The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1897-12-17
A BIG CONCESSION
LINE AND A RAIL
ROAD TO YUMA
Mexican Points to Be Brought Into
Close Commercial Touch
With This City

If Captain Alfonso B. Smith Of this city
succeeds in taking advantage of splendid
concession that he has recently been
granted by the Mexican government, his
venture will be likely to prove an impor-
tant factor in this part of the world. The
concession consists of the right to run
line of steamships from Salina Cruz, on
the Pacific coast Of Mexico, to San Jorge,
on the west coast of Sonora, on the Gulf
of California. From the latter place
railroad will be built to the Mexican
boundary line, a distance of seventy-six
miles, and thence eighteen miles to Yuma.
The benefit that will accrue to Los Ange-
les by the construction of this road and
the incidental opening of very rich coun-
try will be of most material character.
This city will be the natural source of sup
ply for that country and an extensive
trade will inevitably be established. San
Diego could not be regarded in the light
of a rival, as this city is at least day
nearer, and could readily monopolize the
trade.
Captain Smith has the backing of east
ern capital, and already steps have been
taken to establish the new line. Four
steamers are to be put on at once and two
of them are already on their way around
the Horn to Acapulco from Boston and
Quebec These boats will be from 1890 to
1900 tons burden, and will be able to enter
all harbors having depth of ten feet
Their passenger capacity will be over 100
persons. The line is to be known as the
Mexican Coast Steamship company, and
the vessels will run exclusively in Mexican
waters.
, Yuma is but 145 feet above sea level and
the grade will therefore be slight for the
railroad. Captain Smith said yesterday
that the engineer corps would arrive with
in the course of a month or even less, and
the line would be completed within six
months. The section through which the
road will pass Is said to be one of the most
picturesque as we'll as the healthiest in
Mexico. The soil Is a rich alluvial, and
IS susceptible of high state of cultiva-
ton. Cereals and all varieties of fruit
can be grown, and there are extensive fields
of wild flax, which when woven into cloth
resembles silk Of fine texture. Well water
Is easily obtained, sixty feet being the
maximum depth necessary to bore. The
Colorado river will supply the water neces-
sary to irrigate this section. Another point
of advantage is the wealth in minerals
There are already numbers of rich mines
being operated In that section, and pros
pectors are constantly in quest of new
leads. The ore in some places runs as
high as $1,000 to the ton, and there are
quantities of 1t, too. The celebrated Sui
phur mountain lies within short dis
lance of the proposed route. The output
from this mine is practically unlimited
but the production is retarded by lack Of
transportation facilities. With the new
road tapping that country, additional
forces of men would be put to work and
up-to-date machinery would be added
Rich as this section is said to be, both
in minerals as we'll as agricultural posi-
bilities. Los Angeles would be the addi-
tional gamer by being brought into closer
touch with the entire western part Of
Mexico. and could well invade the older