1836 1936
~l. xlv ¯ MAY,1936 ¯ No
0 A ~L A 0 0
PUBLI~NI:D IN MAY AND NC)VI:MnI::r~ np I:::ACN YI::A-I~ ~’<,
0
0
O0 A NewIndustry for the Mr. George A. Hill, Jr., President, CANTON, NORTH CAROLINA Houston Pipe Line Company, TexasCoast Houston, Texas.
Dear Mr. Hill:
a NewName I want to thank you and, through you, your ent~re organ- ization for calling, our company’s attention %o Houston and the Gulf Coast of Texas. Here we have found not only many of the resources essential to onHouston’s the manufacture of paper -- timber, salt, sulphur, lime and you~ own natural gas-- but also Convenient access to our marEets by means of an excellent system of railways and s:eamshi~ linea. ~ie are more than pleased that we IndustrialRoll decided to locate our new pulp mill on the Hous%on Ship Channel. The Houston Pipe Line Company materially influenced this decision. You furnished us with unbiesed information on a w~riety of subjects, and ~e have found that information ~o be reliable and accurate. Indeed, it " is not too much to say that we w~re ~u~prised to find that any business organization could be so ~ell i~’ormed about so many different things net TH Oonnected with its own business. I ~ant to congratulate you on the way the E HOUSTONPIPE LINE various departments of your com~,ny were able to take hold of the problems COMPANYwelcomes the Champion peculiar ~o the ~aper i~dustry, ~nd I ~anb to thank you for the fine co- o’~eration they have given us. Paper ~ Fibre Companyto Houston. The first unit of our Houston mill will cost about $3,5OO,000 Its decision to locate a newpulp mill to build. Eventually it will provide employment for a thousand men or more. ~md we shall use, of course, considerable quantities of the Texas resources on the HoustonShip Channelnot only mentioned abo~e.
provides a newmarket for Texas re- We are already thimkin~ of ourselves as Texans, and as Texans, it is pleasant ~o know t~mt we have been able to add a new industry to sources, new employmentfor Texas Houston’s diversified llst of industries.
labor, newdollars for Texaspayrolls; Finally, I can assure you that the business relationship so happily be~ between your company and m~ ne wi]I last for a good man~ years it also adds to the diversity of Texas to co~e. SJ~ucerely yours, industries, andthis is significant. The industrial developmentof the Y FIBRE COMPANY, Gulf Coast of Texas is only well ~O|]o~~o. |~n | ~o~~/~" ~ ~ Executive¯Vice-Presldent started. Here we have those things RBR:b ...... which industries need: the raw ma- terials of manufacture,transportation, prosper accordingly the farmer, the Iocatior for its newestDUID ~nill among markets, and unlimited resources of professional man,the merchant,skilled the smokelessindustries on the Hous- natural gas for fuel. Industries of a and unskilled labor. Weare frankly ton Ship Channel;and as a Texasin- diversified charactercan profitably lo- proud that we have been able to stitution, serving the great South cate here. Within the next decade, ass;st the ChampionPaper 0 Fibre Texasarea, we will continue actively industrial expansionin the coast coun- Company,representative of NewIn- to engagein fostering its industrial try should be rapid. All of us will dustry on the Texascoast, to find a development. HOUSTON PIPE LINE CO. Subsidiary o| Houston Oil Company of Texas ~A.H~JL,iR.,President Wholesalers of Natural May, 1936 2 Houston PORT BOOK
P. O. Address Box5125, Harrisburg Station Plant Telephone HOUSTON, TEXAS Wayside 4554 HARRISBURGMACHINE CO, INC. OLDEST MARINE REPAIR PLANT IN PORT OF HOUSTON General Machinists, Founders, Boiler Makers, Copper Smiths, Electric Welding, Floating Equipment . Including Barges and Tow Boats for Ship Repairs
Night Telephone Numbers R. A. Fenzl, Wydown 91612 G.A. Mather, 3r., Wydown91155 Pres. and Gen’l Mgr. G.C. Hilllard, Wayside 8936 B. D. Cobb, Wydown 91249 R.A. McTyre, Wayside 1185
¯ . . OFFICES AT . . . "STRACHAN LINE" Services by Direct Steamers to SAVANNAH~GEORGIA BRUNSWICK,GEORGIA UNITED KINGDOM CHARLESTON~SOUTH CAROLINA JACKSONVILLE,FLORIDA STRACHAN SHIPPING COMPANY CONTINENTAL FERNANDINA,FLORIDA PENSACOLA,FLORIDA Steamship Agents and Ship Brokers MEDITERRANEAN MOBILE, ALABAMA ADRIATIC BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA @- MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE SOUTH AMERICAN AND Cable Address: "STRACHAN" NEWORLEANS, LOUISIANA FAR EAST PORTS GALVESTON,TEXAS Codes: HOUSTON, TEXAS BOES, SCOTT’S, WATKINS’,BENTLEY’S, A. B. C. --O -- DALLAS,TEXAS O"-- --0---- CHICAGO OFFICE UTILITIES BUILDING NEW YORK OFFICE 327 SOUTH LASALLE STREET WHITEHALLBUILDING HOUSTON, TEXAS ? 17 BATTERYpLACE
SHIPSIDE WAREHOUSE PATRICK TRANSFER & STORAGE COMPANY Operators ¯ HOUSTONDIVISION ¯ LONE STAR PACKAGECAR CO. Specializing in General CommodityStorage and Handling
250,000 SQUARE FEET STORAGE SPACE
FIREPROOF REINFORCED CONCRETE WAREHOUSE
EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SPRINKLER LOCATED AT SHIP SIDE
Floor Level 35 Feet Above Mean Low Tide Import and Export Electric Conveyors Leading To and From TRACKAGE CAPACITY 84 CARS Shipments Handled Ship’s Berth Free or Bonded All Railroads serve our Shipside Warehousethrough Usual Handling Charges the Port Terminal Railroad P. O. Box 1682 Apply Uptown Phone Preston 0111 No Extra Cost Between Shipside Phone Wayside1869 Ships and Warehouse Phoneconnection to all ships berthed at our dock May, 1936 Houston PORT BOOK 3
INTRACOASTAL TOWING AND TRANSPORTATION COMPANY Cable Address PETANK TUG CALL
GENERAL HARBOR LIGHTERiNG AND COASTWISE AND OIL TOWING A COASTWISETOWI NG SPECIALTY
TelephonePreston2181 Preston2799 Night Wayside3416--Lehigh 8780-4954 504Petroleum Building HOUSTON,TEXAS
Menfollow Payrolls.. ~ ¢¢and payrolls follow the PowerLines
ONEof the most vital factors in makingcities attractive is electricity. It makes men more productive, enables them to earn more. It reduces home drudg- ery, and gives their wives more time for pleasure. It helps build prosperity. Hence population has flowed to centers with dependable power supply.
Nowpower is reaching out to the smaller places. Suburbs, towns, villages and farms are being supplied with service that, a few years ago, only the big cities enjoyed. And as that development goes forward, it will have a broad influence on the movement of population--for men follow payrolls and pay- rolls follow power lines.
HOUSTON LiGHTiNG & POWERCOMPANY 4 Houston PORT BOOK May, 1936
SOUTHERN STEAMSHIP COMPANY "Houston’s"-Pioneer Steamship Line"
Sailings Between PHILADELPHIA, PA., NORFOLK, VIRGINIA and HOUSTON, TEXAS. From Philadelphia, Pa., Pier 46, South Wharves ...... Every Wednesday and Saturday From Norfolk, Va., Norfolk Tidewater Terminals ...... Every Thursday From Houston, Texas, Pier No. 3 ...... Every Monday and Thursday Fortnightly sailings from Houston, Texas, to Norfolk, Va. Seven Fast Steamers Serving. Texas and the Southwest TWENTY-ONE YEARS OF TRANSPORTATION ACHIEVEMENT
General O~ces: 1360 Broad Street Station Building, Philadelphia, Pa. Address Southern Steamship Co., O~ces in Norfolk, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, NewYork, Dallas, El Paso, Fort Worth, and San Antonio. W. M. Vaughn, CA., Dallas; E. M. Sones, CA., Fort Worth; W. A. Bielstein, CA., San Antonio; R. T. Eatman, CA., El Paso W. F. Land, CA., Houston; A. S. Baker, Jr., TFA., San Angelo
T. A. O’BRIEN, GENERALFREIGHT AGENT, 1360 BROADSTREET STATION BLDG., PHILADELPHIA,PA. H. T. LINDSEY, GENERAL AGENT, 409 COTTON EXCHANGEBLDG., HOUSTON, TEXAS
D REDG I N G Ship Channels . Harbors . Slips and Terminals . Filling . Reclamations . Drainage and Levee Building
DREDGE"DUPLEX" DEEPENING13 MILESOF HOUSTONSHIP CHANNELUNDER GOVERNMENT CONTRACT
The Sternberg Dredging Company with its large fleet of Hydraulic dredges, bucket, dragline, derrick, and cableway machines is equipped to handle any excavation problem. STERNBERG DREDGING COMPANY GALVESTON, TEXAS ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI May, 1936 Hous/on FORT BOOK
THE ARROYOCOLORADO NAVIGATION DISTRICT of Cameron and Willacy Counties (Harlingen) Texas PURCHASES AN ELLICOTT DREDGE For dredging a barge and pleasure boat channel [rom Port Isabel to Harlingen, Texas
THE ARROYOCOLORADO NAVIGATION DISTRICT, Harlingen, Texas (Joe L. Penry, Jr., Chairman; A. J. Carpenter, Secretary, and J. B. Chambers., Sr., Commissioners) purchased the twelve-inch Diesel electric hydraulic dredge "TEMPLE" illustrated above. This dredge was designed, built, and delivered ready to go to work by ELLICOTT. It has been working for several months and is making a record for high output and low cost of operation.
