November, 1940 Houston PORT BOOK 21 following, which gives evidence of the rapid growth of wholesale not depend on the prosperity or depression of any single industry. trade at Houston. That their efforts to secure integration in Houston’s economic setup have borne fruit is evidenced by the following table which 1930 1935 records successive gains in all types of businesses during the last (Census) (Census) 1939t seven years. Number of of Establishments 326 576 850 New Businesses in Houston Number of Employees 5,416" 7,259 12,750 Salaries and Wages $ 9,823,347 $ 11,823,000 $ 21,955,550 1933 Net Sales $364,899,648 $331,180,000 $421,029,000 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 Total t Note: 1939 estimated. * Proprietors excluded. Manufacturing 34 42 34 58 37 61 43 309 Merchandising 214 165 179 141 182 237 251 1,369 Financial 32 19 33 21 15 23 29 172 Manufacturing at Houston Real Estate 23 21 22 31 37 41 32 207 Petroleum 174 136 182 116 98 97 69 872 Houston’s substantial progress is reflected also in the steady Miscl. (includes pro- gains made in manufactures. Primarily a community that de- fessionals) 244 209 136 145 177 193 232 1,336 pended on agricultural pursuits in its early history, Houston has TOTALS 721 592 586 512 546 652 656 4,265 become the outstanding manufacturing center in the Southwest. Source: Magazine Houston. Excellent distribution facilities, abundant natural resources and an energetic, forward looking citizenry presage the continued Statistical Growth of Houston Since 1925 phenomenal industrial development at Houston. The accompanying table presents the progress in manufacturing at Houston. The following table gives a complete statistical picture of Houston as a whole and shows its gains in five-year periods from 1900 1910 1920 1930 1937 1940" 1925 to date: No. of Estab- lishments 145 249 383 429 457 611 1925 1930 1935 1939 Wage Earners 3,188 5,338 9,860 16,264 17,086 29,101 Wages $1,656,000 $ 3,260,000 $10,402,000 $ 20,301,484 $ 20,274,350 $ 25,095,430 Real Estate Transfers $ 43,580,184 Volume of $ 44,139,444 $ 27,818,521 $ 32,034,867 Building Permits $ 35,040,550 $ 17,616,202 $ 6,961,396 $ 26,737,228 Products 7,491,971 23,015,556 86,874,000 145,049,659 146,145,451 214,676,000 Assessed Valuations $ 215,350,200 $ 334,013,180 $ 282,338,890 Bank Clearings $ 337,637,880 *Estimated. $1,730.223,471 $1,676.258,764 $1,420,404,459 $2,386,748,464 Retail Trade $ 163,441,665 $ 184,679,849" $ 123,715,000 $ 145,995,000 WhoLesale Trade $ 460,123,169 $ 519,913,186" $ 331,180,000 $ 421,029,000 Port of Houston Manufactured Products $ 104,776,719t $ 145,049,659" $ 183,287,6185 $ 146,145,451 PostaL Receipts $ 1,686,028 $ 2,301,560 $ 2,240,360 $ 2,990,715 During the last decade the activities of the Port of Houston Population 252,976 292,352 351,954 386,150 Carloadings 214,810 209,683 156,591 254,361 have expanded in a spectacular way until this gateway is now the Automobile Registrations* 56,362 96,134 112,773 143,973 Telephone Connections 48,011 69,157 71,836 105,004 second largest seaport in the entire United States in point of total Electric Connections 55,246 81,952 96,290 119,791 deepsea tonnage handled. The table attached on Port Houston for Water Connections 28,056 46,683 53,806 65,044 Gas Connections 30,457 71,587 75,604 79,000 the calendar years 1919 through 1939 clearly pictures the re- Legend: "1929 figures given. ~Harris County figures. $Includes Incorporated In- markable growth of Houston as a world recognized port. dustrial Area. "Firsts" Natural Resources The foregoing statistical evidence demonstrates the fact that Abundant natural resources at hand secure for Houston a Houston has earned it’s title as one of America’s fastest growing prominent place in the national economy. Oil, salt, sulphur, nat- cities. As a consequence of advancement on all economic fronts, ural gas, fertile soil are all essentials in the current national de- Houston has achieved leadership over all other Texas cities, and fense program. In the petroleum industry Houston leads all today proudly claims the following "firsts." America. It is the headquarters for six companies operating inter- nationally; while 1,205 oil companies have offices here. In the Houston ranked first in Texas during 1939 in: Houston area are 14 refineries with daily storage capacity of over Population--386,150. 11,000,000 gallons. Houston oil company assets exceed $1,000,- Dwelling Units--105,000. 