San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-10-24
A PLEASANT INTERVIEW.
From Gotham to the GuIf-Notes by
the Way-How the Alamo City
Figures in the Deal


! Mr.. J. NJ. Emerson, for several years
resident here, well known as a live bust
ness man, and though at present making
| New York his headquarters still inter-
ested in trade and real estate here, is in
the city. An old friend and staunch
patron of the LIGHT. it was pleasure to
meet him and enquire concerning trade in
the east, the business outlook, his i'm
preSSionS by the way, and here also, that
the LIGHTS readers might see somewhat
through the spectacles of keen observer,
and an old San Antonian, how they APP
peared in contrast with others.
Mr.. Emerson left New York on the 18th
inst. and made his trip via. Chicago and
Kansas City, spending week in
the former city, arriving here on the Goth.
He represents business at the east good,
particularly retail trade, and some
branches of jobbing and wholesale. Other
branches are depressed owing to the I'M
certaintieS arising from the operations of
the Mckinley bill. There has been such
rush of importations to take advantage
of the lower schedules now ruling that
the banks are very cautious about max
ing advances, and business feels this.
airy, and since his departure Mr.. Emer-
son says his correspondence shows the
situation improved by prompt action of
the treasury department
In Chicago he found a perfect rush.
The members of the International Iron
and Steel convention were in the city and
every hotel was full. These men are a
fine, solid, substantial body of men and
impress one with their personality as men
of weight and influence.
Chicago is divided, says Mr. Emerson,
over her fair and matters are by no
means settled, though so represented
abroad. One class, those who wanted it
on Lake Front, because they had inter-
ests there. were antagonized by others
who wanted it elsewhere, and the whole
thing threatens to become a disgrace to
Chicago. Large hotels and good many
OF them will have to be built if the people
who come to the fair are accommodated,
and if they are hotel accommodations
after the fair. will be cheaper than in any
city in America for some years to come.
Mr. Emerson says the country looks
splendid, excepting here and there, as he
sped down from Kansas City to the North
Texas line, 1t looked as though vegeta-
tion had been somewhat cut short
and stunted by drouth. As Texas was
neared the signs of vigorous growth
were increased, and all through the state
as the journey southwark was made a
marked improvement was visible. "AS
noted" said Mr.. Emerson, ''the growing
towns, with their visible signs of prog
ress, Improvement and promise of bet
ter things ! could not but wonder
why San Antonio did not catch the spirit
of increase, scrape the moss off her back
and get move on herself, but when / ar
rived here was actually astonished. |
did not believe it was possible for city
so prOverbial for her slowness, to make
the advance in one year that San Antonio
has. The substantial nature of these i'm
provements is not the least remarkable
thing about them. On the streets,
in the plazas, business blocks,
residences, suburban improvements,
electric motors, and all these
evidently but the promise of other things
to be, l am delighted with the appearance
of things. Some good manufacturing
industries to fix things securely and our
future would be assured"
Mr.. Emerson was not in town long
enough to wipe off the dust of travel be-
fore a real estate agent was after him to
list his Soledad street properties, but he
has no intention of selling. The exact
time of Mr.. Emerson's stay in the city is
not fixed, but the early part of November
will probably see him on his way east,
after having arranged with his partners
for more vigorous conduct of business
at the old Soledad place.