ELLICOTT DREDGES FOR ANY MARINE EXCAVATING JOB FOR HARBORAND CHANNELIMPROVEMENT. For digging canals, or for maintenance, straight. ening channels, deepening or enlarging harbors.
FOR FILLING AND IMPROVING WATERFRONTREAL ESTATE, for residential or commercial property, for airports, golf courses and parks.
FOR BUILDING DAMS, PRODUCING SAND AND GRAVEL, cleaning reservoirs, deepening power canals these are a few of the many jobs best handled by a hydraulic dredge.
The Ellicott Machine Corporation has been building hydraulic dredges for fifty years. We are pre- pared to build complete and deliver afloat, ready to go to work in any part of the United States or abroad. Our Engineers are at your service Send ]or latest catalogs. ELLICOTT HYDRAULIC DREDGES ANY TYPE - ANY SIZE - ANY SERVICE ELLICOTT ~ACHINE CORPORATION BALTIMORE:. MARYLAND U.S.A. 6 Houston PORT BOOK May, 1936
TEMPLE LUMBER COMPANY Serving Houston’sIndustrial and ~ort "~evelopmems
TWO YARDS TO SERVE YOU
HEIGHTS LUMBER YARD TEMPLE LUMBER COMPANY 425 West 18th Street ": C.A. Davis, Mgr. 3400 Polk Avenue :: M.L. Barr, Asst. Mgr. Houston, Texas Houston, Texas
REARDON SMITH LINE
GULF--FAR EAST
STATES MARINE CORPORATION GeneralAgents
NEWYORK: 8-10 Bridge Street HOUSTON:Cotton Exchange Building
Welcome to SAN JACINTO INN Located at the HisTorical San Jacinto Battle Grounds Twenty Minutes Drive from HousTon FAMOUS FOR SEA FOOD AND CHICKEN DINNERS MUSIC AND DANCING EVERY EVENING
Don’t Forget, Folks, WeClose Mondays--Except Holidays! May, 1936 Houstolz PORT BOOK 7 ,, ,,The Port Director’s Page
The Rail-Water Terminal Problem
rE HAVE NOTED the comments on this tion, checking, car cleaning, and all the multi- W terminal industry as set forth in WORLD tude of terminal services, and you will be PORTS, official publication of The astounded at the variety of inequalities. American Association of Port Authorities. There is where the problem began and has The recent discussion of "Uniform Charges continued to fester until now it is rotten. As this and Remunerative Uniform Charges" in the is written, an important Gulf port enjoys tariffs WORLDPORTS MAGAZINEhas again visualized published by the carriers quoting car unloading the difference in opinion and leaves the matter to shipside at 4 and 5 cents per 100 pounds, but as chaotic and uncertain as it has been since the well informed competitors know that secret car war--for twenty years. loading agreements enable smart and large ship- It has been demonstrated for twenty years pers to slip over the rail-water terminal at actual that the railroads will do anything at a rail- labor cost. To meet such competition would im- water terminal, regardless of cost, that will con- pose burdens on any terminal. trol the line haul of a commodity. Similarly, at another port the carriers have It has been demonstrated at many ports published rates for wharfage and car loading to that private terminals will cut or shade a fixed apply on cars loaded on rates on which the rail- tariff rate to handle a commodity. In some cases roads absorb terminal charges, but on any other relying on another accessorial service to pay the cars they do not mind seeing their own carload- lOSS. ing rates cut and slashed below cost. It has been demonstrated that public termin- Out of this condition grew the motor truck als vary from giving all terminal service away abuse of the terminals. on a vain and foolish policy of meeting competi- If the carriers would stop such practices and tion, to a policy of collecting all possible reve- make a uniform tariff on all line haul cars, and nue. In general, there is no fixed policy. insisted in their contract with terminal owners With these three in competition anything that such charges would be applied on all freight, can happen and has happened for a long time. they would stop most of the troublesome prac- tices. No terminal operation can assess a charge The problem looks harder than it actually on a truck when there is no similar charge on the is. All three of them are after line haul freight car. of the railroads and as such are offering for hire, to the public business, their facilities. The answer to this terminal problem is uni- formity in contract between terminals for hire They are a fundamental part of the rail- and the carriers. road and a part of the rails to and from ship- side. The freight car at the edge of these termin- als is the same car. But look over the agreements of the carriers as to terminal services of switch- ing, car unloading, car loading, trackage, inspec- ( May, 1936 Ho2eston PORT BOOK
HERE’S HOWTHE FORDV’8 TRUCKIS
I. WE LENDYOU a new truck ~. YOUR OWNDRIVER takes the wheel-- 3. YOU CHECKTHE RESULTS for an "on-the-job" Iest. Truck the Ford V-8 Truck goes out over your own Test proves Ford V-8 perform- picks up your own load. regular rouies, hauling your own load. ance, efficiency, economy.
~-Why not try it on your own job now ?
OST Ford V-8 Trucks built to stay on the jobl M Now, in the Ford V-8 Truck PROVEDIN ’35, NOWBETTER THAN are being bought by, rather than sold to, truck oper- for 1936, you get the same V-8 EVER,THE FORD V-8 TRUCK ators who try before they buy. performance and the same GIVESYOU : These owners haven’t been rugged dependability--plus asked to listen to sales argu- new advancements that give 80 H. P. V-8 ENGINE--down- FULLTORQUE-TUBEDRiVE--with draft carburetion--ex- radius rods for positive ments-they are choosing their even smoother operation and haust valve seat inserts-- axle and wheel alignments, Ford V-8 Trucks strictly on the longer life. Study the features improved crankcase ven- longer tire wear and surer tilation. ¯ braking. ¯ basis of superiority proved by listed here and consider how IMPROVEDCOOLING-- with HEAVY-DUTYCLUTCH -- centrE- "on-the-job" tests. much they mean to anyone who larger, 19-in. fan--exhaust force action increases ca- wants to cut trucking costs. type hood louvers--and pacity up to 400% at high Their experience confirms a radiator of fiat tube and engine speeds--pedal pres- what owner records show--that Ask your Ford Dealer to lend sure reduced. fin construction. the 80 horsepower Ford V-8 you a 1936 Ford V-8 Truck. STROHGERFULL-FLOATING REAR RIB.COOLEDBRAKES--self- Truck engine offers the ideal Put your own driver at the AXLE--heavier shafts, new centering shoes, cast alloy balance of power, speed, flexi- wheel and put it on the tough- cone locks between shaft non-scoring drums. bolts and wheel hub. bility and economy for modern est job you have. Then check CORRECTLOAD DISTRIBUTION-- hauling. That chassis, frame results--and draw your own EXTRAHEAVY DUTY FRAME-- more room in cab--more conclusions. There’s no charge high carbon pressed steel, loading space ahead of and bodies are designed to meet with full channel depth rear axle. 90~70 of all hauling needs, and or obligatlon whatsoever. cross members. O GREATLYREDUCED MAINTENANCE NEEDLEROLLER BEARINGS --with low cost engine AUTHORIZED "FORD DEALERS --for universal joints. and parts exchange plan.
