The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-25

than thew are from Liverpool to San Fran
cisco. and that this region has developed
at all under these conditions Is proof OF its
superior soil and climatic conditions for
the culture OF vegetable and root products.
Concerning the tribute OF traffic from the
dairying interests along forty miles of this
line, l am unable TO offer statistics Off
hand. At present portion OF this trade is
done by rail from this place, a portion by
the ocean steamers, and from San MateO
County there is regular line OF freight
teams that haul to San Francisco overland,
but every pound should be carried by a
railway.
These are only hints of some OF the most
conspicuous possibilities of freight for
railroad line through a section where lum-
bering, mining, farming and frult-growing
are all awaiting transportation and where
the only competition possible is the mus
tang and the raging main. The possibli-
ties for the development of pleasure travel
are simply limitless. The most attractive
beaches on. the California coast would he
within an hours ride of San Francisco, and
the beauties of mountain, brook and beach
for fifty miles of shore line are beyond anv
adequate portrayal by the pen.
Our 'fair city by the sea, with its finest
bathing beach and most equable climate
in the world, is not unknown TO fame but
it has by no means reached the limit OF its
development. 1t doubled its population
and trebled it's wealth in the decade from
1888 to 1898, and with coast road would
be only two hours distant from San Fran
cisco, affording suburban attractions un-
equaled by any locality on the Atlantic
coast.
The project and it's suggestive possibii-
| ties are not new or original. Twenty years
ago it was seriously considered and twice
in the past actual operations have been
| commenced. Its contamination was
thwarted by influences it is not necessary
| to name, but the fact that the scheme was
| considered feasible and inviting then. when
the resources of the section were less de-
velOped and the cost of construction in
cOmparably greater, renders the prospect
much more promising and definite now.
when the traffic to offer is more, the rate
of interest less, and the price of labor and
material cheaper by half.
Even this random, sketchy glance at
some of the obvious business and benefits
that lie within the scope of an ocean shore
line, would be incomplete without refer
ence to the financial aspect of the under
taking.
The narrow-gauge road between this
city and San Francisco was one of the
costliest stretches of railroad to construct
that was ever built in this country. Ii
was built and equipped at a time when
labor and material were both dear as COM
pared with present prices. Its actual cost
than fifty thousand dollars mile, distrib-
uting its cost by mileage. For the first
fifty miles of the line it was in direct COM
petition with the Southern Pacific for all
its business, and only enjoyed monopoly
for thirty miles over the mountains.
This road after being in operation long
enough to demonstrate what it could do,
was sold for So, 600, 600 and has since paid s
per cent interest on bonds to that amount,
sum representing an investment OF
$75, 900 per mile.
The road up the coast to-day can be built,
providing the right of way is conceded, for
one-third the capitalization per mile of the
narrowgauge road, and would command
without competition 40 per cent more traffic
at the outset than awaited the narrow gauge
upon its completion.
We see it stated that eastern capital is
looking this way" If so its vision ought
to be directed to the margin of the Pacific;
but there is enough boarded gold in the
vaults of San Francisco that is non-produc-
ing at the present time to build and equip
this railroad, and every dollar so expended
would be doubled in three years.
Let the CALL sound the slogan, and
capital will certainly be reused from its
slumber. ARTHUR A. TAYLOR.
SANTA CRUZ, March 10, 1895.