The herald., 1897-04-25
GREAT VANDERBILT SYSTEM

country, much OF which, In Southern
Utah, Is very rich from an agricultural
and horticultural standpoint. Thousands
Of acres Of the finest lands in the worli
with water to irrigate the same are
ready for occupancy just as soon as a
railroad is built to carry the people to
that country and to carry away the pro-
ducts Of the soil.
Not only Is the soil rich, but vast de-
posits of coal are there found that will
furnish cheap fuel for the Pacific coast.
Such extensive coal beds are nowhere
else to be found west Of the Allegheny
mountains in the United States. These
coal veins are very thick, some Of them
ranging in thickness from ten to twenty
feet. These railroads can deliver this
coal In Los Angeles at less than 81 a ton
and at the same time make fortunes for
the mine owners and large dividends'for
the owners Of stock in the railroads car
rying the same to market
Near by these vast deposits of coal are
mountains Of almost pure iron ore. 1t is
Pacific coast to send east for their iron
when such vast quantities can be had so
close at home. The development of these
iron and coal interests will give employ
ment to thousands Of people who will
need the products of the soil Of that
country and will also have occasion to
make heavy drafts on Southern Califor-
mia for food supplies.
Manufacturing interests will also
spring up when there is so cheap fuel and
plenty of iron. The transportation ques-
tion is the only one to be solved; all 9TH
ers will take care Of themselves. Prac-
tically the transportation problem is
now solved; all that Is needed Is a lit
tie time in which to carry out the plans
already made.
This railroad building will also devel-
op a country rich in gold and silver
mines. These mines cannot be worked
without railroad facilities. Rich min
ing camps will start up where now only
prospects are to be found.
What does this railroad building mean
for Southern California? Those who
have watched the development Of this
southern country need not be told.
Railroad building by the Southern Pa
cific company created the business ac-
tivity and developments of 1S74-5 in
Southern California.
Railroad building by the Santa Fe
company produced the business activity
and speculative era of 1867. increasing
our population from 64, 800 in 1880 to 3O2,-
900 In 1896.
Railroad building by the Vanderbilt
system and by other railroad compan-
les during 1897 7-sS-99 ETC., will just as
surely produce another season of busi-
ness activity; and If it increases the
population to the same extent during the
next sixteen years as 1t has been in
creased during the past sixteen years,
we shall certainly see some very lively
times soon.
And why should we not? During the
past six years the increase of popula-
ton in Southern California has been at
the rate Of 16,500 year. Los Angeles
city during the past seven years has
more than doubled its population. Its
population in 1890 was $1,000 Under the
census now being taken by special act
Of the legislature the population will
very materially exceed 100000.
Under the invigorating influences of
the present railroad program, the build
ing of the San Pedro harbor and a cent
per pound tariff on $4,000, 900 worth of
citrus fruits next season and gradually
increasing. what will be the showing
made by this country ten years hence?