The record-union., 1893-03-22
THE MANUFACTURING MOVEMENT.

Some six or seven months ago the
movement was inaugurated in this city to
induce the location here of several large
new manufacturing plants by offers of
sites and purses. 1t was received with
considerable caution, but has had care
ful examination, which has grown into a
conviction that such a scheme is good
business policy.
This is based upon the experience of
other cities, over fifty of which are named
that have within the last twenty-five or
thirty years thus encouraged manufact-
uring with entire success, and many of
which have not one-half the natural ad-
vantages that this city enjoys 1t is con-
coded that it is a sensible business propo-
sition to offer bonus for the planting of
Industries. Towns, cities, railroad cor
porations. States and even the nation
have followed such policy in numerous
instances, and as rule the results have
fully justified the means employed.
This seemed to be the unanimous sem
timent at the very large representative
mass meeting OF citizens held on Monday
evening in Sacramento. The spirit of
that meeting was full of encouragement
to all well-wishers OF the city. Indeed, it
became wonderfully enthusiastic meet
ing, and warmed with the fervid heat of
purpose to do more than talk and pass
resolutions. That the enthusiasm may
not cool is earnestly to be hoped.
That there will rise objectors to the
plans foreshadowed by the action taken
is to be expected. Men will be heard ex-
claiming, IF manufacturers wish to come
here with their plants let them come. it's
business for them, and that is enough
But these short-sighted obiectors must be
silenced by the logic of truth; it is not
enough. Scores of instances can be cited
in proof of great successes growing out of
aid given, that without it never could
have gained foothold in the communi-
ties they benefit.
1t is settled outside of debate that Sacra-
mento has notable and strong natural ad-
vantages. Her centrality, the superiority
of the city as a distributing point, the
climatic advantages, the excellence and
wide range of transportation facilities.
the ability to occupy large tracts of ground
without great fixed capital, the great ad-
vantage to operatives in factories of hav-
ing their homes at low rental or cost near
TO the seat of their labor, all combine to
favor the city as a manufacturing center.
Added to these is the prospect of early in
PRODUCTION of cheap motive power.
Nevertheless, with all these and other
advantages, it is necessary here, as it has
been elsewhere, to bid by guaranteed aid
10 supplement our natural invitation so
greatly that others will not be able to
compete with us. We know personally
of half dozen towns in three Western
States that have followed such policy
and profted by it royalty.
Sacramento's present manufactories-
winch are bS iO Aiicetho SillaAl-WlI1 not
only not be injured, but be greatly as
aisted by the new policy, for but one OF the
proposed industries to be invited are in
line with any mandatory we now have.
The thing to do now is to see to it that
enthusiasm on the subject does not flag.
1t is not necessary to keep it up by in
Aammatory process; on the contrary cool
reason, hard facts forcibly presented, the
argument of the dollar and the cent, the
proof of what has been done and the
recitation of local advantages indicating
what may be done-these ought to be
aufficient to keep the people fully and
enthusiastically awake to their oppor-
tunity and their duty.
It's simple case of investment that
business experience indorses as wise and
safe. 1t is not to be done, however, in a
moment; it will take time to carrysout
this scheme; it must embrace three OF
four new industries in the first effort
and as soon as they are planted, three OF
four others. When so many as that have
been established others will come upon
very slight invitation, for in manufact.