The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1883-06-03
A WORD OF CAUTION.

It is apparent that an effort is be-
ing made to "boom" Salt Lake.
Evidences of this fact are seen on
all sides, and not a few persons are
entering upon a period OF excep.
tional business activity an d UMPIRE
cedented prosperity. Being convin'
ced in their own minds that the
city is going to make rapid strides
towards wealth, Importance and
greatness, a good many people are
expecting to float on the flood to
fortune. Perhaps we are on the
edge of a long season of financial
good fortune. 1t is sincerely hoped
such is the case. Some of the
signs would indicate time of ex-
traordinarY well-being was upon
us. A marked advance in the price
of real-estate is everywhere re-
garded as a proof that a town is
prosperous. Increased activity in
building is also considered a favor
able indication. Salt Lake
has both these pointers"
Real estate was never higher than
at present, and residences and
business buildings are going up
in every quarter of the city. All
these signs of good times may
prove trustworthy omeus but
some of our shrewdest and most
far seeing citizens are of the opinion
that it will be well enough for people
not to expect too much. Prosperity
cannot be created from nothing.
We can delude ourselves for a few
days into the belief that the town
is upon the eve of mighty things
il the way of trade, commerce and
progress, but the fancy will be as
readily dispelled. There must be
something besides talk to create
and maintain brisk times. News
taper assertions and mems predic-
ions will not do it. These are good |
if backed by something tang
lble and substantial. Just now
the latter may be visible to
some, but there are others who
cannot see them. There is nothing
in plain sight from which to safely
base prediction that Salt Lake is
going to indulge in any remarkable
business boom. On the contrary
there are indications that some
people who are anticipating great
things will be grievously and dis
5ressingly disappointed; perhaps dis
so. THE HERALD
advises greater caution than some
seem to be exercising. 1t is improb-
able that the unreasonably high b
prices charged for real estate will be !
maintained, and no thoughtful per- a
ION can expect that the exorbitant r
'ents now asked will continue. 1t :
S not as if Salt Lake were on an
sIand, or circumscribed as to
growth. The city proper already
spreads over land enough for a
own of four times our present
population, and there are miles of
erritory on all sides, which circum-
tances preclude the posi-
,ility of keeping prices to
hese extraordinary points. Those
PERSONS who are involving
themselves to erect buildings with
he view to taking advantage Of the
Ugh rents are liable to awaken one
f these mornings to a realization of
he fact that their haste and lack of
onsideration and forethought have
ulned them. There are times when
is safe to "heave ahead" and trust
the future to sustain you; but we
re mistaken if the present is one Of
hese times. There is nothing to
ldicate that Salt Lake will indulge
l any extravagant growth or unu-
lal activity, while everything
oints to her continuance at the
,eady rate of progress which has
Iarked her advance in the past, and
lade her solid and substantial.
eople who are counting upon =
ore than this are running great
SIX of disappointment and sorrow.
ntiI the signs of the times are more
Salt Lakers will do well
make haste slowly in the matter
going into debt, with the expec-
ton that a ''boom" will clear 4
EN-. 4
II