El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-06-21
Extending FL Paso's Trade; Openings
Ready In Sections Now Untouched;
Rates Discussed By an Expert

With the railroads reopened into
Mexico and peace restored in that coun-
try. FL Paso jobbing and machinery
supply houses are already receiving
large orders and they are in position
&c command much more as conditions
warrant. These conditions are rapid
II shaping themselves in such man
ner as to warrant FL Paso merchants
in expecting large orders from the sis
ter republic to the south
A W Reeves, traffic manager of the
chamber Of commerce, asserts that FL
Paso should be able to sell machinery
as far south as Guanajuato in compe-
tition with the machinery houses of
any other locality. This includes all
of northern Mexico, the richest min
ing region in that republic; also rich
agricultural region.
Rates into Sonora, he says, are some
what against FL Paso, and In favor OF
California as a result of a failure IN
readjustments. which will not continue
for very long. These rates readjusted.
FL Paso business houses will be able
to go into Sonora and meet all CON-
petition, he says.
The freight rates into Mexico have
been against Ell Paso, he says, on ac-
from Europe. but since the first Mex
ican. railroad entered FL Paso in 1884,
FL Paso has always done a good bust
ness with Mexico
Eli Paso's Trade Possibilities.
In an address before the chamber or
commerce. summarizing FL Paso trade
possibilities, Mr.. Reeves said:
The larger commercial centers owe
their growth and importance primarily
az l0o ri wi
4both domestic and foreign commerce
can be handled TO the greatest advant-
age. or on inland waterways, where
there Is q large volume of business,
due to. the productiveness Of the sur
rounding territory and TO a great ex-
tent to the cheap transportation af-
zorded by lakes and navigable rivers.
Inland centers usually have an advant-
age in location, removed a sufficient
distance from their more powerful COM
petitors possessing the most favorable
transportation facilities, and in a ter
titory which is developing. thereby
creating a demand for q base of sup
plies. banking. jobbing and manufac-
turing Headquarters In this class we
shall place FL Paso. The growth and
importance of & market of the latter
class, and even OF the former. is how
ever largely dependent on the push and
snap of its business men. for its al
vantages may be greatly overcome by
ambitious rivals, who in q systematic
way marshal their business interests
into an organized. aggressive fighting
force
Value of Organization.
A few cities, it is claimed. have won
their present positions as wholesale
and distributing centers, principally by
their intelligent organized, untiring
efforts Among these may be men.
toned Atlanta. Ga. which fought it's
way into commercial prominence
against the great advantages held by
such. south Atlantic and gulf cities as
Charleston, Savannah. Mobile and New
Orleans and the keen competition OF
Memphis. st. Louis. Cincinnati and
cities which had held the bulk of the
trade in a section now In Atlanta trade
territory. Wichita is given credit for
being IN this class, which lnotwith-
standing IT is located in a rich agri-
cultural section, had a restricted trade
territory, and this was extended only
after a determined and tireless fight by
the progressive and perfect business
organization Of that city, against the
opposition of Kansas City, st. Joe, st.
Louis. Chicago and the greatest rail-
way system in the state Of Kansas.
Today Wichita is doing a very salts
factory business at points less than
200 miles from this city, and into a
section where FL Paso does nothing-if
we except cement and coffee. It would
be presumptuous to claim for FL Paso
the distinction of being in the last
named class, so long as 1t has whole
sale and manufacturing firms who are
not members Of its commercial body.
While there are a number Of the large
property owners who are not, and
many others who are paying only the