AND UP, F. O. B. DETROIT--Easy terms through Universal Credit Comoany, under new ~ per cent ’500 a n~onth ~nance plans. FORD V’8 TRUCKS "Advertising Houston to the World"
HoHsto# PORT BOOK Official Publicationof the HoustonPort Commission HOUSTON, TEXAS
VOLUME FOURTEEN MAY, 1936 N UMEI’, Oxl
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAG l FOREWORD The Port Director’s Page---T/w Rail-Wak.r 1 crmi,al Problem 7 Map of Turning Basin, ShowingLocation of Public Wharves and Elevator ...... 10 Through the co-operation of the ship- ping and industrial interests of Houston, Directoryof PortOtficials ...... 11 the Port Commission has been enabled to Administration of the Port ...... arrange for the publication of this book 11 twice annually. Directory of MaritimeInterests and Foreign Consulates...... 12 Its purpose is to inform shippers and Modern Pulp Mill Now Under Construction on Ship Channel ...... 13 all others interested in. the Port of Hous- ton of its development, charges and other A Bit of Texas Histor) ...... 14 matters of interest, and inquiries will at all times be welcome. The Texas Centennial Celebration ...... 17 Address the Director of the Port, Civil The Houston Chamber of Commerce--A Dircc!o~’), ...... 18 Courts Building, Houston, Texas. Flood Causes and Control in the Houston Area ...... 19 THE HOUSTON PORT Book is pub- ttouston’s RelationsLip to the Cities of the G:cxt Southwest--Austin 2! lished in May and November of each year under contract and authority of the Tariff ~f the Pot of Houston ...... 23 Navigation and Canal Commission. Map--Shou’ing Port of tIouston Industrial Dis/tit’? ...... 24-2s As the official magazine of the Hous- Public Wharves--A Description of ...... 26 ton Port Commission, this publication is intended to carry authoritative descrip- Private y-~¢ harves--A Description of ...... 26 tions, notices and articles in regard to the Port Notes--Ncu’s Items of the Port and Its Actititie.~ ...... activities of the Port Commissionand the 27 port development. However, the Cam- Houston Ranks as a Major Port of the United States ...... 35 missioners cannot be responsible in all ) ¢ respects for the contents thereof, or for Comparative Standing of Texas lorts--,2alcndar Years 19~4-193~ 3~ the opinions of writers to which expres- Port of Houston--Co:nmcrcial Stalisths 36 sion is given. A Detailed Description of the Port ...... 40 The publication is distributed free to maritime, transportation and industrial Privately Owned Terminal and Industrial Facilities ...... 43 interests in the United States and foreign Houston Steamship Service--A TakJc S.6ou’,:nq S!c:;ms/#p Lines, Port.~ of (Tall and countries. Agents or Operators ...... 4-6 Additional copies of this publication Tanker Line:--A Table ShouhLqTan/’cr Lines, I)¢,’1~ " of Call an,t Agents or may be had upon application to the Di- Operators ...... 47 rector of the Port, Civil Courts Building, Houston, Texas, or to any of the adver- Channel Pilotage and Charges ...... 48 tisers. Tug Boat Tariff for Houston Ship Channel 48 Charge for Mooring and Unmooring Vessels ...... 48 / ~ "...... / , - ...... -......
i, ----
f
\ - _ -_. \ May, 1936 ltous/on PORT Book II
Directory of Port Officials
Board of Commissioners
J. w. EVANS,Chairman R. J. CUM~’[INS, Vice Chairman W. A. SHFI~X[AN, Vhe Chairman K. E. WOMACK,Commissioner H. C. COCK13UR×,Com,~is~ioner
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS J. RUSSELLWAIT, Director of the Port J. I. ARCHER, Accountant D. A. SIMMONS,Counsel CHARLESCROTTY, Assistant J. T. HANWAY, Slip/. ~g/)arves H. 1,. WASHBURN, Auditor GEo. S. COLBY,Supt. Grain Elevator Dept.
OFFIcE--FIFTH FLOORCIVIL COURTSBUILDING, HOUSTON,TEXAS Telephone Preston 3241
Port Officials DIRECTOR OF THE PORT ...... J. RUSSELL WAlT Executive Office: Civil Courls Bldg. . .Preston 324i Residence Telephone Hadley 9457 ASSISTANT ...... CHARLES CROTTY Residence Telephone Hadley 7239 SUPERINTENDENT OF WHARVES ...... J. T. HAy\ray General Office: Wharf 14 Telephone Wa),skte 7174 Re.~idence Telephone Hadley 8651 SUPT. GRAIN ELEVATOR DEPT ...... Geo. S. COLI3y General O.{~ce: Wharf 14 ...... Wayside 7174 HARBOR PATROL OFFICER ...... RAYMONDCA(;[: 3607 Broadwa) ...... P/aonc Wydou’n 9-1209 Assistant ...... R. E. Snook 8005 lunius ...... Telephone Woodcres* 6-115 I FIRE BOAT "PORT HOUSTON" Phone Preston 2523 Sla. 2I HOUSTON PORT AND TRAFFIC BUREAU H. B. CUMMINS,General Manager J. I,. RV;AD,Assistant 1507 Cotton Exchange Building, Houston, Tea. Telephone Preston 0552 On June 1, 1936, the Houston Port Bureau will be consoli- dated with the Houston Port and Tra~c Bureau, and after this date address all communications to the Houston address of the new Bureau.
Administration of the Port
HE PORTOF HOUSTONis operated by the Navigation and Canal Commission of five members, serving without pay, who are ap- T pointed two by the City and two by County Commissioners and the Chairman by the City and County Commissioners in joint session. These Port Commissionersserve for a period of two years, the terms expiring alternate years. Under this Board the affairs are handled by the Director of the Port. The Navigation District includes all of Harris County. The Board controls the commercial activities of the Port and the construction and maintenance of the terminal facilities, and through co-operation with the Federal Governmentthe construction and improvement of the waterway. The wharves and railroad facilities constructed and operated by the City of Houston in 1915 and 1918 were transferred under a lease agreementto the Port Commissionon October 1st, 1922, for a period of thirty years, the City to be paid the net revenue after opera- tion and maintenance charges were deducted from the gross receipts. All further construction will be under the direction of the Navigation District. May, 1936 12 Hottslozz PORT BOOK Directory of Maritime Interests and Foreign Consulates
FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THOSE ~’ISHING TO COMMUNICATE BY TELEPHONE "WITH VARIOUS HARBOR INTERESTS THE FOI,LOWING DIRECTORY IS FURNISHED:
SEAMEN’S CHURCHINSTITUTE, 1. L. Taylor, Manage," United States Services 75I/,7 and Beaumont S/reels ...... Wa)sidc 0.~91 ENGINEERING DEI)AP, TMENT UNITED STATES SALVAGE ASSOCIATION l:,ngincur O~cials in Char.go of l/~e Co,~tr,c/i,,, o.f tlw Houston CHARI kS ~IAIA.YN, Sill’! cqor Ship Chann,’h l)etrolcztm Buil,lin’: Capitol 6912 Luu’I.-Col . EDWINH. ~’IARKS, (7orris of Engineers, District Engim,ur, Gahcslon Tel. 8200 JOIIN EIIRttARDT, O. S. Asst. l!ngineer, Foreign Consulates Wa)side 15 S 3 i, ,har qc of fichl oJfice Houston ARGENTINA:W. ,l, Et ans, Vic~ Constd LIGHTI I()USE SERVICE Chamberof Co,tm~’rce Buihtin,v Preston 51 I 1 E. S. EANPHIFR,Supcrinh’n,h’nt, l:#ghl/~ District, U. S. I,ightloouw Scrzice, New Orleans, La. BELGIUM:R. C. Patter,,m. Hon. Co,sul 11 ¢19 Scco,d National Bank Buihti, v Preslon 1434 COI.LECTOR OF CUSTOMS . Fl
Modern Pulp Mill Now Under Construction on Ship Channel
The first mill oj its kind to be established in Texas is being con- structed by The Champion Paper and Fibre Company oj Hamilton, Ohio
HE CHAMPION PAPER AND FIBRE COMPANY, one of the fore- T most organizations in the pulp and paper industry, with a record of nearly a half century of successful operation, has selected the Houston Ship Channel as the location of its latest de- velopment. It now has under construction near Pasadena, at the old Cullinan place, known as the Santa Anna farm, what will be the first modern mill for the manufacture of paper pulp ever to be erected in Texas. This company was organized in 1893 by the late Peter G. Thomson of Cincinnati, and until recently was known as The Champion Coated Paper Company. It is the outgrowth of an orig- inal establishment, limited to the coating of papers, which Mr. Thomson founded during the eighties as a consequence of his Alexander Thomson, Chairman of the Board interest, developed as a publisher, in improving the quality of American machine-made papers. It now consists of two great en- capacity of 500 tons. There are twenty-seven machines for the terprises; one located at Hamilton, Ohio, and the other at Canton, coating of paper, having a daily total capacity of 250 tons. North Carolina, with equipment for every process involved in the The Canton, North Carolina, plant was established in 1907 manufacture of the highest grades of paper, from the forest to the under the corporate style of The Champion Fibre Company. Al- finished product. Its total assets are approximately $30,000,000. though originally designed primarily to produce pulp for the paper Sales offices are maintained at New York, Chicago, Cleveland, machines at Hamilton, it has steadily expanded and is now a thor- Philadelphia, St. Louis, Boston and Cincinnati. The principal of- oughly integrated paper making enterprise. In addition to equip- ricers are Alexander Thomson, Chairman of the Board, Logan ment for reducing wood to pulp by all of the four standard pro- Thomson, President, and Reuben B. Robertson, Executive Vice- cesses, it has three large Fourdrinier machines for the manttfacture President. of paper, two cylinder machines for the manufacture of paper- The Hamilton, Ohio, plant has always specialized in enameled board, the largest single unit in the world for the extracting of and coated book papers for magazine and catalogue purposes, in tannic acid from chestnut, and processes for the manufacture of which field it ranks among the foremost, both in quality and soda bleach and caustic soda, the recovery of lime, the production quantity of product. It also manufactures a wide variety of un- of adhesive extract from sulphite liquors, and the manufacture of coated papers, including magazine, book, bond, blank, register and sodium resinate and turpentine. paperboard. The paper making equipment consists of ten Fourdrin- The combined daily productive capacity of the plants of The ier machines and one cylinder machine, with a combined daily Champion Paper and Fibre Company is 250 tons of coated paper, 425 tons of uncoated paper, 370 tons of pulp, 120 tons of board, 110 tons of 25 per cent liquid tanning extract, 20 tons of Caustic soda, 35 tons of adhesive extract, 10 tons of sodium resinate and 350 gallons of refined turpentine. The organization is formed along modern lines, specialists of broad experience and technical training being in charge of various departments. Its efforts are not restricted to the current produc- tion of high grade products; it is constantly striving through two well equipped research laboratories to improve and develop new processes. It is also dedicated to a program of conservation of nat- ural resources. For many years its extensive reserves of timber in Western North Carolina have been under the suprvision of a trained forester. The Champion management also emphasizes the human ele- ment in industy. At both of its plants it has provided a safety and welfare department, an emergency hospital in charge of a trained nurse, and a school for vocational training; and at Canton it main- tains a workmen’s village and a completely equipped community center operated under the auspices of the Young Men’s Christian Association. The employees refer to themselves as members of the "Champion Family," a designation which is happily reflected by the spirit of the organization. The new plant on the Ship Channel will place in practical commercial operation an improvement and refinement of the well [ ¯ - Logan G. Thomson, President (lett) and Reuben B. Robertson, known sulphate process of converting pine into pulp. Originally Executive Vice-President. (Continued on page 45) 14 Houston PORT BOOK May, 1936
