El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-21

1<NNS u the ASSOCIATION.
Ell PasO Transportation.
Transportation being one of the chief
factors in the upbuildinp of a jobbing
and manufacturing center, we will con-
slider the trade extension Of FL Paso
from that standpoint. and in eonnec-
ton with the work of that department.
Of the chamber of commerce.
FL Paso was first given promin ence
by the railways; they building through
here on account OF this route Offering
the least resistance in constructing a
line across the Rocy mountain range,
and to this place in order to secure con-
nection with the first standard gage
line to be built from the Mexican cap
ital TO the United States border. The
first passenger train TO reach Ell Paso
arrived at noon, May II, 1881, by way
Of the Southern Pacific from Califor-
mia One month later the Santa Fe
was completed into the town, the Tex
as & Pacific e Paso train service was
tnaugurated IN the month of January,
1882. and the Mexican Central railway
from Paso Del Norte to Mexico City
was completed in the year 1884, at
which time the gap in the line was
closed by construction on each end Of
the line reaching Fresni1lo. point
$50 miles south of FL Paso.
From that time the mining indus
try in this section Of the world grew
SO rapidly, other lines lof business
reached a place of such Importance,
and the international and tranconti-
mental traffic increased to such an ex-
tent as to cause the building Of other
lines Of railway into FL Paso. Many
do not realize the great benefit the
railways are to Ell Paso locally. and
an example that will we'll illustrate
this, is the fact that the wages and
salaries they pay in this city approx
nae $2,0o0,O00 annually.
Rates to Mexico.
The railways reaching the Rio
Grande that they might handle
satisfactory share of the Mexican
traffic, made very favorable rates to
Laredo, Eagle Pass and FL Paso, from
both interior and Atlantic seaboaro
points, this action afterward being ap-
proved by the interstate commerce
commission in the year 1887, these rates
being necessary on account of the rates
by way of Veracruz and the Mexican
railway. The water rates to Calves
ton, together with the Texas railway
commission rates, have kept the rates
from Atlantic seaboard to q reasonable
basis, which has in turn influenced
the rates from the interior cities and
rate zones.
For a number of years nearly all the
rates from eastern points to those west
Of this city were q combination Of the
rates to and from FL Paso, until this
basis of rate making reached so far
west that it was higher than the rates
to Pacific coast terminals, plus the
back haul. The number of railw avs
and the advantageous rates placed Ell
Paso in an enviable position. but has
the city in the past, or is il now prol-
iting to the measure Of its opportuni-
ties?
The annual tonnage handled to and
from this city, exclusive Of through
trafffc-such as international and
transcontinental-wi average approx
imately 3.200,00O.00O pounds and what
is Of interest TO US today, is the pro-
portion outbound as great as it should
be.
Some critics of FL Paso claim it has
been the practice of its business men
to take what came to them withouI
effort, and that with a few exceptions
only a feeble attempt has been made
TO extend their trade. and while no
answer will at this time be made to
this criticism, It is obvious that the
future success Of this city will be
measured by its efforts and we may
expect to have a forward movement
strongly contested at nearly every
point.
Mexican Rates UnfavorabIe.
Some traffic conditions are not so
favorable to our city as they once were.
and this is true of the Mexican rates,
the keen competition of the American
and European steamship lines to Mex
lean ports forcing downward all
through rates. with no corresponding
reduction to and from Ell Paso It is
hoped that there may later be some