Arizona republican., 1890-12-10
OBSERVATIONS.
sugar Beet Culture the Great Source of
 Wealth for Phoenix.
To the Editor of THE REPUBLICAN


 Wealth for Phenia.
 To the Editor of THE REPUBLICAN
 As there is truce in politics for 6 while, several articles in your news paper on economic subjects encourage me to offer few suggestions as disin. terested party.
 north and south railroad is gener- ally demanded, but the means of build ing it have not been arrived at. The exchange of commodities between north and south are naturally greater than between east and west; but this does not apply to manufactured goods. A north and south railroad from Phoenix to Prescott would furnish market for the farm products of the Salt River Val lev, but farmers are very apt to buy sup plies where they sell products and have credits, so the commerce of Ph9nix, ex- cept the hand-to-mouth business, would likely be transferred to Prescott. "A cross-cut saw cuts both ways"
 The expectation of getting favora ble Congressional action and Presidential approval at this session for the north and south railroad may be we'll founded, but there is nothing in past experience 10 justify it. My observation justities the opinion that lobby influences more often defeat than benefit meritorious measure. Senators and members are less and less inclined every year to be influenced by unofficial information and as for money disbursements in Wash ington they generally go to imposters and banners who have no influence with anybody.
 It is perhaps fortunate that our Terri torial Legislature will be in session some time after Congress adjourns and it will be time for them to consider the rail road necessities of the Territory after Congress shall have failed CT refused to afford any relief.
 The congested condition of the Salt River Valley, and other parts of the speedy relief as the year will close with an unsatisfactory balance sheet. Even if the Territory were gridironed with railroads, there must be something produced for transportation. The arri- val of the train here yesterday with one white passenger and four Mexicans is. not encouraging to the extension of the railroads, but it must be admitted that 10 cents a mile does not offer induce ments to tourists.
 The argument in favor of establishing communication with competing lines is laid to rest by the combine recently en- tered into by the continental railways. A man must have a very hard head, both inside and out, who would essay to buck against the railway corporations with their stupendous power.
 In agricultural productions we can scarcely undertake to compete with the states in wheat, barley, cotton, hay, hogs, hemp, tobacco or any other staple: but in the comparatively new industry of sugar beets. Arizona could probably excel, as the soil and sun are exceed ingly favorable to saccharine produc- tiOns, and the bounty of cents pound offered by the Government for the man. ufacture of domestic sugar forms an in- ducement never known heretofore. The frost which kills fruit will never hurt beets; and it may be reasonably hoped that two crops year can be produced on the same land. Twenty-Five tons per acre would be small average for Ari- zona land, and the percentage oi saccha- rine matter would justify market value of over $5 per ton. The residuum furnishes good provender. c. D. P. PHGNIx, December 8, 1890.