The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-12
BBEIOIA's PROSPECTS.


Historic Benieia is anxiousIy looking for
ward to share IN the prosperity which
the San Joaquin Valley Railroad IS to
bring 70 all parts Of the state coming with
IN it's influence. The construction Of the
Southern Pacific line from Sacramento to
Oakland via The Straits Of C2rqUineZ, gave
the old Gown Z Itttle lift It has also for
many years done cons5d cradle naanufactur-
ing, and the Government barracks, arsenal
and ordnance works have lent It some in
p0rtance Yet Benicia has not enjoyed
the growth and prosperity 10 which its fav
orable location aud other advantages fairly
entitIe i.
The CALI recognizes that the welfare Of
San Francisco Is intimately connected with
that Of its neighbors. It hopes TO see
Benicia and other towns in that vicinity
enjoy the fullest measure OF that prosper
ity which IS offered by the revival in enter
prise and public spirit now m2nitesting It.
self throughout the State There are
many reasons Why Benicia il particular
should have q large share OF that prosper
ity. Il stands on the north side Of the
straits. through which pour the waters Of
both the river systems Of the great valley
Of California. II has good frontage with
an pie depth Of water. The climate Is
ideal for industrial purposes, neither too
warm IN the summer nor too cold IN win
ter. There IS q good neighboring agricul-
tGyal district. Coal can be obtained from
the Mount Diablo mines on the other side
OF SUisun Bay. All that IS now needed is
cheap transportation, the development Of
is natural advantages and al act Of Con-
gress to make Benicia one OF the most
thriving towns in the State.
The execution Of the plans for the fortif-
cation Of san Francisco and other ports On
this coast viii require the construction OF
several hundred guns OF the largest caliber.
Similar work IS projected for Eastern sea
ports. The resources Of the army gun
foundry At WatervEet, New YORK, are not
nearly equal TO the requirements for arm
ing these forts. The foundry e. Washing
ton IS devoted TO supplying guns for the
navy. That also has all or more than it
can do to get the batteries ready for the
new ships as soon as they are ready for
them. The ships built on this coast are
also armed from that foundry. 1t is slow
work and heavy expense to send J0-ton and
100-ton guns, with their massive carria ges,
across the continent by rail.
4 board Of officers has strongly recon-
mended Benicia as a site for q Pacific
Coast gun foundry. Probably its recon-
mendation would have been accepted and
an appropriation made two or three years
ago, but for the opposition Of the Oregon
and Washington delegations, who wanted
to get the works for their own section Of
the coast. The present arsenal and ord
nance works at Beuicia already form the
nucleus for the proposed foundry, and
every consideration of situation, commu-
nications, coal supply, etc, points to that
place as the proper location for the plant
An appropriation for that purpose would
soon make Benicia hum with industrial
life.
But that would be only one feature Of
the prosperity that should follow. Benicia
is even now the largest leather manu-
featuring town Of the Pacific Coast, and
the quality OF its output is first class. Yet
California last year imported 5000 600
pounds Of leather and 1000 cases CT boots
and shoes. Benicia should have worked
up her own leather instead OF shipping it
East for manufacture.
The largest agricultural implement
works in the State are also located at BENZ
cia. They are now working only about
two-thirds force, while we are annually
importing hundreds of thousands Of dol
lars worth Of such goods. Such facts
indicate one direction which industrial
reform should take.
When Government and private manu-
features begin 10 gather population at
Benicia the newcomers will find one adj
vantage which every intelligent head OF a
family will appreciate: the educational
facilities Of the town, both public and
private, are Of the first order, and will
only need material expansion to meet
the needs of an increased population.
This, com bined with the healthful climate
and beautiful location will be valuable
inducement to work and home seekers.