The Wichita daily eagle., 1896-12-01
SANTA FI'S NEW DEPARTURE
Department Created to Promote Local
Business Enterprises.

Chicago, Nov. 30.-The anagement OF
the Santa Fe Route, appreciating the
vast Importance of developing local bus
iness enterprises in the territory travers-
ed by It's lines, has created an industrial
department, in charge of an experience
ed and competent commissioner, whose
sole concern it will be TO assist in sucn
development by acting as means OF
communication between would-be inves-
tors seeking profita bic employment OF
capital On the one hand and ;he innumer-
abe opportunities for sucn investment
IN western territory upon the other. The
third vice-Dres.dent OF the Santa Fe has
accordingly addressed a communication
eli the subject 10 the general freight
agents of the entire system. copy of
which communication we give below.
The significance of this beneficent policy
to communities richer in opportunity
than IN capital will at once be apparent
and it viii doubtless meet with hearty
cooperation everywhere.
Chicago, Nov. 20, 1896.
Mr.. T. c. Gay, G.. F. A, Topeka, Kan
MIR. L. j. Polk. G. F. A, Galveston, Tex.
Mr.. E. Chambers, G. F. A., Los Angeles,
Cal:
Gentlemen:-In pursuance with the
policy we have already talked about, OF
assisting in every way we consistently
can in locating new enterprises and at
the same time fostering industries alrea-
dy located on our line of road, we have
established an Industrial Department.
Mr.. Jas. A. Davis has been placed IN
charge of this department with the title
of Industrial Commissioner, with head
quarters in Chicago.
This department will so far as it seems
compatible with propriety. take a pater-
nal interest in the development of~the
nd
pany, and il will respond promptly to
ali calls for cooperation in the estab-
iishment of factories, location Of mills
and the development of any and all re-
sources that may be discovered
IL will endeaver, where 2ecessary, to
place produce in touch with markets,
and in general way it will undertake
TO bring about improved conditions all
over our system.
1t will not attempt to boom any one
town as against another; in fact, il will
not in any way favor booms. but will
proceed on the theory that a solid. con-
tinuous growth is better than a boom,
and its efforts will be in that direction.
1t will not take any financial interest
in proposed industries, as ii Will have
no money to invest nor cash to contrib
ute.
The Industrial Department will not
assist in the location of creameries where
there are no cows. nor rolling mills in
country without either iron or ore, fuel
or coke, nor in any way will it knowing
ly lend its support TO proposition that
seems wrong. either geographically, COM
mercially or financially.
Manufactures that consume native
raw materials will be encouraged. For
example, in the corn belt there does not
appear to be any reason why hominY
mills, glucose, syrup, sugar and starch
factories. il properly managed, should
not thrive.
These factories should all begin in.
small way. The capital invested should
not all be put into working plants I.
takes money to operate factory after
il is built, and the primary essential il
good management. Nothing succeeds
with poor management.
/ write you quite at length on this
subject, because it seems very important
10 me that everybody along our lire
ought TO know how we feel about this
matter, We want 10 be in touch with
the people We serve, and we want them
10 know that We appreciate that any
thing We do towards building up and
enTiching the towns and country we trav
erse builds UP and enriches this COM
pany.
Mr.. Davis viii be glad. at any time to
hear from boards CT trade. commercial
clubs, Farmers alliances or any organ,
ized bodies. as well as firms and individ-
uals. and viii make il his business 10
visit and advise with any community
wishing 10 establish manufactures or
in any way desiring 10 improve their con
dition.
Circular announcing Mr.. Davis ap-
pointnent wiz be issued today. and 1
lhink it wouid be well Cor You 20 advise
AL your subordinate officers as 20 what
We desire 10 accomplish, in order tha:
ws may get the greatest results from
the Industrial Department. Yours truly,
tSisned) PAUL MORTON.
Third VICE President