San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-06-16
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1886.
CAN WE GET THEM.

The location OF the shops OF the
Southern Pacific road in this city. ref
erence to which was made in our local
columns yesterday, would be one OF the
most important and every way desirable
movements that could possibly be made.
1t has been generally understood here
tOfore that these shops had been perma-
nently located at Houston and that work
upon their erection would soon com
mence, arrangements TO that effect hav-
ing been announced through the HOus-
ton Press. The LIGHT has learned, how
ever, that this matter is not absolutely
fixed; that the Southern Pacific shops
have not been definitely located and
that it Is not too late to make overtures in
this matter. The road already owns a
very considerable tract in this city, upon
which they have their repair shops.
roundhouse, yard and depot grounds.
This property lies very near the city
reservation, set apart for whatever road
may accept it for railway machine shops.
The intervening lots could be secured
by the city for about $1,000. II the
profier Of these lots would be any induce
ment to the Southern Pacific road to To-
cate their shops here, San Antonio could
make no better investment of 5000 than
this would be. The assurance that our
northwestern extension will be speedily
undertaken and rapidly pushed gives
reasonable ground for belief that San
Antonio must very shortly become the
center OF a system OF railway lines that
will give her command of the commerce
Of this entire section OF the state. This
outlook would naturally induce railway
enterprise to center here, and there could
be no better time than this present for
feeling the pulse Of the Southern Pacific
road on this question of locating their
machine and car shops at this point.
The immense advantages that would
accrue to this city from such location
are apparent. The shop force required
when the works are fully completed,
and running with all departments as
contemplated, will be nearly. If not fully
700 men. This would add to our popu-
latIon in the neighborhood of 5000 per-
sons and increase the sales OF our retail
merchants by just so much as would be
necessary to feed and clothe that hum
Der Of individuals. The wages Of these
operators would average at very low
estimate $3.50, 900 year, and $4,000 a
month added to the retail business Of
this city is not matter to be over
looked. This, however, would be but
the beginning Of our advantages. The
homes these men would establish and
the improvements they would make
would add to the real value of city
property and quicken the pulse Of all in
dustrial movements. The addition of
such population would stimulate the
efforts Of those who are halting on the
threshold Of manufacturing enterprises
and induce an investment at once, as
the assurance Of profitable returns would
naturally grow In the atmosphere of
other successful enterprises. Having
put her hand to the pillow, San Antonio
cannot afford to look back. There is no
city in Southern Texas so advantage
ously placed as she Is for becoming
great commercial and industrial center.
While little below the wheat and oats
belt, her cotton crop and her wool will
always afford her the raw material for
the manufacture OF cotton ard wool
fabrics; she has the fiber and wool waste
for manufacturing paper, and the light
skins for lucrative shoe and slipper
factory. The lands between here and
the gulf, along the San Antonio river,
afford the finest openings for successful
market gardening and fruit culture Of
any in the state, and all these enter
prises would naturally follow in the
wake Of our growth as q city and the
influx Of large population to this point.
San Antonio has done well in taking
hold so heartily Of her railroad extern
sion to the northwest. 1t is a big move
In the right direction. Let her see II
there be any prospect Of securing these
shops Of the Southern Pacific railway
and II so, upon what terms. 1t will do
no harm to try, and a committee of
citizens should be appointed at the