Gov. and Mrs. Allred leaving the "Saranac." San Jacinto Day at Battlefield.
A Bit of Texas History
By HON. MAURICE HIRSCH
Address delivered before Convention oj American Association oj Port Authorities, assembled at San Jacinto Inn, on the historic San Jacinto Battleground. November 12, 1935
HIS BANQUETis being held upon an historic day and at an Texas was originally a domain belonging by right of explora- T historic spot in the annals of Texas. One hundred years ago tion to France. Louis XIV of France in 1684 granted to La Salle this very day, the 12th of November, 1835, a Code of Laws, the right to establish a colony between the Mississippi and the Rio passed by an Assembly or "Consultation" of delegates from various Grande in the area which had been roughly delineated upon a jurisdictions and municipalities of Texas, then a part of the com- crude map made over a century and a half before by a Spanish bined Mexican state of Coahuila and Texas, was formally enacted Monkin Mexico. La Salle erected his first fort on the shores of into law as the basis of government of Texas as a proposed separate Matagorda Bay and built an additional fort and a small settlement state of the then Mexican Republic. On this very day one hundred in the area, but within three years La Salle was murdered and his years ago Sam Houston was chosen Commander-in-Chief of the companions slain or disbursed. Texas army--Sam Houston, who upon this very spot one hundred Spain heard of the ambition of the French and quickly sent an years ago this coming April led his troops in the decisive battle of expedition under Captain De Leon to check La Salle, but when De San Jacinto. Leon reached the area of La Salle’s activity he found La Salle’s forts Within a stone’s throw of this building is a branch of the and settlement destroyed and no living trace remaining of those San Jacinto River, now a part of the Houston Ship Channel. You who had ventured forth from France. De Leon looked upon this have perhaps noticed the colossal photographs which adorn the walls domain as one of promise and he gave to it the name of Texas, of this room. These pictures were part of the Texas exhibit at the from a word in the tongue of the Indians then native here, the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago, and present in vivid word ~’tejas," meaning ’~friends." De Leon established a fort on fashion several of the outstanding industries, including oil, cotton, the banks of the Neches River but before many years the fort was lumber, cattle and shipping, which have, during the past years, so abandoned. Soon thereafter Franciscan priests from Mexico, then materially aided in the economic advancement of Texas. When still a part of the Spanish dominions, began the establishment of you know that these tremendous pictures, some of them twenty missions in Texas, outstanding in importance of which was the to thirty feet in length, have been developed and enlarged through Mission of Alamo, built first in the year 1703 on the banks of the the efforts of J. Russell Wait, your President, from tiny kodak Rio Grande and later moved to its present location in what is now films of two or three inches in greatest dimension, you can readily the city of San Antonio. Small settlements were established around understand how, similarly, Russell Wait and those associated with some of the missions and included a few pioneers from the then him have taken a narrow, winding, shallow and sluggish bayou and United States, but in the aggregate very few persons of European developed and enlarged it into one of the greatest ship channels and blood had come to Texas up to the beginning of the nineteenth ports of the entire nation. century. During the year 1936 you will hear much of Texas. You will The Louisiana purchase in 1803 was a turning point in Texas hear of a great celebration centered in Texas, but national in its history. By that purchase the western boundary of the then United significance. The various cities and historic towns in this State States became, for a substantial part of its !e.ngth, the eastern boun- have joined with the State and the national governments in spon- dary of Texas. Citizens of the United St~s looked westwardly to soring the Texas Centennial, so designated because the year marks Texas--to its streams and fertile fields and virgin forests--as a the one hundredth anniversary of the events which won for Texas place of opportunity for the establishment of new homes. Mexico, its independence. then still including the domain of Texas, won its independence from History records no events more stirring than those which oc- Spain in 1821, and the Mexican government encouraged coloniza- curred in this far-flung part of the then known world in the year tion into Texas from the United States. The great impresarios 1836 and the years immediately preceding it. Moses Austin and his son, Stephen F. Austin, and others, settled May, 1936 Houston PORT BOOK 15 many families in Texas. When, after 1821, these colonists entered Texas they came under the Mexican flag, a flag which then was emblematic of freedom. Mexico, in 1824, adopted a constitution substantially along the lines of the Constitution of the United States. In 1830, however, Mexico reversed its policy both with reference to immigration from the United States and with reference to constitutional liberty. Unjust, excessive and unequitable taxes were applied against the colonists. Many who had established their homes were dispossessed without provocation or cause. The as- surance, given under the Constitution of 1824, that Texas could become a state separate from Coahuila was disregarded, and when Stephen F. Austin was sent as an emissary to Mexico City to plead for the separation he was imprisoned and for many months suffered the tortures of cruel prison routine. A decree was promulgated by the Mexican government against the carrying or possession of arms by Texans. Americans were not permitted to trade in Texas. A further decree required the deportation of those who came into Texas from the United States after the year 1830. Men who had San Jacinto Day, April 21, 1936, celebrating 100 years established homes for their families were deprived of the right to o[ independence. bring into Texas their wives and children. Santa Anna, who had first posed as a friend of Texas and of the Mexican Constitution, purpose of the Texas pioneers and of the volunteers from the became the arch enemy of Texas and the absolute dictator of Mexi- United States who came to aid them, was to protect liberty under co. Mexican troops were stationed in Texas to enforce the drastic constitutional law, and only after months of armed conflict did the and provocative edicts of the Mexican ruler. Clashes naturally re- Texans determine upon the establishment of an independent nation. sulted between the colonists and the Mexican troops. A crisis was When the Alamo fell on March 6th, 1836, the news of the Declara- reached when in September, 1835, Santa Anna sent General Cos into tion of Independence had not yet reached the ears of its defenders Texas to disarm the people; to drive out all Americans who had and till the death of the last of them the Mexican flag of Coahuila come to Texas since 1830, and "to punish those who have insulted and Texas, with the two stars emblazoned upon it, was still flying the Supreme Government of Mexico and refused obedience to its from its ramparts. laws." By Supreme Government of Mexico was meant the edict of When Sam Houston was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the dictator. the Texas Army there came to the forefront of Texas history one The first attempt to disarm the Texans was at Gonzales, where of the outstanding characters of all time. Sam Houston was born the Texans had a small brass cannon which had been used to pro- in Virginia. While still a lad, after the death of his father, he tect the town from the Indians. The demand for surrender of the moved with his mother and the other members of his family to cannon was met by armed defense in which no Texans were injureJ Tennessee, where he attended school and worked on a farm; he but in which four Mexicans were killed and several wounded. Then became a teacher, a lawyer, was elected to Congress, and then was came the capture of the Mexican garrison at Goliad by the Texans elected Governor of Tennessee. He was married in January, 1829, to and the defeat of the Mexican force in the battle of Concepcion. a young womanof prominent family and of great beauty and per- On November 3, 1835, the Assembly or Consultation was called, sonality, and then occurred one of the unexplained mysteries of which lesulted in the enactment one hundred years ago today of history. After little more than a month of married life, he, with- the first Code of Laws of the Government of Texas, and the out explanation, separated from his wife, resigned the governorship designation of Sam Houston as Commander-in-Chief of the army of Tennessee and moved away to live with the Cherokee Indians. of Texas. He became a member of thir councils and the adopted son of the It must be remembered that as yet there was no Declaration Chief. Amongthe Indians he was called "The Raven," which has of Independence by Texas. The Texans were not at that time been taken as the title to a biography of Sam Houston, written engaged in a war for independence from Mexico. They were battling by Marquis James--an intensely interesting work, splendidly writ- for the re-establishment of law and order and liberty under the ten, and one that thoroughly merits your reading. In 1832 Hous- Mexican Constitution