San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-21

| organized effort. This city had been
Disseminated against in railway
freights, in railway constructions, in
railway excursions from the surround
ing country until the fact was noto-
| rious. Freights, were passing our
doors to other cities paying less charg-
es for longer haul than we were and
our merchants were paying the piper.
You could open the columns of the 10
cal journals Of other cities in the state
and see how the regular excursion
trains at low rates were run for their
benefit, but here it was all the other
way, the special excursions running
from instead of into San Antonio.
This is but fair example of how ev-
cry thing was made to go and moth
ing to come, except the northern eX.
cursions into Mexico, which could
find no other route into that country.
Through the organization of the Bus
mess Mems club and it's efficient
work under Secretary Irvine this con-
ditiOn is changing. San Antonio has
had more in the way of conventions
excursions. special gatherings and all
that would bring strangers into the
city, during the past year than in any
previous year of her history. 1t is not
so much that this is done that is
worthy of note, as that the tide has
turned, people in Texas as well as out
of it are finding out that this is the
very best city in the state to visit for
an outing; that there is more ~ he
seen here. more attractions to the
square inch. more fun and real recre-
alton here than in any other town in
Texas. The sea coast towns have
the glorious old gulf, and that is all
that they have. This influx of stran-
gers into the city opens to us oppor-
tunities for trade that are far reach
ing. These people from the surround
ing towns making the acquaintance
of our merchants find that it Is the
best market in the state in which to
purchase. prices and variety consid-
cred, This has its effect in turning
back to this city the trade that it lost
when railways were run through
Southeastern Texas.
Through this same Business Mems
club organized efforts have been put
forth to have the same freight privi-
leges extended to the shippers of this
city, as is given those cities of our
class in the state outside of San An
tonic, and these efforts are not with
out their effect. Enterprises that are
needed here of every kind are fostered
and encouraged and finally built up.
through the intelligently directed eff
forts of this same organization, until
they are upon a sound footing. The
establishment of the shoe factory
here is alone worth to the city all that
the maintenance of the club has cost
during the year. Already as the re-
suit of the establishment of this in
dustry another has sprung up side by
side with it, and this is but the seed
of others yet to be.
1t is not that so much has been ac-
complished during the year. for 1t has
been one of unusual depression in all
classes of business. but that begin
ming and a. successful one has been
made in the direction of cheaper
freigh+s. home manufacturers. grow
ing gatherings of the people of the
state from time to time to witness
orr progress. make the acquaintance
of our merchants and manufacturers.
compare the advantages offered here
with those presented elsewhere and
thus bring us into competition with
our rivals. If we cannot then hold
our own we will take n back seat.
Other enterprises promising much for
the city are being considered. and in
time will bear fruit. The year has
shown that all that is necessary for
our people to do is to prepare the
way. open the gates to ENTERPRISE. or
ganize to protect our interests. foster
and encourage capital to invest here
by showing home confidence in it, and
the result will be that the most san
guine can reasonably expect.