Arizona weekly citizen., 1889-08-10
RAILROAD POSSIBILITIES.


 The development of Arizona depends upon the cheapening of the means of moving the productions. We have an immense forest of timber at one part of the Territory, cereals in another, coal in another. and a mineral belt, so called, filled with metals of untold wealth. Yet these great interests are sleeping as they cannot move. Cereals are stocked and pinned in the Salt and Gila Valleys, waiting for a market. The lumbermen are paying enormous prices for forage and flour, and the market for lumber is small. Prospectors are camped at the mouths of their mines waiting for wea- ther, fuel, lumber and grub. The coal fields are not even prospected for want of the means of transportation. Thus we are with evidence of resources great CT than ever Colorado or Montana could show few years ago, practically stand ing still. How long shall We wait? The great trunk roads crossing the Territory have done something, but they by TO means solve the problem. They were necessary and must be the support and mainstay of future developments, but to stop where We are and much growth is impossible, and they must find profit to this territory by stimulating further steps. In this direction all the efforts for railway to join Prescott and Phe- nix, aad success there will do mach but this is not all. The Mineral Belt road should be extended South to Globe from there :down to reach the Deer Creek coal fields to connect with a road to Tucson to be pushed on to No gales. This line should branch westerly for near Dudleyyille to Florence, by way of Mesa and Tempe to Phenix. Such road would find a market all the way to Guaymas for it's lumber and coal. The products of the valley would go to the coal fields, the mines about Globe into the lumber and grazing re- gions north and south and west, On the A. & P. road. The lower grade ores would seek the junction points for reduc- tion. All the activities of the Territory would receive new impetus, a2d wb would quickly rival Colorado and her great prosperity. Much more IS to be gained in pushing these enterprises than in constitutional conventions. the cost of which would be ample subsidy for such a road. Let all the forces come fogeth- CT, and ask Congress to permit the coun- ties of Yavapai. Gila. Pinal, Maricopa and Pima, to issue bonds in 5000 mile, in aid of such road, to be deliver ed only on completion to Globe by Gila to Florence b. Maricopa, and to .[osa- les by Pima. Subsidy is already pro vided for the line from Tucson north to the county line. Some D miles are al ready built in Yavapai The act could provide for a subsidy to the Prescott t Phenix road. Such a system would soon reach north to connection with the Utah lines, and 8 system of railroad would be established which would pay or the start, and which would open lip a wonderful land. We believe i5 cGn le done, great as is the plan. ard diff cult as it may be. Greater obstacles have been overcom' by plpchy energy and brains. It is a worthy effort and the rewards invite the effort Who will give 1t a push:
 The foregoing article on Railroad Possibilities" was written by Judge ". Barnes, who has made special study of the subject under discussion. His state ment that the amount it will cost to hold constitutional convention would ensure the building of north and south railroad if it could be used as a subsidy, is an excellent one and should put OUT people into a way of thinking how such money can best be used to the lasting advantage of the Territory.