Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-04-08
OLYMPIA, SATURDAY MORNING, APRIL 5, 1876
THE OUTLOOK.

The Rev. G.. H. Atkinson has we'll
considered article in one of the Portland
papers upon the effect produced by
railroads and other safe and speedy
means of communication on commun-
lilies which have never enjoyed unre
stricted facilities for commercial growth.
He has Teen close observer of the
results which followed the completion
of the Central Pacific Railroad, and
reasons from analogous circumstances
that the effect will be similar as the
Northern Pacific extends its route and
business. He says the first effect in
California was to produce mania for
speculation in city lots and land; the
second to over-run that State with
Eastern goods, which decreased the
city trade and depressed the value of
city property; the third to arouse the
capitalists and business men to protect
themselves by establishing and encour-
aging all kinds of manufactures; the
fourth to bring in skilled laborers and
increase the employment Of unskilled
workmen; the fifth to stimulate the
production aud increase the variety of
agricultural products; the sixth to
make San Francisco one of the great
manufacturing centers of the world;
the seventh to increase and extend the
commerce of that State; and the eighth
has been to overcome every natural him
drance to the growth of business, of
San Francisco and yicinity-to make it
in all respects self-sustaining and in
dependent. The writer believes that
like results will follow the extension of
the Northern Pacific Railroad and the
completion of the Puyallup coal road.
The first and second effects have al
ready been realized, to the cost of many
whose speculative zeal led them int
investments possessing only a promise
of return while the popular pulse was
at fever heat, and that of business men
whose wares were brought into compe-
tition with those of a larger market,
where better facilities for trade allowed
a smaller margin of profit. The third
effect-of arousing business men to the
imperative necessity of protecting them
selves by establishing and encouraging
all kinds of manufactures should
meet with aready example here. Many
staple articles find their way to the
Sound from the shops and stores in
Portland, which could as we'll be pro-
duced here. The completion, of the
Pailroad to the Columbia river has
made that city a competitor for the
trade of the people: and the sooner
our tradesmen realize the Importance OF
developing new means of keeping money
at home, the sooner the present stag
nation of business will be relieved.
We believe that Mr.. Atkinson's obser.
vations are in the main correct, and
the conclusion very naturally follows
that if like causes produce like effects
the course open to our people is plain
and imperative. The progress of the
times tends to equalization. If WE
cannot sell at big prices, we must Ell
deavor to sell more in quantity, and keeI
every dollar possible at home by bring
ing prices of products as low as those
of imported articles. When facilities
are afforded whereby we may cut of
the large sum annually spent for i'm
ported goods, we will have laid thu
cornerstone of future greatness ant
continued prosperity.