of 1824. It is a mistaken thought, all too ton determined to move to Texas and here he at once assumed a widely held both in the United States and in Mexico, that the position of leadership which resulted in his selection as the Com- struggle in Texas was a war of acquisition fomented by the then mander-in-Chief of the armed forces of Texas. United States or that it was a revolution primarily designed to After the appointment of Houston as Commander-in-Chief segregate Texas from the dominion of Mexico. Until the Texas in November, 1835, there were still unfortunate dissensions among Declaration of Independence was signed on March 2nd, 1836, the the Texans, but before the end of that year the Texans had achieved one victory in the storming of San Antonio. In the early part of 1836, Santa Anna, who proudly called himself the "Na- poleon of the West," vowed revenge over the defeat at San An- tonio, and published his plans for conquering Texas, which in- cluded driving from Texas all who had taken part in opposing his dictatorship; dividing up the lands amongthe Mexican officers and soldiers; forbidding of anyone from the United States to settle in Texas, and treating anyone who brought arms into Texas as a pirate. Santa Anna gathered together an army of over eight thousand well-armed and well-disciplined troops. Towards the end of February, 1836, he directed the greater part of his army against the Alamo, in which the small body of defenders of San Antonio took refuge. Travis, the Commander at the Alamo, on the first day of the siege, dispatched a letter which was safely car- ried through the Mexican lines which called for help, but which embodied the bold declaration, "I’shall never surrender or retreat." U. S. Revenue Cutter "Saranac" with Gov. Allred and Centen- That was on the 24th day of February, 1836. The Mexican forces nial party at Battleground, April 21, 1936. increased from day to day until over six thousand troops were 16 Houston PORT Book May, 1936 before the Alamo. At first only one hundred fifty defenders were Texas. He divided his army into five commands, the more quickly within the Mission walls, among them such men as the immortal to cover and subjugate Texas. Sam Houston, with a force that Bowie and Bonham and Crockett. To these were added thirty-two had dwindled to less than one thousand men, had been retreating who, on March 1st, fought their way into the Alamo. On March before the advance of Santa Anna. On hearing of the division of Santa Anna’s troops General Houston determined to make a stand 6th began the final conflict, a defense by one hundred eighty-two men, exhausted from eleven days of constant struggle, many of against the dictator and quickly proceeded to San Jacinto, which whom were ill or wounded, against over six thousand of the he had learned was on the line of Santa Anna’s march. On the picked troops of Santa Anna. The end of the day found Alamo night of the 20th of April, Houston’s band of less than eight hun- dred men were camped here at San Jacinto, and facing them were captured, without a survivor from among the Texas defenders; but their lives were dearly bought, for over sixteen hundred of the over sixteen hundred of the picked troops of Mexico under the leadership of Santa Anna. Sam Houston sent his chief scout, Mexican troops were slain. "Deaf" Smith, to burn the bridge over Vince’s Bayou, which was It has often been said, "Thermopylae had her messenger of the only path of escape for either the Texans or the Mexicans. On defeat, the Alamo had none." There could have been no messenger the afternoon of April 21st, Houston gave the order to advance. of defeat for Alamo, for there was no defeat at Alamo! There Then was fought one of the decisive battles of the world. The cry was a massacre of noble and valiant men, but there was no destruc- ’~Remember the Alamo -- Remember Goliad" -- gave strength to tion of nobility or valor. There was death to patriots and idealists, the Texans and implanted fear into the hearts of the Mexicans. but there was life to patriotism and ideals. Never was greater In less than twenty minutes the Mexican army was defeated. The bravery and sacrifice shown than at Alamo. Never in history has Texans lost two men killed and twenty-three wounded, of whom a message gone forth with more soul-stirring vigor than went forth six later died of their wounds. The Mexicans lost over six hundred from Alamo. The glorious dead called to the valiant living. The killed, over two hundred wounded, and over seven hundred pris- courage that to the very end clung to the martyrs within the Mis- oners-aggregating almost their entire forces in the combat! sion walls seemed to fly forth from the gaping wounds in their In the number of men engaged and in the time elapsed during breasts and to search out and enter and strengthen the hearts of the struggle, the Battle of San Jacinto would appear almost incon- those who, footsore and hungry, trudged on in the little army of sequential, but the result of that battle changed the history of Texas. "Remember the Alamo" became the battle cry of Texas. America and has largely made for the greatness of the United States. Alamo was no defeat! Alamo was a victory of victories! As an immediate outcome of San Jacinto, Texas became an A few short days after the fall of Alamo, the hero, Fannin, independent republic and then later, by its own choice, became a with three hundred men found himself surrounded at Colito by State of the United States. During the period of the Republic over nineteen hundred of the Mexican army. Fannin’s force fought and for a time after Texas became annexed to the United States, throughout the day, and through the day and the night there was conflicts still continued with Mexico, for Mexico did not, during not a drop of water even for the wounded among them. On the the Republic, recognize Texas as severed from Mexico, and after following morning the Mexicans were reinforced by four hundred the annexation of Texas by the United States, Mexico still contended fresh troops and two cannon. Fannin knew that further resistence for sovereignty of a considerable area in Texas north of the Rio was useless. Under the flag of truce he went forth to discuss terms Grande. From this resulted the Mexican War when armies of the of surrender, but he left his men with the statement that if he United States entered Mexico and captured Mexico City. Then could not get an honorable surrender he would return and he and came the treaty with Mexico which gave to the United States the his men would all die together. Terms of surrender were agreed area comprised in the States of California, New Mexico, Nevada, upon by which the Texans were to be treated as prisoners of war Utah, a part of Colorado and most of Arizona, which together according to the usages of civilized nations. The Texans were with Texas constitutes almost a third of the entire domain of the taken under guard to the neighboring town of Goliad where they United States. were imprisoned. On the morning of March 27th, the little band As San Jacinto and Texas gave much to the United States, let of Texas troops were divided into three divisions and under heavy us also record our recognition of the fact that the United States guard marched in different directions. About a half mile from gave much to Texas and to San Jacinto. Most of those who died Goliad the march was halted, the Commanders of the Mexican at Alamo were volunteers from States of the then American Union. troops gave orders to fire upon the Texans. Only a few escaped Most of those who died at Goliad were volunteers from Alabama, to and across the river. The rest were shot down--their bodies then Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana and Tennessee. Many of those who pierced with sabers and ridden over by the horses of the Mexican fought with Houston at San Jacinto were, like Houston himself, cavalry. Even the wounded at Goliad were dragged from their volunteers from the United States in the service of Texas. beds and murdered. Then it was that "Remember Goliad" became And as Texas started with the inspiration and courage and linked with "Remember the Alamo" as the battle cry of Texas. effort given to it by those who came from afar, so has Texas After the gruesome successes at Alamo and Goliad, Santa Anna through the century developed so gloriously because of a continued felt assured that he would encounter little further resistence in valor in peacetime as in war; because of a continued augmentation of its spiritual and economic forces by those who from choice have come to join Texas’ native sons; because of a thoughtful develop- ment of those natural sources of wealth which Providence has given to Texas; because of an emphasis upon the establishment and protection of homes, of liberty and of constitutional law for which the early pioneers so vigorously worked and so valiantly fought. Texas and the entire United States have a right to be proud over the Texas Centennial. They have a right to celebrate a hun- dred years of incomparable progress so stirringly begun in 1836. With the same sources of inspiration and with the same determina- tion and effort, Texas and the world may well expect here a con- tinuation of resplendent accomplishment. The Texas Centennial Celebration is not merely the blowing of taps over the glories of a century that is gone. It is also the reveille to a new century which we can look forward to with assurance in the knowledge that the ideals and the lessons of 1836 will not be forgotten. We have much to be thankful for for San Jacinto, to which II must now be added our gratitude for your gracious presence with Lieut. Gov. I~oodul leaving the "Saranac." us tonight. May, 1936 Houston PORT BOOK 17
The Texas Centennial Celebration
By JEFF BARNETTE ChairmanPublicity Committee Sat~ Jaciato Centennial Association
