Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-29
A BUREAU OF INFORMATION.

General Manager Towne, of the South
ern Pacific Company, at the opening of the
rainy season arranged to utilize the force
OF station and other agents of the company
rs scattered throughout the State and adj
Jaeent sections for the purpose Of gathering
reliable information concerning the condi-
ton of the country and the business out
look. Each agent-and they are intelli-
gent and observing men-was instructed to
take time and carefully, iudicially, as it
were, ascertain the necessary facts as to
present conditions, and to formulate con-
illusions on the basis of the best evidence
attalnable as to the outlook for the coming
season in their several precincts. They
were especially to ascertain the facts rela-
tive to industries, the probable activity
that will be manifest in them, and the out
look regarding new industries and develop
ments, etc. These inquiries and conclu-
sions extended to the State of Nevada. to
Arizona and to New Mexico.
Elaborate responses have already been
received from 800 agents, and the result is
generally most gratifying. In many in
stances the statistical information collated
and forwarded is of the very highest value.
and In all cases the reports testify to the
industry and sincerity of the person an
pointed to the task. In another column
we reprint from the San Francisco Past =
summary of some Of the reports. showing.
IN necessarily brief form, what the true
industrial and commercial situation now
Is In vast area of country. Further syn
optical articles of ike character, gleanings
from still other reports, are promised. and
will unquestionably prove as interesting as
that now published certainly is. We in
wife attention to the paper in this issue
Itwill more than repay perusal and to the
agrlculturist, business man and manufact-
urer will prove of absorbing interest
1t shows that in the San Francisco
and San Pablo Bays region, and the
districts represented by the lower San .Toa-
quin valley, by Stanislaus, MERGED. Fresno
1ulare and Kern counties. the outlook is
OF the most encouraging character. and that
the spring season promises to open with re-
markable industrial and productive activ-
ity, increased agriculture, an augmented
yield, and a practical ard most desirable
settling of the country.
The idea of thus collecting information
was Il most ingenious and commendable
one, and it opens the way for the sugges
ton that it be repeated in succeeding
years. For while the information thus OBJ
tanned IS at present entirely reliable. it
must be apparent to all, that the represen-
tatives of the company, as they are
familiarized with such statistical labor.
will become more and more cultured in
that prime faculty, observation, the quail
lty that makes the good newspaper man.
and that is essential to the good traveller
These agents viii awaken more earnestly
TO the true wants of the country, and will
cultivate so much of the inquisitive spirit
as fits them for such tasks. They will begin
to feel deeper interest in the State. the
staple productions of the country, and the
methods of cultivation. They will here
after-should the plan be retained in the
domestic policy of the company-meet the
thousands of men with whom thew are
thrown into contact, not merely as a mat
ter of form, but as original investigators
and as solicitous testimony-takerS. They.
will become epitomes Of fact regarding
lands, prices for the same, productive capa-
bilities, industrial ventures and successes,
causes of failure, needs of the sections I'm
der their observation, prospects for set
tiers. hindrances to development and invi-
tations- for investment Their forecasts,