Arizona republican., 1891-02-13
AS SEEN BY OTHERS.
Impressions of an Eastern Capitalist
 Upon This Valley.


 Mir. F. A. Welch, capitalist of New York City, who is visiting Phoenix, in converse. ion with REPUBLICAN report CT yesterday, expressed his impressions of the Salt River Valley and her pros- pecls in terms, which, coming from Il man ol wide travel and experience, are certainly tiattenng.
 "lt Is my opInion," said the gentle man, "tha. there are few sections in tn country winch have as bright future as your valley. Your resources are look Ing to deveOpmenL in manner which should inspire the greatest confidence m the people. 1 have been Tn almost every part Ol the Union and have of iaIe years been interested in the West ana cah upon matured judgment say that, m comparison with the valleys Ot CallOrnIa, oregon and Washington, and there Is no record Ot a more wonderful advancement than they have realized at Seattle, Tacoma and other points in their vicinity in Washington, the lands have not nearly the intrinsic value of your lands here.
 "l was ln Phoenix about four years ago and purchased small body oI land which has been put Tn alfalfa, and while 1 have not realized anything otf ol 1t am certain that IL will one day represent q value lar beyond what would be con sIdered at present reasonable estimate. The people ot the East have heard Ui the capabilities ot your section, but without material evidence are lncredulOus. They hear UI your fruit products and agrl- cultural resources, but from impressions that have emanated from tourists pass ing through on the line of the railroad 1t Is hard tU convince them that there is an area ol prolific soil in the bosom Ot Arl2Ona which may rival the famed val leys ol California. It is my opinion that your advantages for fruit raising are much superior to Calliornia's, for your water system Is much ahead of theirs, and the fact that fruits ripen earlier enabling you to appropriate the best market, is big item.
 "rhe railroad question with you, of course, is vital question. You want lnLer-COmmunlCatiOn with other points In the Territory and, what will follow, trading facilities with the world. 1 un- derstand that your Le- islatu e is new considering blll to encourage the con 
 for twenty years exemption from tax alton. ih!s IS, Tn my opinion, a wise move, for 1t will be sufficient induce ment 10 attract capital for the purpose. There Is certainly abundant reason for connection with the North. You will De able to supply them with your valley products and get in return their lumber and to reap much profit from the conse- quent development of the mining regions. Even with your supply of alfalfa you can realize at a minimum rate at least SS per ton, and at this fig ure every acre would pay handsome profit on valuation of SlOO. Your fruit interests, of course, are paramount, and while the orange culture is yet in it's infancy, there Is every reason to be- lieVe that 1t will be success"
 Don't you think, Mir. Welch," asked the reporter. "that we are destined to have great CityH
 'I do, sir. Everything points to it. With all of these vast causes around you the effect must be to build up splendid city. And Eastern people are ready enough to lend thelr capital to the ad- vancement of such enterprises as your prospects encourage when the vim and energy of the people demonstrate that the prospects are substantial. Your climate is inviting and will attract many health seekers when you are better known. 1 cannot conceive a more delightful day than this, with the warm sunshine banishing the memory of our Eastern cold, with it's blockades of snow.
 My observations have been taken out of personal interest and as have said by comparisons with other sections 1 have visited, 1 believe the question of your future prosperity depends upon the energy of the people,"
 MT. Wech is the senior member of the firm of Welch, Holmes & Clark, ex- tensive commission merchants of New York City, and, as suggested by TIE REPUBLICAN representative to him, the people of Arizona realize that much oi their prosperity will be due 10 diffusion of the impressions received by Eastern visitors throughout their individual sec tions.