The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-25
TIMES WILL
Be BR|GHT TER
Col. George Stones Views
on the Business
Outlook.
Growing Interest in Mines, Agri.
cultural and Timber Lands
and Other Investments.
Completion of the Turlock Cana1-A
New Electric Road for Sonoma
Valley.

"During my twenty-six years. residence
in California / can't remember a time
when the outlook for the general prosper
| ity of the State was SO encouraging" said
Colonel George Stone, who was seated in
his office yesterday, and he removed his
cigar, the better to emphasize this to a
| CALL man, who had been detailed to
gather the opinions of leading men of the
State on the business outlook for the new
year.
"What makes me think so7 Well, to
begin with, the great interest in mining
shown by our people, and doubt if there
ever has been such a desire in the history
of that industry on the part of outside
capital to invest in our quartz mines. Ii
our Government would establish depart
ment OF mines with secretary in the
Cabinet think it would help to place this
great industry where it belongs. The old
order of things when mining was regarded
as wild speculation has passed away.
The business as a rule is now carried on
legitimately and it is equally conservative
with manufacturing.
1.-THE prospect OF reasonable protection
for the fruit, lum Der and other products Of
our State" continued the colonel, has
stimulated all classes of business. Desir-
able lands are being sought for, and while
six months ago a. ricultural and timber
lands could not be disposed of at any
price transactions in that line are now fire.
quent
II notice also there are fewer men seek
ing employment since election. This Is
another evidence that the old-time faith
in the prosperity of our country under
Republican rule is as strong as ever. New
railroads are projected. especially short in
terror lines, new irrigation projects and the
completion of many old ones that remained
unfinished pending the uncertainty of the
Wright law"
Few men in the State, perhaps are bet
ter qualified to give an opinion on the
industrial outlook than Colonel Stone.
AS large employer of labor while en-
gagged on contracts for the construction of
the coast line of the Southern Pacific
through San Luis Obispo and Santa Bar
| bara counties, and other large enter
prises, his opportunities for trustworthy
observation are exceptional.
"As president of the Union League Club,
president of the Peoples Home Savings
Bank and of various mining companies
| your hands ought to be pretty full,
| Colonel2
my principal business is railroad con-
| struction. l have just closed contract
with the Turlock Irrigation District. The
well-known canal and the Building OF a
| flume, which we estimate will require in
its construction 100000 feet OF lum Der.
| There will be in addition necessary bridges,
| etc.
"You may say in The CALL" he added,
'that an enterprise of great importance to
| the State has been started in the organiza-
ton of the Santa Rosa and Sonoma Rail-
road, of which have Deen chosen presi-
dent.
| at commences at EN- barcadero, running
| through Sonoma City, Kenwood, Aqua
| Caliente. Santa Rosa, Heads burg. Knights
| Valley, thence on to Napa. 1t will be about
seventy miles in length in Sonoma County
| and forty miles in Napa County. The
company was organized by Captain A. M.
| Griswold of Kenwood, Sonoma County.
| Bonds have been already placed in the
East. 1t will tap the richest part of the
valley, and will powerfully aid in the de-
veiopment of its agricultural and indus
| trial resources as well as those of the
| State in general"
1t is we'll remem bered that the colonel
did some pretty hard work to carry the
State for Mckinley, and by the same
| token went down in his pocket in addi-
| ton.
What do you think of the chances of a
| Californian for a job in the new Cablnet?"
81 am not doing politics now, but be-
| lieve it is the desire of the President
elect to recognize our State. We have
| some splendid material in the party for the
position, and l only hope that neither
| local conditions nor unworthy rivalries
| will embarrass him in his choice"