Los Angeles daily herald., 1889-12-10

cents; limited first-class, 2.2O cents; Sec
ond.class, 1.97 cents.
In every instance the transcontinental
lines receive much less rate per mile
on each class than the trunk lines east
the river.
Existing rates are sufficiently low for
the desirable settler or man OF means. A
reduction would tend to draw into the
State the very classes not required, which
would prove only detriment to it. ANY
man who cannot afford to pay $50 from
the Missouri river to Los Angeles e, 1856. z
miles) and avail himself of the comforts
of Pullman second-clsss sleeper, is
hardly such an one as Southern Califor-
mia would want.
The principal thing of which the
people OF the East should be convinced
is that land Can be had OF reasonable
figures, according to its value compared
with other sections of the country where
climatic conditions are far inferior.
When this is done, purchasers will be
forthcoming and overland rates will be
found to present no obstacle to the in
vestors and home-seekers from the East
From the reports of our eastern agents
and connecting lines we are encouraged
to look for a good travel to the Coast
during the present winter. Messrs.
Raymond 4 Whitcomb, who are perhaps
the best Judges of tourist business, as
they are the largest individual excursion
managers, report an increased number
of bookings, and the indications are that
there will be q larger number than last
year, which exceeded all previous years.
Nearly all the transcontinsntal roads
are now running or preparing to run
periodical usually semi-monthly) second
class excursions to the Coast during the
winter. The complete organization,
large oppol tn mites, extensive advertising
and earnest eff ,its OF these lines, directed
towards get uriny business for California,
are bound to result in an awakened in
terest in and travel TO this State.
California on Wheels" during it's re-
cent tour through the Northwestern.
Western, Middle and Eastern States was
visited by over six hundred Thousand
people. That numb Der had an opportunity
OF seeing and examining for themselves
the products Of the State. 1t would not
be an exaggeration to estimate that these
described the exhibit to three times as
many more. The press in every town
and city where stops were made had two
or more notices. Already encouraging
results have been seen to flow from this
presentation of our resources.
The new California on Wheels" (soon
to start out), enlarged and impro, ed with
all the experience of last season, should
SOW such good seed that rich harvest
shall be gathered within the next few
years.
Florida, 1 think may be truthfully
said, does not now compare with Califor-
mia as resort for wintering place. The
excursion managers long since deter
mined that fact to their own satisfaction,
and are fully persuaded thereof by each
succeeding years experience.
The rate suggested by the Los Angeles
board, namely $50 from Chicago, would
leave the transcontinental line but $37 80,
yielding per mile: via Ogden, l. So cents
via Ell Paso, 1.91 cents. How much less
this is than rates prevailing on the
trunk lines of the East can readily be
determined by comparison with the
figures already shown.
1t is we'll known that the lines with
which comparisons have been made have
traffic from two 80 skiold greater than
our own, and are run at much less ex-
pense. The Southern Pacific cost of
operation, by reason of the high price of
coal, distance from base of supplies, etc:,
is more than double that of eastern
lines.
A careful consideration of the facts
presented will satisfy candid minds that
our equally desirable service is rendered
at much lower rates to the passenger and
at greater cost to the carrier than that by
any other line in the United States, and,
further, that rates could not reasonably
be reduced.
With all these facts before you, it will
be seen that if there are any other in
centives required to stimulate travel and
settlement, they must be sought through
avenues other than that suggested.
While our efforts are directed to pro-
duce revenue for Our company, We aim to
and must of necessity do that which will
increase traffic to and benefit California.
Our interests are, therefore, identical
with those of the State and of every city
and town in it, and they may always
count upon our aid in everything that
tends to their up-building. Very re-.
spectfully,
A. N. Towns,
Third Vice.P President and General Man
ager.