The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-01-20
THE COUNTY RAILROADS
ENDORSED BY THE INTERIOR.

| In the opinion of THE HERALD the recent
convention of the delegates from Fresno and
Los Angeles held at he chamber OF commerce
in this city, acted wisely IN endorsing the
Mathews amendment providing for state
trunk line and the building OF connecting
county railways, as the solution OF the valley
railroad problem.
And THE HERALD is not alone in this belief.
AS rule the action OF the convention is COM
mended and the Mathews country railroad
| bi endorsed by the most influential of the
| state newspapers. One OF these is the Bakers
! field Democrat, and this is what it has to say
on the subject:
1.-THE business men of this city and vicinity
| should take some action at an early date in
the matter of giving some encouragement TO
| the proposed railroad from Los Angeles up
| through the San joaquin valley, Every other
town north of the Tehachepi mountains that
| is 10 be benefited by the new railroad Is al
ready taking steps to assist the new road, and
| Bakersfield sh ould not be behind her sister
| towns.
"viewed from the south we stand in the
| gateway of the San Joaquin valley. In such
position we are bound to reap a greater bene-
| fit from the new road than any other town in
the valley, for necessity will compel every rail-
road that builds down the valley to make this
inducement in itself. for the amount OF money
that would be paid ont to employees every
month would b felt in a substantial manner
| by the business intere of the community.
There can be no question as to the need OF
competing railroad or the benefit it would
| confer upon Kern county. The question OF ex-
cessive transportation charges is the most i'm
portaut one that local merchants and fruit men
have to deal with 1t is the principal item OF
| H.. and
the one upon which depends the continuance
OF those industries we have at present and the
existence of those that ght be developed.
The need of another railroad has long been felt
by everyone in the valley, and by none more
than the citizens OF Bakersfield. We occupy
central position between San Francisco and
Los Angeles and are compelled to pay what
ever railroad charges forced upon us.
"Wkat do the citizens of this count pro-
pose to do toward relieving themselves of the
burdens of the extortionate railroad charges
they have been complaining against for years?
! Will they sit idly by and see their only chance
| for relief slip away from them? Will they let
| Indifference rob them OF the chance OF aug
| menting their business, increasing the value
of our lands and drawing TO us desirable
class of settlers, that is now Kept away or d.
verified to other places? We think not. We do
not believe citizens are so blind to their
every interest as to refuse or neglect TO lend
encouragement to a competing railroad 1t
must come sooner or later, and now is the
time for it, when public sentiment through.
out the stat, is so thoroughly aroused on the
subject. The railroad must be built because it
Is necessity, but we do not think the bust
ness men of the valley are prepared to do it
themselves. The best and most desirable plan
is embodied in the provisions OF the .Mathe VS.
county railroad bill, which we published last
week and which originally appeared in the
Los Angeles HERALD.
ut will so amend the existing laws as to per-
nit each county to construct railroad within
| its boundaries. voting regular 40-year per
| cent bonds for that purpose. The plan is sim.
| pie feasible and must prove eminently salts
| factory to every taxpayer, for he would nave a
| direct interest in the road, and the assurance
| that he would not have to give one-f burth of
| his crop tc have the remainder carried to
| market.
"tis unnecessary to state why we should
| have another railroad. We must have it and
we can best obtain it by the aid of the Mat
| thews bill. That is measure that should
| become a law for we believe the sentiment OF
| the people demands it. The leading towns in
| the valley have declared in favor OF it and
Bakersfield should not longer decay action
| We should have public meeting to ascertain
what we can do or will do. Let the public
| spirited citizens call such meeting, that we
NAV place ourselves on record at least as
giving verbal encouragement to u competing
| line"
Ono of the Pleasing things-pleasing to
southern California-in all this discussion, is
the manner in which the state press generally
| south of Monterey county and sometimes
above it, speak approvingly of the project for
a closer commercial fraternity between Los
Angeles and the valley counties, as for in
stance the Hanford Democrat, which says
several OF our citizens favor the idea of
transporting the Kings county exhibit
now in the state board of trade rooms at Sa 4
| Francisco to Los Angeles. The exhibit is now
the property of the county, and the board of
supervisors has charge OF it to do as it pleases
| with the exhibit and it cannot be removed
| without its consent. 1t is urged that the ex-
| hibit as now placed is not attracting the atten-
ton of eastern visitors it would If placed
! where those east .rn men most do congregate.
| tits true that there are more eastern peod le
continuously Mt Los Angeles than there are at
| San Francisco and our county would attract
some of that immigration ii our exhibit were
placed where they could see it. 1t is a matter
! worthy OF consideration by the board OF super
J yisors and the business community in gen.
|
eral"
Quoting again from the Bakersield Demo-
crat THE HERALD is warned against calling a
spade by its monosylabic title. But the
chances are that both the Dem lcrat and THE
HERALD will keep right on with the plain talk
in spite OF all. Says the former:
"The Los Angeles HERALD, with an utter dis
regard for the fearful consequences, has been
SO foolish as call the Bakersfield Califo nian
80 railroad organ" Our southern contem nor
airy knows not what it does. 1t will now prob
ably be slapped real hard and Gale a yawp.'
which is l)cul contemporaries fayorite
name for any person, place or thing that does
not wear u railroad collar"
2i,-- ~ vonsts'' Osath.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l9.--The death OF Miss
Mary stevenson, daughter OF the vice pres.
dent was feelingly referred 10 in the psayer OF
the chaplain of the senate at the opening OF
the session today.