000,000, having annual payrolls of over $50,000,000. Houston Building Permits--S26,737,228. leads the world in the manufacture and distribution of oil indus- try equipment, having over 300 manufacturers and distributors. Bank Deposits--$ 309,238,228.19. New Car Registrations--19,145. Several commercial salt mines are located near Houston, Automobile Registrations--143,973. among them being Jefferson Island Salt Company which produces from a mine located approximately 50 miles from the city. Value of Manufactured Products--$146,145,451 :: The States of Texas and Louisiana produce 99%of the nation’s Electric Meters--119,791. supply of sulphur; while within the Houston area alone approxi- Electrical Appliances-- (Refrigerators--11,255 ; Washing Ma- mately 86% of the nation’s sulphur is mined. chines-5,213 ). Houston has an unlimited supply of natural gas at low cost Gas Meters--110,788. for domestic and industrial use brought to the city through five Telephone Connections--105 ,001. major trunk lines from widely separated gas fields. Corporate Area--73 square miles in taxable corporate limits; and an additional 38 square miles is incorporated in the industrial Building Growth area along the Ship Channel to which the City renders city police and fire protection. Total area 111 sq. mi. Houston ranks first in the State of Texas in value of building School enrollment--72,680. permits for the year 1939, and also holds the position of eighth tlncome Tax Returns--1934 reports--19,484. in the nation in dollar volum~ of building. The attached table Newspaper Circulation--258,132 (largest combined daily furnishes a statistical summary of the city’s remarkable, almost newspaper circulation). phenomenal, building growth. ~Gainfully Employed--137,400. Note: *Estimated. New Businesses t1934 Report from Bureau of Internal Revenue, latest For a number of years Houston business leaders have given available figures. much thought to the problem of diversification in industry. They ~1930 figures, latest available figures from Census Bu- earnestly worked toward the end that Houston business should reau, 22 H 0 U S 10 1~ P o R T B O O K November, 1940 A Directory of the Houston Chamber of Commerce Many persons and firms located far from Houston desire MEMBERSHIP DEPARTMENT service and information with reference to their various interests, L. GOLDSTON, Manager for which the Houston Chamber of Commerce is always glad to MORRISH. TRIFON, Assistant be called upon. Establishes friendly contacts between members, prospective Following is the Executive Committee: members, new citizens and visitors through confidence in the WRIGHTMORROW ............................ PresideNt Chamber of Commerce. H. 0. CLARKE........................... Vice-President J. SAYLES LEACH........................ Vice-President RESEARCH AND STATISTICS J. M. LYKES ............................ Vice-President RALEIGH HORTENSTINE........... Secretary of the Board J. V. McGoODWIN,Acting Manager J. VIRGIL SCOTT ............................. Treasurer Maintains a file of approximately 1,500 items on subjects of L. S. ADAMS......................... Member-at-Large informational value with-reference to Houston, its trade territory W. N. BLANTON..... Vice-President and General Manager and Texas. This information is available to anyone anywhere. The service rendered by the Chamber of Commerce is divided into several departments, of which the following is an outline, and MANUFACTURERS AND WHOLESALERS they at all times welcome inquiries from those desiring their HAROLDE. NELSON, Manager assistance : Contacts Houston trade territory and assists jobbers and manu- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT facturers to develop new business. W. U. BLANTON,Vice President and General Manager T. W. ARCHER, Office Manager AGRICULTURAL W. O. Cox, Manager TRANSPORTATION Agricultural conditions in Harris County and adjoining coun- C. E. HOLLOMAN,Manager ties. Specific information to individuals on farming problems. Boys’ E. E. DULLAHAN,Assistant and girls’ rural club work. Information from specialists employed in the department of livestock and dairying, home demonstration and Rate quotations. Readjustments of rate situations. Publication field crop subjects. County agent work. Information available of rate changes. Preparation of statistical information in defense through direct contact with the Extension Service of the State of rate adjustments. Analysis of transportation problems. Dissemi- Agricultural and Mechanical College. nation of information on the car situation and any other transpor- tational subjects of interest to shippers. HIGHWAY GLEN n. BLACKBURN, Manager INDUSTRIAL AND AVIATION MAJOR ROLANDA. LAIRD, Manager Provides comprehensive service for motorists and tourists and assists in the planning of new or improved highway construction. Industrial Assists in planning new highways that directly or indirectly benefit Sites. Warehouses. Retail locations. Labor situation. Statistical Houston. information on industrial subjects. Business conditions (city and PUBLICITY state). Present and future industrial possibilities. J. T. MCCULLY, Manager Aviation MALCOLMYATES, Assistant Stimulates the establishment of new airmail and passenger National and local distribution of civic advertising, including services at Houston; inaugurates statewide movements for the bet- news publicity on Houston development. Pictures and cuts of terment of commercial flying in Texas and fosters the improvement Houston’s commercial and civic life for the use of visitors and for of airports in Houston and generally throughout Texas.