The San Francisco call., 1896-10-06
THE FRESNO CELEBRATION.

The people OF Fresno have rightly made
the opening of the line of the Valley Rail
road to their city the occasion OF formal
ceremony of public rejoicing. 1t is an
event which marks the beginning OF q
new epoch in the history of their city and
of the great valley in which it is situated.
Competition is never more truly the life
of trade than when it causes reduction
in transportation rates, and in this in
stance it is doublv beneficial, inasmuch as
it has broken down one of the most crush
ing monopolies tnat ever held an Amer
ican community within its grasp.
In her celebration Fresno has the SYM
pathy and congratulations of all Califor-
mia. Every portion OF the State has suf-
fered more or less from the blight of the
Southern Pacific domination and monop-
oily, and all see in the emancipation of the
San Joaquin an augury and promise of a
coming emancipation for themselves.
Certainly San Francisco can look with
eager expectation for release from the
bonds which have bound her energies and
hampered her trade. The rapid advance
which took place in Los Angeles after the
completion of a competing line which
gave better transportation rates to her
merchants and to the producers in the
region round about her will be repeated
here when like advantages are obtained.
These facts are recognized everywhere,
and as a consequence the celebration at
Fresno is regarded not merely as gratiti-
cation over things accomplished. but as a
rejoicing in the prospect of greater things
to come.
While much Of credit and praise Is due
to many men for the successful accom-
plishment of the line which carries pros
perity to all the region. of country between
Stockton and Fresno. the people of Cali
fornia will not forget that the success is
mainly due TO one man-Claus Spreckels.
At the time when the long projected plan
10 construct a competing line down the
San Joaquin was about to be abandoned
he came forward to save it. His very
name gave confidence to the public and
his personal influence was an inspiration to
enterprise. He did not content himself
with that. His wealth, his time, his en-
ergy and his sagacity were given to the
work freely and without stint. He made
the prompt beginning and swift construc-
ton of the road possible, and it is not too
much to say that it stands to-day an evil
dence of his public spirited industry and
his regard for the welfare of the State.
The road was designed, constructed and
will be operated as a business PROPOSE
ton. Like all the great industries con-
Quoted or promoted in this State by Mr..
Spreckels, its aim is the increase of wealth
and the advancement of the material
prosperity of California. 1t has already
effected a vast gain for the people of the
San Joaquin. 1t has carried a profit to
every shipper in the valley, and will con-
tinue to yield profits to them, as well as
to the stockholders. Lower freight rates
means more money for farm crops and
cheaper prices Tor all goods brought into
the valley. This implies an ability to
employ more labor and pay more wages.
There will be more comforts in the homes,
as we'll as more prosperity in the stores,
shops and factories or Fresno, and the
people there have thousand reasons for
rejoicing that California has such pro-
moter of enterprise as Mr.. Spreckels
among her citizens.