The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-04-26
SAN JOAQUIN WAKING UP.

The people OF the San Joaquin Valley
appear to be waking up to the fact that the
problem of prosperity can be solved by
cheap transportation. Movements, which
have been duly chronicled from time to
time in THE CALL, are on foot for the con-
strdctiOn of a competing railroad line along
the valley from Bakersfield 10 Stockton,
and of canal, which, shall carry heavy
freight from the southern extremity of the
valley to navigable water on the north.
The cost of the canal has been estimated at
$3.50, COO. and that of the railroad at SIS, go
mile, or Sj.773 294 for the $40 miles. In
comparison with the benefits which the
valley would derive from the opening of
these new avenues of transportation the
cost seems trifling.
1t is observed that the valley papers ex-
pect San Francisco to put uD the greater
part OF the funds fer these enterprises as
there would be money in them our rich men
would probably invest whenever the
schemes were laid before them in a tangi-
bic shape. But the valley is not populated
by paupers. Rich men, very rich men, are
TO be-tPund in every county from San
Joaquin to Kern; they ought, and doubt
less will, take stock in the enterprise.
On general principles no one needs to be
told that the development of the valley
would be beneficial to the city. But when
man is asked to subscribe fifty OF a hun
dred thousand dollars for that development
he wants to know how soon lie may begin
to expect some of his money back. That is
the Information which the valley people
should supply. They should experience no
difficulty in preparing business-like state
ment OF the present product of the valley
without eXagGeratiOn and without rhetoric
and TO this they should append an accurate
record Of the new area which would be
brought under cultivation by the railroad
and canal which they propose. These
statistics should be gathered by some one
whose word will be taken, and should be
put together in a clear, common-sense
shape. Show rich men that coin invested
in the San Joaquin enterprises will not
only help TO build up this city but will
yield a good dividend on the investment,
and the paltry sum which is needed Will be
raised easily enough in due time.
What the wheat interest of the valley re-
quires is canal, because canal can carry
bulky freight far cheaper than railroad.
The proportion of the Chicago wheat which
reaches New York by the four trunk rail-
road lines is nfinitesimal in proportion to
thAN - 'lASAl BUGS ANl W dAu ny IN hC anu Cdudt
II has been said that if the Ere canal was
blockaded for a few weeks during the season
New York City would endure famine until
wheat came in from Philadelphia and Bal
timOre. However this may be if ever the
San joaquin Valley gets canal on which
wheatbuats can be towed to tidewater the
great bulk of that staple will go forward by
water, and the canal will make the rate for
that portion Of the crop. which the railroads
have 20 take in preference to hauling empty
cars.
AS to the proposed new road its projectors
have the experience of the Southern Pacific
to guide them. Ii that line had TO be built
to-day it would deviate in many places from
the line it now pursues. new line can run
its surveys where the Southern Pacific ought
to have run theirs. A new line, again, can
open new country which the present line
does not tap. There is room in the San
Joaquin Valley for three north and south
lines. They should as nearly as possible be
thirty miles apart. A railroad can hardly
| expect to draw traffic in bulky materials like
wheat from points further than fifteen miles
from its line. The Kansas farmer often
spends the bulk Of the value of his wheat
and corn in hauling it to a railroad. But
within a range of thirty miles road run
ming through a level and fertile country can
always count on building up business in a
| few years.