The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-13
THE CLAIMS OF HUMBOLDT.

The people of Humboldt County are de-
handing railroad as result OF the CALI s
suggestion that they ought to have one.
As the developments of Humboldt's Won
derful resources bears vital relation to
the general problem of the development of
California, it is well that some of the
broader aspects of the case be considered
now.
At the start there are clearly two things
that the people OF Humboldt might profit
ably keep IN mind. First, that they them
selves should at the outset do all in their
power TO secure railroad by uniting their
forces, so that either they themselves
might build road to the bay of San Fran
cisco or raise an amount sufficient to in
duce outside aid for the enterprise; second,
they might be wise to indulge at the be-
ginning only those aspirations that pre-
sent the most tangible hope of fulillment.
That Is say, while their own efforts, backed
by those OF other Californians, might Sc
cure to them railroad from Humboldt
Bay to San Francisco, the expenditure of
their energies on gigantic scheme for
transcontinental road might result in their
securing no road at all. That development
is the surest and most wholesome which
comes from the utilization of resources
available and under control.
Although the country is mountainous,
it is fortunate circumstance that all the
streams run northerly at an acute angle to
the coast. After the middle Of Mendocino
County is reached there are no transverse
mountain ranges 70 cross, but generally
easy canyons lying in the line OF traffic.
The great barrier to the progress of the
Southern Pacific southwardly from Santa
Margarita was the transverse mountain
ranges, which make railroad building ex-
tremely expensive. This trouble does not
exist north OF Fort Bragg, in Mendocino
County, and, besides. there is an unlim-
tied supply OF lumber for railroad pur-
poses all along the route.
A few years ago the Southern Pacific
Company was greatly exercised when the
North Pacific Coast Railroad was pushed
northward from Hopland to Ukiah 1t
was the general impression then that the
line would be carried on to tap the SPLEEN
did redwood region lying 10 the north OF
Ukiah, and hence the Southern Pacific
cast about for a route for its main line in
the Sacramento Valley to Humboldt Bay
via the Round Valley Indian Reservation
on Eel River in Northern Mendocino. The
concern of the Southern Pacific was aug
mented by rumors that the Great Northern
intended TO run down through Southeastern
Oregon, cross the Sierra at Beckwith Pass,
and run diagonally across California to
Humboldt Bay, where there is an excellent
harbor. This scheme amounted to nothing.
the San Francisco and North Pacific road
fell into difficulties and stopped perma-
nently at Ukiah, and the Southern Pacific
found no further occasion either for alarm
or for railroad into Humb oldt County.
And yet such railroad would be one of
the most important things that could be
done in developing the State. In all Cali
fornia there is not Just such another aggre-
CATION of resources. The most important
is the magnificent belt of redwood timber,
which has become valuable by reason of
its scarcity elsewhere; and remarkable
thing about the redwood is that though it |
be cut down it will begin at once to repro
duce itself by new shoots from the root. |
Next, there are the highly fertile valleys |
scattered all through the county, covered
the year round with grass for dairy and |
stock uses. Close at hand are the gold |
mines of the Trinity Range. which are
most inadequately worked, and which |
may be regarded merely as indications |
of great mineral wealth in the region
There is every reason why Humboldt |
should have a railroad, and her own pro- |
gressiye people can easily secure one by |
uniting and getting TO work.