The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-12-05
A NEW DEPARTURE.
Santa Fe Railroad Establishes an
Industrial Department.

The management of the Santa Fe
Route, approaching the vast importance
of developing local business enterprises
in the territory traversed by its lines,
has created an industrial department,
In charge of an experienced and com
petent commissioner, whose sole con-
Germ it will be to assist in such devel.
opment by acting as a means of COM
munication between would-be investors
seeking profitable employment OF
capital on the n hand and the
innumerable opportunities for such
investment IN Western territory upon
the other. The third vice-president OF
the Santa Fe has accordingly addressed
a communication on this subject to the
general freight agents of the entire
system, a copy of which communica-
ton we give below. The significance
of this beneicent policy to commu-
mites richer in opportunities than in
capital will at once be apparent, and it
will doubtless meet with hearty CO.
operation everywhere
CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 1896.
MIR. F. c. Gay, G. F. A, Topeka, Kan. !;
Mr.. l.. J. Polk, G. F. A, Galveston,
Tex. Mr.. f. Chambers, G. F. A
Los Angeles, Cal.
GENPLEMEA,-In pursuance with the
policy we have already talked about,
of assisting IN every way we consist
emily a in locating new enterprises
and at the same time fostering indus
tries already 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 Industrial Commissioner, with
headquarters at Chicago.
This deartment will, so far as it
seems compatible with propriety, take
a paternal interest IN the development
OF the towns and territory served by
our company, and it will respond
promptly to all calls for cooperation
in the establishment of factories, loca-
ton of mills and the development of
any and all u that may be
discovered.
1t will endeavor where necessary, to
place produce in touch with markets,
and In a general way it will undertake
to bring about improved conditions all
our system.
1t will not attempt to boom any one
town as against another; In fact, it will
in any way favor blooms, but will
proceed on the theory that a solid,
continuous growth is better than a
boom, and its efforts will be in hat
direction.
1t will not take any financial interest
in proposed industries, as it will have
no money to invest nor cash to o N
tribute.
The industrial department will not
assist in the location of creameries
where there are no cows, nor rolling
in a country without either iron
ore, fuel or coke, nor in any way will
it knowingly lend its support to a
proposition that seems wrong, either
geographically, commercially or Tin
ancially.
Manufactures that consume native
raw materials will be encouraged. For
example, in the corn belt there does
not appear to be any reason why
mills, glucose, syrup, sugar
md starch fectories, it properly man
aged, should not thrive.
These factories should all begin IN a
mail way. The capital invested should
lot all be put into working plants. 1t
money to operate a factory after
t is built, and the primary essential Is
good management. Nothing succeeds
With poor management.
l write you quite at length on this
because it seems very impor-
ant to me that everybody along our
inc ought to know how we feel about
his matter. we want to be in touch
With the people We serve, and we van
hem to know that we appreciate that
.nything we do towards building up
nd %enriching the towns and country
We traverse builds up and enriches this
ompany.
Mr.. Davis will be glad, at any time,
hear from boards of trade, CONNER
ial clubs, farmers alliances or any
rganized bodies, as well as firms and
Individuals, and will make 1t his bus
less to visit and advise with any COM
lunity wishing to establish manufac-
1ries or in any way desiring to i'm
rove their condition. .
Circular announcing Mr.. Davis ap-
ointment will be issued today, and 1
INK it would be well for you to advise
your subordinate officers as to what
e desire to accomplish, in order that :
9 may get the greatest results from
le Industrial department.
Yours truly, 7
(Signcd) PAUL MORTON, j
Third Vice President.