The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1918-12-28
N THE broad a8d majestic

N THE broad aDd majestic
~ IA Parana, sweeping southwark
VI ~ toward the sea, stands Argen-
tina's second metropolis, Ro-
Bario, aboux 800 miles distant from the
Atlantic. Unlike many other large
South American cities, Rosario is
neither the capital of a state nor the
capital of a nation. Its Importance,
therefore, is not closely allied with
the vagaries of provincial or federal
politics; it stands upon the solid foun-
1ation of commerce and Industry.
Across the river, and eastward from
the city's blsy streets, lies the rich
Argentine province of Entire Rios,
writes William A. Reid, in the Bulle-
tin of the Pan-American Union. To
westward stretches the level pampa,
seemingly into endless space, over
which the harvester gamers the gold
en- grain or the cowboy rides with the
growing herds-industries SO vast in
extent that foreign nations constantly
send forth their ships to trade with
this famous depot of supplies. Many a
man is familiar with the great capital
Of the Argentine nation, and with it he
associates enormous quantities of
products, very true presumption;
but fewer people hear of Rosario, more
or less overshadowed by the larger and
more palatial city, but, nevertheless, a
place that in recent years has largely
expanded it's commerce, grown In gen.
eral prosperity, and needed the call of
civic betterment.
Rosario is situated on the west bank
of the Parano, the latter, under diff
| ferent names and tributaries, coming
from sources far away in the heart of
a continent. For 200 years Rosario
has existed; but for the last few de-
cades it has been growing. These two
words are typical of the city's prog
ress, and it is Of the latter-day growth
that we write; but at the same time
it must be remembered that the unset
tied condition of the world during the
last few years and the lack of ship
ping facilities have retarded the prog
ress Of Rosario as well as other i'm
portant commercial cities.
On a Level Plain by the River.
| Rosario is located in the southern
part of tie Province of Santa Fee. In
this section Of the province the land is
slightly undulating, but as enc travels
from the city he realizes the vast area
| &c -, Nv oh ha to-
ed |; the soil il fertile, the pasturage is
usually ample for the stock, while the
absence of trees, save here and there
| the solitary "Ombu," reminds one of
the agricultural regions of Kansas and
Iowa. On this vast level plain, by the
rivers side, the early builders of Ro-
sario made a beginning. The plain
where the city stands is from so to
300 feet above the waters of the river,
and at certain seasons of the year
heavy rains in the interior of the con-
tinent swell the Parana, which rises
considerably, often overlooking its
lower shores.
| The region about Rosario being COM
parativefy level, there was little diff
Guilty in planning streets, avenues and
public parks. The streets generally
run westward from the river and are
crossed at right angles by others, max
ing about as perfect a checkerbOard
plan as any city can show. Approx
mately 1000 acres of land are occu-
pied by business streets and buildings,
and the city's population is about 1885,
900. Pleasing features of construction
are the Wilderness of avenues and
streets, the liberal number of parks,
and the general openness contrasting
with the older section of Buenos Aires
and its narrow streets.
AS seen from approaching river
steamers the city is rather disappoint-
ing. The flatness of the plain AMI the
line of bluffs along the western shore
prevent sightseeing at it's best. Should
we enter Rosario by rail, however
conditions are reversed and one gath
ers very fair impression of outlying
| districts and the thousands of low
buildings which house workingmen
and their families. Eight railroad
lines enter the city from as many d.
rections, though most of these roads
come from the westward-lying grain
fields. Noticeable in the suburbs of
Rosario are the growing number of
small agricultural patches and truck
gardens which are now supplying the
markets of Rosario, Buenos Aires and
other cities with vegetables, dairy and
other products. A decade or more ago
when the writer visited Rosario for the