NE HtONDKH~years of freedom and progrcss are being ob- O served in the Centennial year celebrations being held through- out the state of Texas this year. More than 175 separate celebrations have been planned; celebrations which reflect not only the glamorous history of the state but also the varied opportunity found here. Although Centennial year celebrates four centuries of colorful history, emphasis is being placed on commemoration of the stirring days of 1836 when the Texans won their independence from Mexico and set in motion the chain of events which, culminating in the Mexican war, resulted in the extension of the borders of the United States to the Pacific Ocean. When the Republic of Texas relinquished its separate identity as a nation in 1845 to be- come a state in the Union it claimed title to lands now embraced by five other southwestern states. The war between the United States and Mexico, resulting from the revolution in Texas ended with Mexico ceding to the United States territory now comprising the states of California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. The momentous years of 1845 and 1836 in Texas gave birth to the stirring historical events which are known to every school child in the United States. Firing of the first shot of the war at Memorial Monumentto Texas Heroes at San Jacinto Battlefield. Gonzales, "The Lexington of Texas," set in motion the chain of To be 564 /eet high. Base a museum /or Texas war relics. events which included the massacre at the Alamo, the Goliad massacre, and the Texan victory at San Jacinto. with any previous World’s exposition or fair in grandeur and Many millions of dollars are being invested in the year long beauty. Centennial observance, the magnificent Centennial Central expo- sition which opens at Dallas on June 6 alone representing an invest- Centennial year officially was opened last November at Gon- ment of approximately $25,000,000. The exposition will compare zales in a celebration which commemoratedthe firing of the firsl shot in the war for independence 100 years ago. Since that time a number of celebrations, including the commemoration of the siege of San Antonio early in December; the colorful Sun Carni- val at E1 Paso on January 1; impressive Indian ceremonies at Living- ston on NewYear’s day; dedication of a pioneer’s cabin at Dallas on January 9, and the impressive Texas Independence day observ- ances on March 2, have been given. Others will be presented at various times throughout the year, the Centennial celebration ex- tending through December. All of Texas, its mineral, agricultural, and industrial resources and its recreational opportunities, are on parade during Centennial year in the 175 celebrations. The events planned will attract home folk and visitors alike to every corner of the Lone Star state. Elaborate celebrations have been held or are planned in San Antonio, Houston, and Fort Worth. San Antonio, historic Alamo city with its shrine to Texas liberty, is one of the great vacation centers of the nation. Houston, city of historical importance which was named for General Sam Houston, hero of San Jacinto, will emphasize its position as the foremost cotton and oil shipping port and as a metropolitan business center. Fort Worth, "Where the West Begins," will call attention to its position as center of the widespread cattle industry of the Southwest. Western life of story and song will be relived in coming months in West Texas where much of the tradition of cattle and Col. A. J. Houston, son o~ Gen. Sam Houston, right, greeting range days still is to be found. A number of cities in that section Hon. Jesse H. Jones, Chairman Reconstruction Finance Corp., plan rodeos and cowboy roundups which will thrill all spectators. at San Jacinto Battleground--Jess Gibson Photo. (Con/inued on page 33) Houston PoRT Book May, 1936 The Houston Chamber of Commerce AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT Many persons and firms located far from Houston desire E. G. EAGLESTON,Manager service and information with reference to their various interests for which the Houston Chamber of Commerce is always glad to Agricultural conditions in Harris County and adjoining coun- be called upon: ties-Specific information to individuals on farming problems-- The following is the executive committee: Boys’ and girls’ rural club work--Information from specialists President employed in the department of livestock and dairying, home dem- JAMES ANDERSON ...... L. S. ADAMS...... Vice-President onstration and field crop subjects--County agent work Informa- Vice-President H. O. CLARKE, JR ...... tion available through direct contact with the Extension Service Vice-President TOM C. SPENCER...... of the State Agricultural and Mechanical College. J. A. FITE ...... Treasurer R. D. ERNST...... Secretary of the Board Member at Large HIGHWAY J. M. LYKES...... HAYGOOD ASHBURN, Manager W. N. BLANTON...... Vice-President ~ General Manager The service rendered by the Chamber of Commerceis divided Provides comprehensive service for motorists and tourists and into several departments of which the following is an outline and assists in the planning of new or improved highway construction. they at all times welcome inquiries from those desiring their Assists in planning new highways that directly or indirectly benefit assistance: Houston. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT W. N. BLANTON,Vice President ~ General Manager SAFETY TRANSPORTATION NORMANH. BEARD, Manager C. E. HOLLOMAN,Manager Advocates and promotes the observance of approved safety Rate quotations--Readjustments of rate situations--Publica- measures both with reference to the individual and to group tion of rate changes--Preparation of statistical information in employes. The department regularly carries a message of safety defense of rate adjustments--Analysis of transportation problems-- through every publicity mediumand interests itself in the adoption Dissemination of information on the car situation and any other of legislation to enforce worthwhile safety methods. transportational subjects of interest to shippers. INDUSTRIAL PUBLICITY R. A. LAIRD, Manager BURT RULE, Manager Sites--Warehouses--Retail locations--Labor situation--Statis- National and local distribution of civic advertising including tical information on industrial subjects--Business conditions (city news publicity on Houston development--Pictures and cuts of and state)--Present and future industrial possibilities. Houston’s commercial and civic life for the use of visitors and FOREIGN TRADE AND PORT ACTIVITIES for loan to interested individuals--General information regarding T. L. EVANS,Manager the city--Direct contact with local newspapers which makes available assistance for those desiring that character of publicity Foreign Trade problems--informatlon on Houston, Trade pos- service--Advice and counsel in the preparation of publicity matter sibilities with special reference to Mexico, Central and South which has a bearing on Houston publicity--File of newspaper clip- America and the West Indies. Spanish translations: information on pings on stories of interest. Customs Regulations; Tariffs, etc.--Domestic trade; Local con- ditions of trade with special reference to wholesalers and jobbers-- Classified list of Houston concerns--Present and future possibilities CONVENTION AND TOURIST BUREAU of specific trade propositions. Port activities and improvements. HAYGOODASHBURN, Director PUBLIC RELATIONS Promotes the holding of conventions at Houston; arranges NORMANH. BEARD, Manager for conventions and other conferences and stimulates the holding Deals with a variety of Chamber of Commerce activities of sales conferences at Houston. which do not center in any division under the direction of a department head, including inter-organization activities. Partici- AVIATION DEPARTMENT pates in the welcoming and entertaining of distinguished visitors R. A. LAmD, Manager and arranges details for a variety of meetings and conferences held Stimulates the establishment of new airmail and passenger by local agencies. services at Houston; inaugurates statewide movements for the MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT betterment of commercial flying in Texas and fosters the im- H. E. DANNER,Manager provement of air ports in Houston and generally throughout Texas. Establishes friendly contacts between members, prospective members, new citizens and visitors through confidence in the HOUSTON MAGAZINE Chamber of Commerce. BURTRULE, Editor JEFF BARNETTE,Manager RESEARCH AND STATISTICS G. C. ROUSSEL,Manager A monthly business journal, combined with the Port Register. Maintains a file of approximately 1,500 items on subjects of informational value with reference to Houston, its trade terri- JUNIOR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE tory and Texas. This information is available to anyone anywhere. NORMANH. BEARD, Director JOBBERS AND MANUFACTURERS An organization of young business men of Houston but a T. W. ARCHER, Manager distinct division of the Chamber of Commerce operating under the latter’s supervision. Promotes the general civic welfare of Contact Houston trade territory and assist jobbers and manu- Houston through a great variety of activities. facturers to develop new business. May, 1936 Houston PORT BOOK 19 Flood Causes and Control in the Houston Area
By G. L. FUGATE Director o/ the Houston City Water Department
An Address Be]ore the Houston Engineers’ Club March 317 1936
IME will not permit the discussion of this subject in detail. in the direction of the greatest slope there is practically no change T Only a few of the "high spots" and major factors entering in the area in the movil~g mass of water, because the area of the into the problem can at this time be mentioned. ditch itself is a very small percentage of the total. Also, the earth Flood control, of which we now hear so much about in the removed from the improvement is placed somewhere along the same area under consideration, presents a problem to determine the drainage area resulting in no actual increase in the net amount of greatest flood possible and means of how to control it so that the cross sectional flow. result in damage will be a minimum when expressed in terms of life and property. To this end the data of much study and work Since storms are the main factor in producing floods, the more are now available for analytical purposes. known about them, the better are the tools to work on flood con- trol. Storms fall within three general classifications: the thunder The main cause of all great floods, is, of course, extreme heavy storm, the extra-tropical cyclone and the tropical cyclone. rainfall over the drainage areas of the streams in which they oc- cur. It is a commonbelief among lay minds as well as many tech- Thunder storms are caused by local atmospheric disturbances nical minds, that the construction of improvements such as high- covering small areas. Such disturbances may produce a very high ways and agricultural drainage over the drainage areas of streams rate of precipitation and is the type of storm that produces criti- augment in them great floods; so far in the studies of the local cal flows over small areas such as intensive improved sections in streams no analytical justification is found for such a belief. How- cities served by storm sewers. They very rarely extend sufficiently