The record-union., 1892-08-24
CRoss-CoUNTRY RAILWAYS.

Inere was held at M onterey lew days
ago significant and a gratifying meet
ing. There came together at that point
many representative people from along
line drawn from Monterey Bay due east
to Fresno, and the purpose of their meet
ing was to project the building of rail-
way across country from Fresno to the
ocean at Monterey. An excellent spirit
dominated and the Judgment that this
cross line of rail ought to be built was
unanimous.
Such a road will give to the central San
Joaquin Valley an ocean outlet by the
most direct route and make the whole
valley independent of San Francisco. 1t
will practically pick Fresno up and move
It seward as far in distance as five hours
of average travel by rail will measure.
An engineer reported to the meeting
that safe harbor could be assured at
Monterey, though details were not given
at that time. But it should have been
added that the bay of Monterey will
make the railways touch at Monterey
through point, and this will give it great
commercial importance in its relation to
the San Joaquin Valley, fact that is of
the highest importance to the people of
many producing regions of the State.
We have long foreseen that sooner or
later interior demands must break
through coast-range barriers that now pre-
vent the people from reaching the ocean
by direct routes. The Southern Pacific
people ought to favor this cross-country
road from Fresno to Monterey for the
simplest of reasons-they own over 1000
acres of land at Monterey; they own that
splendid property the Hotel del Monte.
and that other fine property, Pacific
Grove; the values of each will be i'm
mensely enhanced by the cross-country
road. In the valley of the Carmel they
own many thousands of acres also. Now,
to create port at Monterey, which is
feasible, will make all these acres owned
by the Southern Pacific folk worth s., OOO,-
600 more than they are in the undeyeloped
state.
However looked at, this proposed line
of rail promises well and should be en-
couraged. 1t will be an excellent thing
for the great valley whence it is to spring;
it will be beneficence to Monterey and
every interest related to it. It will
stimulate the idea OF a good harbor at
Monterey into reality, and behind that
lie very glowing possibilities. 1t will
build up speedily section that has not
and will bring into commercial relation
with the world and develop region that
has been laggard in growth.
4 line of road from Bakersfield to San
Luis Obispo and Port Hartford would
make San Luis through point also, and
give it great importance, while opening
the gates of the mountains to the whole
lower section of the San Joaquin Valley,
and bringing it into direct touch with the
ocean and a port that can receive and
distribute supplies and deport products.
Bluff to Eureka would give to the Sacra-
mento Valley an ocean outlet quite indie
pendent of San Francisco. Since the
Government has made all the needed APP
preparations for the permanent establish
ment of deep water at the entrance to
Humboldt Bay. that fine body of brine
will now become a safe harbor, easy of
entry and full of high commercial posi-
bilities. A road to it from the upper Sac
ramento Valley, piercing the coast
mountains, will be of infinite benefit to
each terminal, and to all the intermediate
sections of country now so little devel-
oped, but so rich In natural resources.
These projected cross-country roads
from the hot valleys to the ocean direct
have had the cordial Endorsement of the
San Francisco press. This is very graft
tying; it is broad and generous, and in
dicatiye of most commendable public
spirit on the part of the metropolis. 1t
speaks of the better vision of the metro
politan press, clearer insight into these
State commercial problems, and high
and exalted sense of duty. We therefore
note this attitude of the press with great
deal of favor. Il leads as TO entertain the