The record-union., 1892-07-18
Fares ana Trelghts.

EDS. RECORD-UNIoN In conversation
few evenings since with a member of u
large mercantile house, the question was
asked of me: "What shall we do to in
crease population and our manufacturing
interests in Sacramento? What do you
think of my plan-it is to get capitalists,
real estate owners and merchants to sub
scribe 10 a fund to pay the taxes (say for
five or ten years. of anyone who will start
a large manufacturing business in S2cra-
mento? You know that the Constitution
of the State prevents the county from re-
mitting the taxes; now this money would
be collected only as it was required"
The reply made was: Il 90 not think
your plan feasible. Why don't your firm,
and such as you, for instance, start manu-
featuring? You have the best chance OF
anyone in disposing of certain goods.
Look around our city. There is num-
Der Of men making boots and shoes from
the sole up; some are making cigars,
others, again, are making -four, coniec-
tionery, saddles, carriages, harness, bread,
paclling-boXeS, coarse clothing, furniture,
horSeshOes, iron utensils, and scores of
other things in daily use. Are they 10
have their taxes paid, or only the new
comers? II SO, the newcomers would
have decidedly big advantage over the
old settlers. No, no, my dear sir; your
plan viii never work.
'San Francisco complains bitterly OF
fares and freights she organizes Traffic
Association with a $4,000 Leeds at its
head. Better put that 10000 year into
a manufacturing plant. She is trying to
reduce railway fares and freights; she
has got one political party to indorse the
plan, and she wants to build an opposi-
ton railroad beside, and a canal, and has
started a fleet of clippers around Cape
Horn. And all for what? TO reduce the
price of goods, or enlarge the margin of
profits? Lower wages and fill up their
thousands of vacant houses, or to build up
the whole State and producing indus
tries?
"Belter double or treble the rates of fares
and freights; then if the piano or car
riage cost a good deal more for railroad
freight, there will be chance to manu-
facture them here. So with organs, furni-
ture, castings, marble mantels, stoves
and all kinds Of heavy goods. You, sir,
if the freights were only higher, could
manufacture largely croquet sets, baby
carriages, bird cages, trunks, and, in
course of time, possibly your carpets,
oil cloths, stove fixtures, show cases and
many other goods now made in but
small way, thus giving employment to
many idle men, women and children.
"This, then, will fill up our vacant
stores, offices and dwellings, and poverty
will be largely decreased. Your and all
large firms on the coast are trying your
level best to get people into the stores
and take the last dollar out of their poCl-
cts for goods necessary to Them, only to
send on to the Last or Europe to buy
more goods, not leaving dollar behind,
except what you must pay out for labor
service, expenses and fares and freights.
''If only a small part OF this money for
all we could make here was spent III CAL
ifornia for manufacturing purposes. then
labor would be better employed and
brighter times would follow. AS for the
railroads their business would not de-
crease; they would have better freights
and many other ways to make up for
any losses. This, then, sir, settles your
manufacturing question.
''NOw for the population. In 1849 men
came from all parts Of the world by the
tens of thousands because they could get
more work and better pay than where
they came from. Assure them again that
there is plenty OF work for all and they
Will come i'll swarms, and production
will thrive to supply them and its sur
plus go to buy things we cannot make.
Again, look at the idle young men and
women, native esons and daughters, all
single. If they were sure Of steady en-
plOymeDJ they would marry and thus
you would have a good OncOming stock
OF native Californians to fill your vacant
houses. So, too, when Uncle Sam wants
TO build another postOffice California
foUndrymen may get tho iron contract
chat they now lose by Eastern COMPETE
tom, even if they are a little higher in
th.ir bids than large manufacturers on
the Atlantic slde." RICHARD DALE.