Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-06-14
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SACRAMENTO.

OPPORTUNITIES FOR SACRAMENTO.
There has been great deal of "talk" at
times scattered over many years, about
the need in Sacramento of manufacturing
establishments. But most of the "talk"
has evaporated in sound. OF course man.
ufacturing is always the response to de-
mand and safe market, but in degree
there is demand that can be created by
diversion of trade from foreign or distant
depots of supply to those of our own, for
instance. The city or otner community
that is dependent upon single, or even
two great institutions for its manufacture
ing business, is not in an enviable condi-
ton, because the suspension or diminution
of one or both works immediate panic in
the community. The town dependent
upon one large manufacturing concern
may be likened to an insurance company
with all its risks within the possibility of
single eonflagration.
1t follows that that town is best condi-
toned that has a number Of prosperous
factories employing distinct groups of
skilled workmen. That town is still bet
ter favored where this number of manu-
factories represent dissimilar products; for
where there is but one kind of manufact-
IRE carried on, depression in the market
of that product is much the same in its
effects upon the community as where there
is but one factory upon which the people
place dependence, for there must come
times in all activities that are dull, and
periods in which there will be industrial
stagnation and even absolute suffering.
The question that ought to agitate the
minds of well-wishers of Sacramento now
is that of manufactures. There is reason
to believe that at no time has the question
ever been wisely handled here. There
have been, within the last fifteen years,
half dozen propositions by capital to estab-
fish large plants of various kinds here, but
only one of them has been realized. Some
of those that have offered have been car
ried out in other localities and are pros
porous and great benefits to such COM
munities. Perhaps it viii not profit us to
review the reasons for the failure of Sac
ramento to secure these manufacturing
plants, or why those she once had were
lost. 1t may we'll be said that the past
should bury its own dead, and that it is
sufficient to consider the present.
So far as the question of high and low
taxation enters into the matter now, that
branch of the subject can be dismissed
with the suggestion that any worthy man.
ufacturing industry can be assured bounty
sufficient to counterbalance the tax rate.
What have We, then, to encourage the be-
lief that manufactures might be enlisted
for Sacramento, as they have been for sew
eral near points? There is consumption
in the central and northern portions of the
State for manufactured products that
ought TO be made at home, and there is
reason to believe such consumption will at
an early day be greatly augmented by
influx of population, following the quiz
etude of the last two years in the move
ment of people.
The centrality Of the city, and its nota-
bly, fine means OF distribution over diverg-
ing lines of rail and by river, are advan-
tages of high order that can be used
with much force. Security of structures
from the assaults of the rivers can be
guaranteed upon uplands or, for the matter
of that, anywhere in the city, with far
greater certainty than the West can insure
against storm elements. There is nos
nearly completed at Folsom works for the
utilization Of water power of the first
order, by means Of which motive power
may be transmitted to this city at cost
so low as to eliminate the question of fuel
for creation of steam. Added TO these ad
vantages are those of purely climatic
order, and which are of weighty import in
several kinds OF manufacture. Dry atmos-
pheres in large number of lines of man.
facture are essential, as we'll as long and
reliable seasons free from humidity.
The erection of works in this city in
wolves far less outlay than in most other
places, since ground room is ample and
there is broad margin for choice There
is not, therefore, nearly so great demand
for large fixed capital here as in San Fran
cisco where ground rents are exceedingly
high and occupation represents the lock-
ing up of large capital. Even if the adj
vantages the Folsom works offer for ample
power are counted out, the capacity for
natural motive power Is not cut of, for it
is a well-known fact that from three or
four other sources water power can be Sc.
cured at not such great outlay as is gener-
ally supposed, and there are those who