ever, under conditions causing ordinary high water such improve- to cause critical flows over large areas. ments may tend to give a greater run-off but do not seem to do The extra-tropical cyclone is the atmospheric disturbance so in floods of the super-type. It is believed that one reason for usually spoken of as the "low" and may cover several thousand this is the large amount of storage that great rainfalls distribute square miles. The term "low" means that the barometric pressure over the drainage areas. For instance, on the Buffalo Bayou drain- is below normal. Lowatmospheric pressures are usually accompanied age area west of Main Street during the recent flood there was by rain, and fair weather usually exists along the path of high 70 per cent of the rainfall retained above Houston at the time pressures. High and low atmospheric pressures are constantly chas- the flood crested here. This means that there was an average depth ing each other across the North American Continent. A great many of 11 inches of water to be removed after the crest. Such a condi- of them originate in the northwest in the Pacific and cross into tion really results in the entire drainage area becoming a very wide the United States by way of the Canadian Rockies. They follow stream of shallow depth flowing along the line of greatest natural a mean path eastward that leads out through or near the St. Law- slope in any particular part of the area. Therefore, if the highway rence Valley, but individual ones often swing far southward and or drainage ditch does not follow the direction of this slope the may enter Texas. Those affecting the State of Texas in the most flow will cross it obliquely; the improvements may thus retard part originate in the Gulf, their path extending northeastward, the flow rather than help it. Should the improvements be located intersecting in the Great Lakes region, the mean path of those originating in the far northwest. The great flood in the Miami Valley of Ohio in the year 1913 was caused by two lows entering the valley from different directions within a very short interval of time. The atmosphere of the "low" originating in the Gulf is heavily laden with moisture as it passes inland. The warm air thus heavily laden, meeting the cooler air over the land, often causes a rapid condensation of the vapor as occurred in the rain of last December. The tropical cyclone, usually spoken of locally as the West Indian Hurricane originates in the doldrums near the equator and moves northwesterly to about latitude 30 where it turns and moves in a northeasterly direction. The path of such disturbances subjects the entire Gulf Coast between Florida and the Rio Grande to a number of them each year. These disturbances are accom- panied by extremely low barometric pressures, winds of hurricane velocity, high tidal waves and often by extreme precipitation. The moisture picked up as the disturbance moves counter clock-wise over the Gulf is precipitated in the front right quadrant as the vapors condense in the cooler air over the land. Therefore, heavy rainfall on the right side of every hurricane may be expected. Two of the severest rainstorms ever recorded on the North American Continent have occurred in our own Lone Star State: one in the year 1899, where up along the Balcones Fault near Tur- nerville there is an unofficial report of 33 inches of precipitation Flood Scene at Houston during flood o] December 7-107 1935. within three days. The same storm at Brenham recorded !9 inches. May, 1936 2O Houston PORT Book
To prevent silt settling in the turning basin is a big problem in the scheme of channel improvement. The construction of the ship channel has changed the natural regimen of the stream until there is an excess fall of 10 feet between Main Street and the turn- ing basin. Such a slope gives velocities of destructive magnitudes as witnessed by the erosive action of the last flood. It is believed that the greater part of 860,000 cu. yards of silt deposited in the turning basin originated in the channel east of Main Street. Ways and means must be found to reduce this slope or dissipate the energy created by it. When the flood waters are lowered through the City by improvements there will be created somewhere west of the city another section of excessive slope and ways and means to care for it present another problem. In studying the hydraulics of the diversion scheme one of the most important problems is the hydraulic ~radient of the diversion channel where it crosses other streams. The elevations must be maintained at a point so that no additional overflow of the par- ticular stream will occur either above or below the crossine. There- fore, control structures must be provided, not only at the point where the diversion leaves the main channel, but at all stream crossings as well. The official plan ador~ted, whether it be channel improvements, . diversion or a combination of both should be decided only after a very careful balancing of all the factors and interests involved. Buffalo Bayou at Houston during flood of December 7-10, 1935. Only by comnarison and elimination can the best plan be found. The pressure that is now bein~ b~ou~ht to rush the plans, and the eaeerness to see dirt flvin~ should not tempt the engineers to sacri- This was an extra-tropical type of storm. The other occurred in the year 1915 when 20 inches of rain fell between Liberty and San fice ~ny of the necessary time to complete such balancing in every Augustine, following the right side of a tropical hurricane as it detail. moved inland from the Gulf; the path of this hurricane extended The auestion now may be asked: after the plans are adopted clear across the United States and out into the Atlantic Ocean what confidence can be placed in the predicted future flood heights? near the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. In answer it may be pointed out: Since 20 inches of rain have occurred on both sides of the The hi~;h water line for the Brays Bayou improvement was Houston area it seems reasonable to assume that one of like magni- fi,,ed between Main Street and Harrisbur~ for storm~ of less than tude will occur here, The question may now be asked: since the the super-type. The storm of April, 1929, produced high water value of the major factor causing floods can fairly definitely be at Main Street within about two inches of the established point expressed what will its effect be in producing floods? Fortunately and the flood durin~ May of that year exceeded it by less than for the area under consideration sufficient data have been obtained, a foot. we believe, to, with confidence, predict the effect. In securing those On August 17, 1929. in an official renort a member of the data many storms and resulting floods have been studied; the re- City En~ineerin~ Dep,~rtment stated: "A 20 inch r~;n ;s 1;kelv to sults are formulated into equations which apparently give reason- occur during a tropical hurricane and such a rain will bring about ably accurate predictions. a condition that would tend to cause hi~her water in the channel Therefore, from these eauations expected quantities of a super due to Gulf tides, than if occurrine durin~ local disturbances. It flood through Houston may be evaluated as follows: is tentatively believed that such a storm would ~ive a flood dis- Buffalo Bayou, west of Main Street, 50,000 second feet. The charee throueh the City of not less than 50.000 cubic feet pe~ condition of the present channel will satisfactorily pass less than second. Under the present condition of the channel should such a storm occur a rise of ten feet hieher than that of May31, 1929 30 per cent of such a flow. Brays Bayou, 23,000 second feet, and under the present condi- i~ not believed sufficient to discharge the flood waters through tion of the channel about 55 per cent of such a flow may be passed. Houston." White Oak Bayou, 16,000 second feet, and the present chan- The sixteen inches of rain in December without the effects nel, with the exception of the low lying area back of the S. P. of a tidal wave raised the water at Main Street eight feet above Station will pass about 65 per cent of such a flow. the 1929 level, and produced a discharge of approximately 43,000 The problem of satisfactorily solving flood control here, in my second feet. The predicted elevation of the high water west of Pres- opinion, must consider all three of these streams as a unit and ton Avenue for a super-flood was followed within a few inches. thereby provide for the excess flow. Therefore, it would seem that a great deal of confidence may be Three schemes are possible: placed in the accuracy of the data so far secured and the con- 1. Channel enlargement and improvement to make sufficient clusions formed therefrom. in size to carry the entire flow. About a week after the flood of 1929. before the Optimists’ 2. Diversion of the excess flow. Club, I made this statement: "Houston will experience a greater 3. A combination of the other two. volume of flood than the last one. It is not within human power The hydraulics of the problem and the proper safe-guarding or scientific knowledge to predict the date it will occur; it may of the various interests along the stream present difficulties in any be immediately or it may be years, but as long as the climatic con- of the suggested schemes. Streams flowing along alluvial or semi- ditions are unchanged it is sure to happen." alluvial formations are ever constantly attempting to attain an The accuracy of that prediction is attested to by the flood equilibrium between the cohesive forces of the soil and the erosive of last December. Because the maximumrainfall that climatic con- forces of the flowing stream. Such an equilibrium may be ap- ditions here suggested, has not yet been experienced, and by the law proached but is never actually reached. This condition is partly ad- of probability such a rainfall will happen, the prediction made justed by the stream lengthing itself and thereby reducing the before the Optimists’ Club in June, 1929, is just as good today slope so that the erosive action does not greatly exceed the co- before your Club. hesive forces of the soil, and this is the usual reason why such I say to you, with all confidence, that the Houston area has streams are very crooked in alignment. not yet experienced its maximumflood. May, 1936 HoIIs]oll PORT BOOK 21
Le/t: $3,000,000 Tower o/ Administration Building, University o/ Texas, at Austin. Center: Business Section o/ Austiu looking south/rotn State Capitol. Right: Monumentto the Heroes o/the Alamo, conspicuous monumenton Capitol grounds.
