The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-02
OUR EXCHANGES.


In condensed and interesting descrip
tlon OF the Escondido country, recently
issued as supplement by the Escondldo
Times, the claim is made that the district
mas the cheapest water supply for irriga-
ton purposes in the State, and that II the
average well-inforned citizen of San Diego
were asked what he considered the most
prosperous and progressive locality tribu-
tary to that city he would reply that
Escondldo Valley and city are in the lead
at present Whether these claims can be
lustlneo In literal exactness may be ques-
toned. There are other irrigation districts
IN California where water is cheap and
abundant and other sections around San
Diego where the people are prosperous
and progressive. Whatever may be
thought of the superlative claim, how
ever, 1t is certain that Escondido has many
advantages to rejoice in and has done much
IN the way of development to be proud of.
Even casual glance at the illustrations in
the supplement of the Times reveals that
much, and careful reading OF the text
confirms it. Such publications as this
should be widely circulated in the Eastern
States. They help to educate the people
OF the East in true knowledge of Cali
fornia conditions and, therefore, cannot
fail to be influential in turning the tide of
emigration this way and bringing to our
State that increase of intelligent and in
dustrlous settlers that alone are needed to
make even its so-called deserts blossom
like rose.
Some of the progressive ranchers of
Santa Barbara County who believe in a
diversified rural industry have been max
ing experiments in the cultivation of sugar
beets, and according to the Guadalupe
Reporter the results have been sufficiently
good to justify the establishment of a
sugar factory there. In Santa Maria Val
ley the beets were not only prolific, but
were very rich in saccharine matter and
promise big profits to the growers. The
Reporter asserts that if enough land is
guaranteed for the exclusive cultivation of
sugar beets mandatory would be built
and put into operation at Guadalupe in
side OF year. 1t is, therefore, urging the
ranchers to sign a beet planting pledge
conditional on the beginning of the fac
tory, and is prosecuting the enterprise
with such vigor and cogency of argument
that success seems certain, and we may
almost count it as another new industry
in sight.
The Palo Alto Times records with justi-
fable satisfaction the organization of
Progressive League" in that town, to pro-
mote plans for efficient local government,
to improve and beautify highways and
public grounds and to advance public
health, safety and happiness. Associa-
tons of this kind have been formed in
many rural towns in the East and in not
few towns in California. Some have done
much good, some have done indifferentIy
well and some have done nothing. The
league in Palo Alto has an excellent field
for work. The town has exceptional adj
vantages. 1t is too young to have any old
habitual evils to deal with, and therefore
will not have to fight against any stagnant
conservatism that prefers the old way.
The population is almost exclusively made
up of families of intelligence and culture.
1t is near enough to San Francisco to catch
the metropolitan spirit and near enough to
Stanford University to be infused with
classic culture. Palo Alto ought certainly,
therefore, to become one of the show places
of the Pacific Coast, and the organization
of the Progressive League manifests de-
termination on the part Of the people to
make it SO.
An able contribution to the discussion of
the effect of hydraulic mining on our rivers
and valleys, which appeared last week in
the Ell Dorado Republican, gives clear and
comprehensive view OF the silt problem as
it appears to the miners. According to
this view the silt carried down from the
mountains by natures own forces is vastly
greater in quantity than the debris of the
mines. In fact, all the fertile soil of the
valley was carried down from the deep cut
canyons of the mountains long before
mining began. Whatever disturbs the soil
of the mountain slopes leaves more or less
material for the waters to carry down, and
the law might as well stop farmers and all
other settlers and workers on the slopes as
to stop miners.
The right solution ofthe problem, accord
ing to the Republican, is to divert the
debris and silt from the hills into the tule-
beds and other low lands of the valley, and
by thus raising their level make them safe,
habitable and fit for cultivation. To ade-
quately fill the low lands will, of course,
require extensive operations under the
direction of the Government, and the State
and the Nation will have to cooperate in
the work; but, as the Republican well says,
''the tule-beds alone when filled with sedi-
ment will repay the people for the work
expended, and the Coxey armies of the
country are more proftably employed in
such work than when we support them in
idleness and crime.n
PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT.