The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-04-14
NATURAL ADVANTAGES; MANU-
FACTORIES AND LOCAL TRADE.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES; MANU-
FACTORIES AND LOCAL TRADE.
The Stockton Mail, referring to sacra-
mento's Factory Inducement' move
ment, says that factories can exist only
upon the basis of natural conditions.
That is truism no one will undertake
to deny. If there were no better reasons
for the promotion of factories here than
free sites and subsidies, the manu-
facturer would be a fool who would locate
here.
But natural advantages, like the re-
sources of a country, often lie dormant,
and often need stimulation for their de-
velopment. Incidental conditions, as for
instance, local taxation, often handicap
natural conditions, and the obstacle to de-
velopment has to be removed or offset by
inducement Hence it is that in many a
place factories have been exempted for
series of years from local taxation-the
law prohibits such procedure here.
Chicago is wonderful example of what
stimulation will do. A half dozen other
places near Chicago were better adapted
than was Chicago for the building of a
great city. But large vested interests APP
piled stimulants, and the Chicago of to-
day is the result.
Again, the idea is expressed that man.
ufactories would not be largely successful
because there is not now a very large local
trade. Elgin, H., is refutation of that
idea, by its experience. Michigan City,
Ind, is another example. st. Charles is
the latest example. The truth IS, that
great manufactures are not, as a rule, in
great cities-they seek smaller cities for
economy. 1t follows that local trade is
not chief factor.
Again, California manufacturers denv
emphatically that large local trade is an es-
sential. On this head they are of one mind
and replies on that point are uniform.
Manufacturers in Sacramento will COM
mand precisely the State and coast trade
from this point that they would from the
most favored in the State, and in some
directions they would have superior adj
vantages. Centrally of location, supe-
rior transportation facilities by water
and by rail, climatic advantages, econ
omy of conduct of business, etc., are
levers in Sacramento's favor that are of
first importance.
But we are told by some that the better
thing to do is to induce by aid the intro
duction of cheap motive power, and that
that once done it will alone prove suffi-
cient attraction for manufacturers. There
is an element of truth in this, but it is
also true that the establishment of manu-
factories, or the assurance that they will
be established, will prove the most pow
erful incentive for the introduction of
cheap motive power, and as matter of
fact two companies are already preparing
TO introduce such power, originated by
mountain water power, and one has gone
80 far as to make very heavy investment
TO that end and has already supplied the
State with its quota of electrical power at
the branch prison. only twenty-five miles
distant from this city, and has given the
low prices at which it will furnish power
20 factories that may locate in this CITY as
an inducement to encourage such loca-
ton.
In the light of the experience of other
cities and towns; in the Judgment of ex-
perienced manufacturers; in the face of
the known and undeniable natural adj
vantages of Saeramento; with the knowl-
edge of its superior transportation facili-
ties by water and by rail; in considera-
ton of the central location of this market
and the immense trade area which it al
ready supplies-in the light of all these
things, and other commercial facts. the
judgment is sound that Sacramento is an
ideal point for manufacturing needs of
trade in number of lines, without dan
ger of being crushed by Eastern rivalry.
But, as matter of course. Sacramento
is not going to aid any manufacturer to
locate here except he is backed by large
capital, an assured trade, and the output
OF products of standard character. For.
fortunately for this city, its natural con-
ditions are such, and the supplemental
condition of cheap motive power is so
well assured, that we need not be and
are not supplicants, but will be choosers.