Houston’s Relationship to the Cities of the Great Southwest AUSTIN, TEXAS
The seventh oj a series oj articles showing Houston’s relationship to other cities oj the Great Southwest. Some other city will be covered in the next issue oj the Houston Port Book
N A COLD MORNINGin February, 1839, five horsemen boast. A visitor at night, coming in from any direction, views the O)mounted on hardy Texas mustangs were riding up the Colo- city as a jewel in a lovely natural setting, with myriads of elec- rado River valley. They were agents of the Congress of the tric lights, in all colors, twinkling as the facets of an immense Republic of Texas and were on a mission for their country at the diamond, with the immense State Capitol building in the center. request of Pres. Mirabeau B. Lamar. All the way from Houston they had ridden, first along the valley of the Brazos, then through Austin, with a population of 53,120 (1930 census) is obvi- Bastrop County, always on the lookout for signs of Indians in the ously proud of her cultural atmosphere, engendered by the great University of .Texas, and the many other private and public schools wild frontier country, and looking for the site of the future capi- located there. tal of Texas to be known as Austin. From a small school with a few professors and a handful of When they saw the many acres of tillable land in the Colo- rado River Valley, the rushing waters of that stream itself, and students in 1883, it has grown to a University that has seen 60,- the hills beyond, with the change of agricultural development, the 000 students pass through its historic corridors and classrooms, and has graduated 20,000 and sent them out to be leaders among potential water power in the stream, and in the limestone substance of the hills a wealth of building stone, they agreed that this should their fellowmen. The present enrollment of nearly 8000 during the long session and over 4000 for the summer session has broken be the site of the capital of Texas. all records. The history of Austin has been linked inseparably with the This University now ranks among the leading ones of the history of Texas. For a hundred years it has been the pulse, the Nation. Four million dollars from the proceeds of oil royalties on heartbeat of a great people living in a great State. It has registered University lands, incurring no expense to the taxpayers, have been the different stages in the economic, moral, religious and social spent the past several years in enlarging the campus from its orig- development of the State. And certainly, as the center of govern- inal "40 acres" to several hundred, beautifully landscaped. ment since 1839, it has been the focal point of attention for all Texans, where they have sent their lawmakers and executives to A dozen new buildings--Waggoner Hall (for Business Ad- exercise control over their vast dominion. ministration), B. Hall (Men’s Dormitory), Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Engineering, Home Economics, Men’s and Women’s Gym- ~The City of the Violet Crown" is a descriptive phrase often nasia, Architecture, Hogg Memorial Auditorium and the Student applied to Austin. Nestled in the valley thru which the placid Union have been built and occupied. These buildings are equipped Colorado flows, the city has an approach of which few cities can with the finest facilities and technical apparatus that it is possible May, 1936 22 Houston PORT BOOK
O’Henry Museumat Austin, and Littlefield Dormitory for Freshmen Girls at the University o/ Texas.
to buy. The Student Union Building, a dream of T. W. Gregory, Making a proper economic balance, there are 80 industries in is, as he intended, a beautiful "living-room for the University and around Austin, producing annually $7,000,000 worth of prod- family." It was built by subscriptions of ex-students everywhere, ucts. Texas Quarries, Inc., are the largest quarriers and finishers of at no cost to the taxpayers. stone in the southwest, specializing in a Cordova Cream stone found elsewhere only in Italy; Walker’s Austex Chili Companyhas a na- There are art treasures--the Wrenn and Garcia Libraries, the tional distribution of canned chili and tamales and other products; Stark Collection, and the Archives, for instances, that are price- less--that are studied by research workers from over the U. S. and a brick and tile plant, and a concern manufacturing bedroom furni- ture are among the largest of their kind in the South. Austin is abroad; the Main Library and these collections contain 1,500,000 the distributing center for a trade territory comprising 15 sur- books and manuscripts. rounding counties with a combined population of a half million. In the Davis Mountains, the ~’Eye of Texas," the McDonald Observatory, is being constructed, bringing to the south the first 352,000 of the 654,000 acres in the county are in cultivation, large observatory for advanced astronomical study. producing two million bushels of corn, 35,000 bales of cotton (cut to 25,000) and a variety of feeds and vegetables and fruits. Pecans, Work will be completed shortly on a new two million-dollar spinach, poultry and eggs are shipped in large quantities. Main Building, a distinguished and breath-taking monument to Texas’ educational achievements. "Austin is not a Fountain of Youth, but a Place to Enjoy The quarter-million dollar Littlefield Memorial Entrance to Living." This phrase describes Austin’s climate. Altitude ranges the University is a fitting threshold for such an institution. from 509 to 700 feet. Austin has won special honors in a health The Public School system teaches 12,000 pupils annually, with competition among U. S. Cities. The average annual temperature leading credit affiliation in the State. A new University Junior is 67.6 deg. F. High, the only one of its kind in the South, is a training school for For those who seek the unusual, Austin has many points of teachers as well as an up-to-date unit in the School System. There interest that have real historical and romantical significance. The are a score of music and art schools, St. Edward’s University State Capitol Building i~ one, of course, with its Library, Supreme (Catholic-men), two seminaries, and the eleemosynary institutions, Court, Archives, and many governmental offices, to say nothing for the Deaf, the Blind, the Feeble Minded, and Colleges for Col- of the building itself. ored. A few others are: Occupying a position of refinement induced by the promi- Governor’s Mansion, example of the true lines of a Southern nence of her educational facilities, Austin naturally is a city of colonial home, where Texas’ chief executives reside. beautiful and permanent homes. Texas’ high officials, and the large Elisabet Ney Studio, a shrine of art lovers throughout the number of State employees, establish their residence there, and country. Miss Ney’s works are to be found in practically every frequently remain after their tenure of office. Capitol in Europe, as well as our National Capitol and Museum. Under unusually successful operation of a city-manager plan of government since 1926, Austin has taken great strides in civic French Embassy--built by France in 1841 to house her Am- advancement. The end of each fiscal year finds cash balances in all bassador to the Republic of Texas. departments. Her net bonded debt is $6,152,500, while city-owned Home of O. Henry, world-famous short story writer. property is valued at $16,544,404.27, thereby giving her an ex- Daughters of the Confederacy Museum, containing invaluable cellent financial rating for solvency. relics of Confederate and Republic days, when Texas history was Practically all the principal streets in the city are paved, in the making. Also Daughters of the Republic of Texas Museum. heavy traffic is carried on boulevards, a system of supervised parks Has desk and drawing of O. Henry, in original position where he and playgrounds provide places for children, and adults, to have worked. happy, healthful fun; a municipal abattoir, water and light plant, State Cemetery, where Texas’ heroes lie buried. airport, library, hospital and bathing resort are all operated prof- Laguna Gloria, site selected by Stephen F. Austin for his itably. home, overlooking the Colorado. The latter, Barton Springs and Zilker Park, a newly-created and developed area of 350 acres, is provided with tables and barbe- The Colorado River, like an encircling arm, travels through cue pits under shade of huge trees, and along the bank of the Colo- the mountains and hills west of Austin and becomes the Southern rado, a rock garden, Skeet Field, riding stables, reptile Institute, threshold of the city. Lake Austin Dam creates a 20-mile lake an arboretum with hundreds of varieties of Texas trees and shrubs, unexcelled for fishing and boating. Scenic adventures are on every wild flowers, Boy and Girl Scout huts, a Sunshine Camp for under hand during a trip past the "Palisades of the Colorado." Mr. Bon- privileged children, and of course the swimmingpool, supplied with nell, highest peak, stands like a sentinel on guard over the mighty cold, crystal-clear water from springs flowing 17,000,000 gallons river, and is surrounded by Indian traditions and hiking thrills. daily, in the midst of a large shaded park with grassy terraces and Several scenic loops and mountain highways through the Western flower beds. part of the County bring Colorado to Texas.