Los Angeles daily herald., 1890-01-05
sIIrDAY. JANUARY 5, 1890.


----------------=.=-==
sIINDAY. JANUARY 5, 1890.
New Sources OF Prosperity and
Growth.
The interesting spectacle OF city
growing from IL, 800 in 1880 to 80, 600 in
1890, Aas probably only been witnessed
twice u the history of the United States
outsidS of Los Angeles, viz, in the
cases pf Chicago and Kansas City. In
the decade between 1880 and 1870 the
latter city increased seven hundred per
cent il population, feat which We have
unquationably performed between 1880
and lse0, basing the estimate upon the
registered vote Of last year, the census OF
schod children, the statistics of the gas
and water companies and the judgment
Of those best informed in such matters.
Of,dourse, such remarkable ratios can
not b maintained after cities have
reached certain growth. They are
possible only in the pioneer period; but,
nevertheless, quite exceptional incre-
ments are possible even when CITY has
attained . population OF eiehty thous-
and.
The 9uses which made this city take
such rapid strides in the decade named
were, primarily and most important of
all, our climate; secondly, the special
development of our railway system, and,
thirdly the transformation of our sheep
pastures into farms, orchards and homes.
The second factor was comparatively slow
in its operation. For some years it was a
question as to whether the completion of
the railway between Los Angeles and
San Francisco benefited Los Angeles.
Its advent involved q reorganization OF
all our methods Of doing business.
Hitherto we had been dependent on mule
teams, stages and steamers. Industries
had grown up in connection with this
method of transportation which it re.
quired some time to replace. The pro-
cess d adjustment was completed, and
Los Angeles began to grow in earnest by
the time the Southern Pacific, in it's
progress to New Orleans. had reached
the Arizona line. From that time for
ward our rate was rapid, until, in 1886.
81, we struck killing pace, and our own
more sagacious citizens called halt.
Having put in two years in the process
of liquidation, and having left behind
the feverish boom of the years referred
to, what is the situation which confronts
this city today?
The three transcontinental railways,
which alresdy:have their termini here,
and which are practically made five by
the relations of the Santa Fe with the
Atlantic & Pacific road and of the Sunset
with the Texas Pacific, have been often
dwelt upon in these columns. Together
with our local roads, which are quite
unique in their extent and completeness,
they form guarantee for development
OF exceptional strength and perfection.
Taken in connection with the Denver &
Bio Grande and, Union Pacific Railways,
each of which will have a terminus here
within two years, they make Los An
geles commercial center of transconti-
mental importance. The extension to
this city of the Carson & Colorado Rail-
way is also An event of the next fifteen to
eighteen months, or less. The arrival of
these roads, or even of single one of
them, will convert Los Angeles into a
great smelling center. The vast variety
OF base metals carrying silver and cop.
per in Ioyo county will of itself insure
this result, while there is practically no
limit to the manufactures of iron which
will spring up here on the arrival Of
either of the roads which will traverse
Southwestern Utah. Ga either of these
lines cheap coal caa be had in abun-
dance, thus assuring ample facilities for
all branches of manufactures. The dis.
eovery of immense deposits of coal in
Alaska, which are owned by Senator
John z. Jones. end the product of which
it is that gentlemAn's fixed purpose to
bring to this city, via .lrta Monica, is
another element in our future which did
not xist ten years agos
Still in the line Of cheap fuel we have
the guarsntee of manufacturing indus
tries i'll the remarkable tx.ent Of the oil
measures Ut Los Angeles and Ventura
counlies, which cover an extent of terri.
tory that assures Us a pract cally illimit-
able supply sf the staple. Ten years ag,,
the Messrs. 9. N. FELTON, and Scofeld &
Tevis were only fairly entering upon
their work Now their production run+
mp 10 ihe millions If dollars worth
yearly and oil territory Ct most valu-
able kind has been exploited to the
aouthsrn boundary Uf Los Angeles unty.
Already this vi! is being x ensively used
for fuel /; aud, as the supply increases, it
will Vi sself 20 far t. give our people q
cheap sad seryiceable fuel. That natural
gae ex,sts here ia large measure, is be.
yond duub', and there iIevery reason to
believs that IL will soon bs developed ih
great q1aatties.
Oar commercial position has been i'm
proved b, ,he intelligent IF ,rts of the
Messrs. Aiusworfh & Thompson to
give us new harbor at Redoudo B Bsach.
They have accomplished this measure.
bly, already, and large quantities Of
freight are already discharged at that
point from steamers of the Pacific Coast
Steamship Company and opposition