three Lines of Steamships.
Galveston has hfty-three lines Of steam
ships plying 10 foreign ports. two regu-
lar lines of coastwise vessels 90 New
York. and nine lines OF coastwise vessels
10 ports on the Gulf. Six railroads de-
post their freight into the Golfers Of these
steamship lines
The development Of the country tribu-
tary to Galveston has really ony just be
gun. The business interests Of Texas and
the States Of the Northwest are realizing
that q saving in freight can be effected
by using the great Texas port. and grad
TALLY new business IL coming into Calves
ton and from unexpected sources in many
instances.
Since the destruction Of the city in 1908
"a sea wall more than three miles long
has been constructed % protect the new
Galveston. This was the achievement Of
the city. The Federal government built
jetties far out into the Gulf on each side
Galveston Bay to protect the channel
which has q minimum depth Of twenty
seven feet and an easy possibility Of forty
feet The city claims the best wharf Ia
most improved and convenient
in the United States. The wharf 'front.'
age is capable of accommodating 100 yes
sells loading az one time. and on the op-
posite side Of the bay. at the base of the
north ietty. N Port Bolivar, there is
ready for development a frontage equai
IN extent and equally as accessible, both
by rail from the Northwest. and by ships
from all parts Of the world as is the de-
veloped frontage on the Galveston side Of
the bay With not more than 20 per cent
Of the country tributary TO the port of
Galveston now developed and producing
II Is not unreasonable TO say that within
ten years. through this port. there viii
be- exported as much Of the produce OF
the great Northwest as is now being
sent through the port of New York
Lacks Defensive Protection.
But what OF the defenses of this great
port? Has Uncle sam made ample pro
vision to protect it against possible attack /
by foreign foe? Old Fort Crockett
stands there as a supposed menace 10
foreign invasion. but the thunder of its
inadequate guns, in their present condi- .
ton. would not make even the most 0bsO-
Iete war vessel turn tail and run for its
life Much labor has been spent on the
other Notifications but il is not ample. +
There is much more to be done and
should bee done NJ the earliest possible F.
the Southwest and West pouring into /
that port demands the protection that is
due. The government IS asked TO con- +
tinue its work Of providing defenses so /
that Galveston will have no fear OF in +
vasion or destruction in possible war
with a foreign foe.
Galveston is the geographical export 7.
and import city for all the trans-Missis- /
sIppi States. II is a summer and winter .
resort. As an outlet TO I
the great West. Galveston is nearer than /
New York TO San Francisco by So miles; 4
salt Lake City. by 752 miles; Denver I
739 miles; Kansas City. 4S3 miles. and ST /
Louis. 220 miles.
The rapid growth and development of +
Texas and the Northwest vouchsafes the /
prediction that the end of another year
would ind Galveston unable TO handle the .
great commerce that viii seek foreign 4
markets through that port, should the
government fail to keep step with the de-
mands of the trade in providing for
deeper water for the deeper draft vessels.
In 1905 Texas counted 100000 persons
within the boundary of its great Com
nearly $4,000 more than in
1900 The vast extent of Texas has formed
a fitting and ample scene for the employ
ment of the noblest powers of the men Of
the New World. It's area equals 265. $50 .
square miles. CT l70.O99.20 acres. It ex
tends distance equivalent to that from
Southern Florida to Virginia, Kentucky.
or Missouri Its greatest extent from east
10 west is about 500 miles, and from south II
east to northwest, over GOO miles Texas
is sixteen times larger than New York.
seven times larger than Ohio. and I0Og3 h
square miles larger than all the Eastern Il
and Middle States combined. including
Delaware and MarylanG.
England Ireland, Scotland, and Wales II
have a combined population of 81. 4G5. 4S0. Il
and an area of only 120760 square miles. \
Texas Soil Rich.
The soil of this region is aIluviaI. very
rich. and productive. and unexcelIed for
he growing of cotton, rice, sugar cane
.orn, and all kinds Of vegetables.
With all this great expanse Of country 4
steadily increasing in population and Gull
ivation, Galveston is the natural outlet
10 the worlds markets for this section
md the States beyond. The Importance
IF Galveston keeping right in the stride
If progress and meeting all the demands
IF the great Commonwealth and adjacent
erritory is deeply impressed on the minds
If Texans and especially the progressive