Los Angeles herald., 1890-06-17
TUESDAY, JUNE II, 1890.
THE WAY TO DO 1T.

Progressive communities must be
foreseeing ones, and they must some
times put out money that will not be
profitable because of its direct fruits,
but because the enterprise it backs has
others cognate with it that will be of
direct benefit to the community. In
other words, the policy that must see
dollar and a half in full view and attain
able tomorrow before dollar is risked
today, is not the policy of wise people
and will not lead to big results. 1t is
interesting to trace the derivation of
words, and much instruction of most
practical sort often turks behind bit of
pathological research. For example,
take the word "rival.' 1t is from
the same root as the word river and
came into being because of the
intense jealousy of cities situated op-
posite each other, or near one another on
the same stream. The struggle for su-
premacy crystallized in that word rival
is an old one but it is strong prin-
ciple in the affairs of life today. And
let us not dream that Los Angeles has
no rivalry to contend with. This city
has very strong position and manifold
advantages in her favor; but these
things are imperative unless we improve
them. They are not automatic III their
action, but must be wisely used
to bring about results. Los An
geles has rivalry, and that of
no mean strength. San Francisco is
500 miles away, and that fact discounts
her population and wealth so far as we
are concerned, provided we bestir our
selves and use the advantages of our
position. San Diego is only 100 miles
from us, and she has an excellent harbor
for commercial purposes. We are
placed in the midst OF section of great
possibilities, and the business of this
rich valley belongs to us by every
economic law; but we must be ready to
do this business and to serve the inter-
ests of this community-that is, OF our
selves-and to develop the resources of
the valley. The pawnbroller's method
of doing business will not succeed in
holding our own in this sharp rivalry in
business. 1t will require better than
a hand-to-mouth policy if we are to sue
ceed. Here is little straw to show
how the wind is blowing down at the
silver gate of bay and climate. San
Diego has no opera house. No sane
man would build a pretentious edifice
there for such purpose as private
commercial venture. 1t would not pay.
But a lot of people who are interested in
other matters in that city have taken
the matter up and propose to build
one of the finest houses in the state.
The sum of 500 600 has been raised and
paid for lot, and now the Sespe Brown
Stone Company has an order to get out
stone for the building. In giving the
order the persons interested said to the
agent of the company: "We may not be
able to put the building up at once in
these dull times, but send down the
stone and we will pile it upon the lot for
the present, and go on with the work at
a near day." The edifice when COM
plete, with the lot included, is to cost
$250,000 1t will not pay one per cent.
year on the investment, but it will
help to make other enterprises pay and
it will build up San Diego. The Cor
onado does not begin to pay one
per cent. on it's cost, but it
is of incalculable effect in it's good to
the city. And just such is the broad
spirit OF enterprise that has made most
great cities. That was the spirit that
made Chicago what she is. Ralston's
venturesome methods did great deal to
build up San Francisco. The same
methods are being used with marvellous
results at Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane
Falls and Portland right now. We
must not drop behind the procession a
jot. Our place is in the foremost ranks,
but supineness will not keep us there as
things are going. To keep in place we
must simply move.