The Washington herald., 1909-05-16
BEATS OTHER PORTS
Texas City Bases Faith on
Fact, Not Hope.
PORT ARTHUR ADVANCES FAST
Builds Ten Mile Barge Canal aud
Unites Trade Of Two Rivers with
the sea-John W. Gates Endovvs
Business College and Erects Hos
pitaI-Beats Out Galveston.

Port Arthur. Tex. Nay B-Port Ar
thurs history for twelve months has been
one OF progress. There was a time when
The town dragged through long era
ot discoUragement; there was time
when It felt the unhealthy stimulus Of
q boom; but to-day 1t is a picture Of
rapid. wholesome growth. with every value
based on fact, and not on hope.
Among the eighty-Odd ports that heck
the cost OF the United States. Port Arthur
stands first IL the percentage increase Of
foreign trade Of 1s0S. as compared with
Is7. IN this it is only reaping its record
OF former years II stand conspicuous
amoug all It's competitors by its rapidity
OF growth, and this accounts for the fur
ther distinction that although a dozen
years ago # was nothing, had nothing
no houses. no population. no commerce
= has in that brief tine clambed from
the bottom 70 thirteenth place among all
American seaports. Such a progress after
such a start would indicate that it is
only a question OF years when Port Ar
thur viii dispute supremacy with such
ports as san Francisco and Baltimore.
which. Ike most Of the older ports, lost
heavily in 1908.
The export business OF the country is
swinging around 10 the Gulf ports with
tbs rapid growth OF the Southwest. as
evidenced by the fact that our nearest
neighboT. Galveston last year Wrested
second place from Boston, and now stands
next 20 New York.
Beats Ont Galveston.
Speaking Of Galveston. 7 cannot forbear
pointing out the significant fact that IN
addition % our percentage gain last year.
having been about fifteen times that Of
the Island City" our increase in sheer
quantity or value basis was one and a
quarter million dollars 70 her two mil
lions; and If this quantity be measured
IN units Of weight, our gain IN actual
tons was equal 70 hers, due 70 the fact
that her exports are generally goods
worth more per ton, such as cotton, than
ours, such as oil
All these calculations are based on the
monthly summary Issued by the govern
rHent's Bureau OF Statistics. Be it care
fully noted that they refer exclusively
10 foreign trade, On which basis Port
Arthur has thirteenth place and on
which basis It's advance on either a ton
mage basis OF z dollar basis was phe-
nomenaI- But the government does not
issue any table showing comparative do
nestle trade by sea as between port and
port This cOastwise trade, as II is called
IS very great az some ports, and at Port
Arthur il is enormous owing 10 our
lumber ana oil trade. II Il were possible
10 get these figures for all ports from
some disinterested and authoritative
source. the present standing and the past
progress Of Port Arthur would be shown
in a startling light.
Employs a Secretary.
Turning TO other phases Of our progress.
We may note that the board OF trade
here has made a forward step by largely
Increasing its working funds and putting
On paid secretary. Il IS preparing 10
spend more money than heretofore and TO
prosecute a number Of plans. the details
Of which were OF too Iime-consuming a
nature for our business men TO handle
What is said 70 be the only endowed
business college in the United States IS
now rising, accompanied BY q dormitOry
70 house its students Somewhat further
OF the foundations are being laid for a
hospital All three Of these buildings are
due 70 the generosity OF John u. Gates.
his millions and his business acume1- and
after investing in enterprises here and
testing the spot as a place OF residence.
has announced his determination 20 spend
his days here, and IS now a citizen Of
Port Arthur His faith IN the town and
the town future has attracted the atten-
ton Of capitalists
The Plaza Hotel IS aow nearly com
pleted- Il VIII cost SI25,003 and be one
Of the finest in the Southwest 4 $4,000
Office building. a S20.Go0 planning mill, and
twenty-seven residences are now keeping
masOns and carpenters busy. while the
site for a government building. 20 cost
something in SIX figures. has been Sc
lected- The architects Of this city are
shown by Z recent canvass 10 be drawing
plans for thiTty-one more dwellings. The
Port Arthur Tennis ClUo Is Just finishing
a handsome clubhouse. having completed
what is said 10 be about the best court
IN Texas. Just outside Of town we see
the opening operations OF a model dairy
farm and a 12000-tree demonstration farm
10 encourage fruit culture.
VIII Build Railroad.
A franchise has been granted 10 Ohio
capitalists for a street railway, their SIN
cerity being evidenced by a handsome
cash deposit with the city government to
guarantee building, which is expected 10
begin in sixty days
These things are all the fruit more OF
less. Of the initiative OF organized public
spirit, where a dollar spent unseIhshly
for the community, with enthusiasm and
public spirit behind Il, results in the i'm
mediate investment OF s18,000 OF private
and government capital As an example.
We have the Citizens League. another
AFFAIR started last year. now numbering
30 members al pushing for our town.
It IS a gOOd-natured race between them
and the board Of trade TO do the most
good.
During 1903 We opened a ten-nile barge
canal, costing quarter Of a million dol
lars, extending northward and linking rp
the hea-% trade OF the Sabine and Necbes
rivers with our sea trade Our neighbors
on the north are now raising the money
10 6Ve2en this barge canal 70 make il
navigable for deep-sea vessels, the two
rivers mentioned behind It being already
OF sufficient depth for that use.
O. OWEN.
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