The record-union., 1891-02-12

ready the Pioneer Mills, which is man.
ufacturing establishment pure and
simple, but of course has its links of
connection with commerce also.
1t does not require farseeing eye to
picture an agricultural implement factory
with river frontage not far above
these mills. The wooden mills, now no
more, We're planted just inside the north
levee, and ran its debris over the said
levee and, like the breweries east and
south in this city, found no easy and clean
outlet for its waste.
RabePS tannery, name we have all
heard to familiarity, crept right up to the
side OF the American River and, like a
magnet. was always supposed to draw
the stream dangerously near to our
homes.
A paper mill with its loud-smelling
watts, but white and gilt-edged products,
would get home on the banks of either
the Sacramento or American, with many
an arm to help it to its seat.
But, unlike our cenSuS-takerS, I an a
poor enumerator, and while they exhaust
all the registers of an enterprise, ! do not
profess to be able to give nearly half
our Industries. / once had the honor OF
place on the Manufacturing Committee
OF the Improvement Association of this
city, and, if do say it, was noted for al
ways stirring the sluggish waters of our
L
that at the first meeting we held COM
munication was read from watch
manufacturing company of Minneapolis,
stating that the writer was an inventor
OF 4 new
MOVEMENT FOR TINE PIECES,
And was seeking a place to erect their
works. They wanted a section of land
near city, and would erect buildings of
great value and give employment to
1000 workmen. Our committee referred
the communication to q subcommittee,
where it either slept the sleep that knows
no waking or traced it to a fountain that
ceased TO issue its impid waters. But
look at the magnifieence of the PROPOSE
ton! A thousand workmen, $40 acres of
land, a factory of same proportions. No
doubt some OF the committee thought
we should have to go to Chicago for such
a piece of land "a park. 1t was wanted
urbs southwark would have been q
costly donation or purchase. Even north
of the north levee it would be a too big
investment or bonus.
l had then just returned from Iowa,
where | had seen several of her best
cities. The points of likeness between
this watch factory and factory of glucose
made and accepted by Des Moines, Iowa,
were so striking that they made lasting
impression upon my mind, and much
more lasting and telling impression upon
that city.
a manufacturing company from the
East discovered in the suburbs of DeS
Moines a lake of water which was
gathered by the rivers overflow. After
settling, it became very suitable for their
manufacture. They made the broad
proposition that if the city would free
them from taxation for ten years they
would put up buildings and machinery
that would cost 81, l,0G0G00 and work 1000
men.
But we had just such lands in just such
locations as the purposes required. The
lands were punctuated by railroad, and
the intervening river was spanned by q
bridge. 1t was north of the American
River in the Norris Grant. 1t is near
enough to be entitled to be called a
suburb, and was suitable for Just such
works. 1t is suitable yet, and just as
near now as then, for this or other suit
able enterprise and is much more practi-
cable than can be presented by almost
any other city, for the lands are not so
high in price or so rich in soil as to be
prohibitory, and yet are quite suitable in
quality.
The authorities did not see how this
could be done, as all property was subject
to taxation according to its value. The
company said that they knew of other
places that presented nearly the same
city accepted the responsibility and the
and the thousand men and factory
were the gain to that city.
Although outside the range of my in
tention in this article, let US look at this
taxation arrangement. Suppose the lake
and adjoining lands were taxed at five
thousand dollars before improved. In