The Arizona champion., 1891-01-24
RAILROAD CoMMUNIC 4TION.

Everything indicates at present that something will be done in the near future towards connecting this, the A. & P. road with the Southern Pacific, if nothing more, at present, than the construction of the gap be. tween Prescott and Phoenix. In the event of the completion of this gar it will be better than no road to the agricultural regions of the Phoenix country. Some might think such a road might delay the construction of other lines we, however, do not agree in such conclusions,as the traffic such road will secure, will demon strate that there is room for other roads to those famous valleys. The scheme of construction of a branch from the P. & A. C. to the mines at Jerome ought to be 'consumated. Those mines are capable of an output several times greater than produced at present. This group of mines is at present one of the greatest pro- ducers on the continent, ana with better facilities for the movement of ore, coke and supplies, is capable of maintaining as many people as the celebrated Calumet and Heckel, in the Lake Superior Region, around gnich are cfistered some 2,ooo peo- pie. The mines at Prescott are in a better shape than ever before. The celebrated firm of Phelps, Dodge & Co.,, of New York, one ot the oldest, strongest and reliable commercial houses on the continent, are expend> ing something like half million dol lars on the Old Senator, and will un- doubtedly place this mine among the the best producers on the continent. Diamond Joe" Reynolds, of Chi cago, gentleman of large capital, has placed the Congress on thor ough paying basis. These firms with immense capital, and men who are known to be practical in all their ventures, have tended to inspire con- hdence in Eastern capital, and the field of mining in our Territory is now in a better condition than ever before and the construction of the gap between Prescott and Phoenix is plain 70 any one to be profitable venture from its completion. " A'road from this point to Phoenix would make shorter outlet to the Phoenix people to the East than via Prescott. They will require large amounts oi lumber from this forest. One of the largest coal fields on the continent exists within a few days drive to the northeast. Fresh beef could be de. livered into the Phoenix country within few hours time. Our moun- tain climate would afford our Phoenix neighbors cool retreat during their hottest weather. The mines of gold and copper in Tonto Basin could, un- doubtedlY, be made to pay dividends upon the road. There is mistaken idea as to the resources and capabili- ties of the Gila and Salt river valleys. Many think the area, capable of cul- tivation, very limited. The impres- sion also prevails that their water supply IS already exhausted. Both of these conclusions are erroneous. Men of intelligence, who have inves- tigated the resources of these valleys, claim that they are capable of n11afn- taining million people, and the opportunities for the storage of water are ample for a much larger area.
 These erroneous Ideas as to those valleys, isanexpianation why we have at present no railroad communication with those valleys. That region is ;new. But few years ago those val leys were vacant United States lands.