The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-12-20
THE WASHINGTON PROJECT.
An Address on the Subject of An
neXation.
The Matter Discussed Before the
Council of Federated Trades
Last Night.

terested in the project of the proposed an
nexation Of that town, appeared before
the Council for the purpose of explaining
the reasons that actuate the promoters
thereof
Remarks were made by C. w. Reed of
Yolo and Frank Miller, David Lubin, +.
p. Figg and others of this city. These
gentlemen replied to certain statements
that had been made to the effect that it
was proposed to remove the bridge down
to Y street, fill up the town with cheap
Chinese labor, etc, all of which, they
said, were without the slightest founda-
ton.
AT the close of the discussion it was de-
cided to hold another meeting on next
Monday night, at which some of those
who oppose the proposed annexation
shall be allowed an opportunity to pre-
sent their views.
The following address, signed by the
Executive Committee of the Annexation
Association, was read:
To the Citizens Of Sacramento. city and
County, and Of Washington, I0tO county: The
industrial and commercial progress of a local
ity Is governed not so mLcn by its natural
advantages as by the amount and quality OF
the energy OF It's citizens. Cotton Is raised IN
the South, but IL Is converted into textile tab
rcs In the East. The best iron is mined III Nor
way, but the best cutlery is made in Sheffield.
No special reason, other than the above. can
be given why NuremDurg should be Inc local
lily for the manufacture OF toys or that Cross
& Blackwell should can Portuguese spanish
and Italian fruits and vegetables in London.
Granting the truth OF the above statement,
We may ask what the quality and quantity OF
energy OF the citizens OF this city has done
towards the commercial and industrial pro-
greSs Of Sacramento?
We're Il stranger to answer this question he
would be likely to say, "Nery little, if any
thing. The railroad company has done ana
does do onehalf, and the farmers do tie other
half toward making sacramento possible
city; and the citizens simply vegetate on what
is before them"
Justly speaking however the stranger
quoted above should not forget that already
Sacramento has accomplished much; that by
She efforts Of her citizens she ranks among
the most prosperous cities OF the coast.
However, Sacramento should nave the larg-
est fruit and vegetable canning establishment
in the State, but Oakland, San Francisco and
san Jose appear to have u longer reach
Western cities, possessing sense and energy,
advertise free sites and other inducements Tor
factories, but in this respect we are behind The
times, and some OF our ciJizens 90 no further
than willingness to take high price for an
undesirable lot.
We are aware these twenty years that our
city tax rate was a Stumbling-DlCck in the
way OF new enterprises, but little was done to
cOunteract It, and as q result dozens OF enter
prises that might have been here are at Feta-
luna, Oakland, Benicia, stockton, San Fran
cisco, san Jose and other places.
The only enterprise of note started in our
midst in recent years was the establishment
OF the electrician lines, and in tine sale OF
town lots in the southeastern part of the city.
The electrician lines We're IN the order OF
progress, but the boom OF town lots in the
southeastern part OF the city is Questionable
benefit.
A resident moving from Eighth street O Cak
Park is no increase TO the population but
means an empty house at reduced rent on
Eighth street. Continue this system long
enough and decline in rents must come.
That it is not felt very much yet is chiefly
because the railroad shops employ at present
large number OF hands, even then continue
the southeast booming process and the time
must come when rhe decline in rents will
follow and become permanent, and with the
decline in rents viii come the decline in
value. Decline in one locality Will cause de-
probation in other localities, and in this
decline the poor mans cottage will be the first
to suffer in loss and in relative value.
Building new dwellings and shifting ten
ants is progress when new industries demand
itbut if done without good commercial reason
it is the beginning OF a series OF evils which
ultimate suffering and loss can only Tectiiy.
All this changes when new and profitable
enterprises are established, for then tenants
may change locations IN any direction with
out causing decline.
The enterprises may be in the northern
and the residents in the southern part of the
city, but the general value will be firm.
WHAT should be avoided therefore is the
booming of suburban town lots until such IL
TIME Lne industries are mere 10 Justify L,
How are we to get the industries? We
should endeaVor TO get them by greater in
ducements than are offered elsewhere, and
these are: First, low taxation. Second
free factory sites. Third, by the purchase Of
II reasonable quantity ofshares OF stock.
II we are not willing to offer inducements
other locations are, and unless we change our
policy, other localities Will continue to grow
at the expense OF our neglect, and our city as
in the past VIII be left out OF the race.
Assuming that we are willing to give in
nnppmpnTG q ~ MI.
ing free factory Sites where shall these sites be
situated? To avoid the high city tax rate, and
to be able TO offer free blocks OF land, to be of
benefit TO the city, they should be close to the
city's boundary line, and for this but two To-
caities offer themselves; one is east Of the
city, and the other is at Washington.
1t may be seriously questioned whether any
manufacturing enterprise can be made pront-
able beyond Ihirty-hrst street. The excessive
cost tor drayage and high cost OF trunsporta-
ton TO and from the proposed site would emf
quite figure in the cost Of raw and MANN
featured material, besides which the distance
TO the postothce, express and freight sheds,
would be u serious hinderance in the way OF
low expense rate, and for the expecting OF
business.
In addition, n factory beyond Thirty-frst
street would make it necessary to nave a
salesrOom down town. and this saIeSroorn
would tend 10 divide the energy of the man
aging and working torce. besides entailing an
expense for an extra salesman. Office boy
porter. rent, insurance, taxes, and other Incl
dental expenses, all of which would probably
tend to render the enterprise a failure.
Washington oilers all the advantages re
quired, and overcomes almost ali the objec-
tons spoken OF.
The river front of Washington offers the
lowest transportation rates GA raw and man
ufactured materials obtainabe with a mini
mum drayage rate.
1t offers county tax rates, and is from six TO
ten minutes walk TO the freight sheds and to
tine business quarters, doing away VITA the
necessity OF a Saesroom down town. - and if
a factory can be made profitable in or adj
adjoining Sacramento at all, Washington is
the place
The objection that Washington is in Yolo
County may be readily overcome by its an
neXation 10 Sacramento County, ana this can
be done, for the citizens of Woodland offer no
objection.
Sacramento City should not oppose anneya-
ton, for it oilers the only possible means tor
the establishment Of industries here whose
presence would give employment to wage
earners and tend to increase the value OF real
estate, and thus help lower the tax rate
Sacramento County should not object to an
nexatiOn. for the establishment OF mills and
factories would tend 10 lower the county tax
rate, and such enterprises as canneries paper
mills, or tanneries would tend TO give pro-
ducers a home market for raw materials.
Washington should not object TO annexa-
ton, for the enterprises once under way the
real estate values would increase very much,
Tor clearinghouse, stores and dwellings will
follow factories.
If annexation 10 desired, the preliminary
work should be done without loss OF time IN
order that a bill for that purpose be intro
es>snaaSsaeARsAaeSs
Price " Worth a Guinea a Box" i 26c.