Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 285, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1918 — Argentina's Second Metropolis [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Argentina's Second Metropolis

ON THE broad and majestic Parana, sweeping southward toward the sea, stands Argentina’s second metropolis, Rowrio, about 800 miles distant from the Atlantic. Unlike many other large South American cities, Rosario Is neither the capital of a state nor the mpital of a nation. Its importance, therefore, is not closely allied with the vagaries of provincial or federal politics; it stands upon the solid founlation of commerce and industry, across the river, and eastward from she city’s busy streets, lies the rich argentine province of Entre Rios, writes William A. Reid, in the Bnlledn of the Pan-American Unicm. To westward stretches the level pampa, peemingly into endless space, over which the harvester garners the goldin grain or the cowboy rides with the prowing herds—lndustries so vast in artent that foreign nations constantly ffind forth their ships to trade with this famous depot of supplies. Many a nan is familiar with the great capital >f the Argentine nation, and with it he issociates enormous quantities Of products, a very true presumption; Dut fewer people hear of Rosario, more »r less overshadowed by the larger and more palatial city, but, nevertheless, a place that in recent years has largely* expanded its commerce, grown in general prosperity, and heeded the call of civic betterment Rosario is situated on the weirt bank of the Parano, the latter, under different 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 decades it has been growing. These two words are typical of the city’s progress, and it Is of the latter-day growth that we write; but at the tame time it must be remembered that the unsettled condition of the world during the last few years and the lack-of shipping facilities have retarded the progress of Rosario as well as other important commercial cities. On a Level Plain by the River. Rosario is located In the southern part of the Province of Santa Fe. In this section of the province the land Is slightly undulating, but aS one travels from the city he realizes the vast area of level plain by which he is surrounded; the soil Is 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 lowa. On this vast level plain, by the river’s side,, the early builders of Ro-i sario made a beginning. The plain where the city stands is from 50 to 300 feet above the waters of the river, 1 and at certain seasons of the year heavy rains in the interiorsnf the continent swell the Parana, which rises considerably, often overflowing its lower shores. The region about Rosario being comparatively level, there was little difficulty in planning streets, avenues and public parks. The streets generally mn westward from the river and are crossed at right angles by others, making about as perfect a checkerboard plan as any city can show. Approximately 2,000 acres of land are occupied by business streets and buildings, and the city’s population is about 235,000. Pleasing features of construction are the wideness 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 disappointing. The flatness of the plain and the line of bluffs along the western shore prevent sightseeing at its best Should we enter Rosario by rati, however, conditions are reversed and one gathers a very fair impression of outlying dtst rids and the thousands of low buildings which house workingmen and their families. Eight railroad lines enter the city from as many directions, 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 truckgardens which are now supplying the markets of Rosario, Buenos Aires and ether cities with vegetables, dairy and otter products. A decade or more ago when tiie writer visited Rosario for the

first time this industry was not so noticeable as today; and it Indicates some of the smaller Industries that gradually develop in newer ■ countries amounting on the whole to valuable sums and the products themselves responding to modern demands. ’ Some Features of the City. Rosario’s first bank was established in 1857, and the same year saw the organization of a chamber of commerce of 100 members, and a shipping society; the latter was responsible for the construction of the mole “Castellano,” which served shipping interests for many years thereafter. Being neither federal nor state capital, Rosario’s public buildings are not so numerous as those of a city of both political and commercial importance; but the latter interests are responsible for the construction of many fine edifices for innumerable purposes, a few of which art shown in the illustrations. Private residences, as a rule, partake of Spanish architecture, with the ever-loved patio and its flowers and birds as special features. Horse-drawn street cars were completely withdrawn from Rosario in 1908, and today there are modern electric cars operated on 52 or more miles of tracks, and all of the cars transported 27,000,000. passengers Li a recent year. The fare is 10 cent ivos, or the equivalent of about 4 cents In United States currency. ganization, operates the port under regulations prescribed by the federal government. The company is credited with a capital of about $2,000,000 and ’its’com cession covers a large area and approximately three miles of wharf, along which it operates 30 miles of railway. Much of the proposed work of improving and modernizing has already been accomplished; more is to be done. Cargo is handled by steam and electric cranes, the latter power being generated by the company’s private plant The company also operates a large grain elevator. During the last normal year (1913) Rosario’s exports amounted to 3,012;970 metric tons; imports, 1,307,681 metric tons. This commerce was carried by 2,078 steamers and 977 sailing vessds, which entered or cleared the port Many Small River Steamers. Aside from the activities of seagoing commerce the small trading vessels that come down to Rosario from many far inlaira points are interesting and significant For instance, the little Bolivian port of Suarez, 1,500 miles or more northward on the Paraguay, sends a regular trader to Rosario; the boats from the Alto Parana, the Pilcomayo, the Bermejo, and other rivers also make Rosario their southern terminus. With ocean and river craft of all descriptions anchored for several miles along the water front with sailors and river boatmen speaking varied languages, handling cargoes curious and interesting, a commercial picture is presented that merits the attention of a gifted painter. The city of Rosario is supplied with water for domestic purposes by an English corporation, which obtained a franchise in 1888 lasting for 70 years. The water is obtained from the Parana above the city, and after passing through filtering and Clearing reservoirs is distributed through the city by about 220 miles of pipe line. Taking 1913 as an average year there were more than 23.300 firms and Individuals taking this water, and the receipts to the company for the same period amounted to $588,000. Rosario’s system of sewerage is modern and efficient, and since 1910 the operating company Juts been extending sewers to more remote suburban districts. The net revenue in 1914 amounted to $211,000, and thia sum allowed the payment of a 3 per cent dividend to stockholders. Sewerage rates are about 4 per cent ot the rental value of property.

The Court House In Rosario.