Arizona republican., 1898-08-03
THE REASON WHY.

The Los Angeles Mining Review has for some time besn trying to argue tne manufacturers of that city Into the business of furnishing mining macnln- ery for the mining industries Of th1s section. It is to be hoped that the Review will accomplish this object. It would be a great saving to the miners of Arizona if they could obtain from California that which is now so cost ly, coming from the east in conse- uuence of the high freight rates. The following from the Review is con- tinuation of the argument alluded to:
 "The question is sometimes asked, and in an astonished tone, why, with its cheap fuel Los Angeles is not more of a manufacturing point Such a question was asked the other day of representative of this paper by prom inent eastern manufacturer, who, with his family, is now making tour through southern California. He had heard something of the advantages Los Angeles possesses in it's crude petroleum as cheap fuel, and, as he himself expressed it, I was anxious to see to what extent your people here were utilizing it for manufacturing purposes
 Tt is not necessary to give his next remark; it was not complimentar to the business men of Los Angeles When told that he was mistaken, and that the city, speaking of its American life, was the largest of it's age in the United States, he quickly replied: I don't care anything about age or size; size cuts nc figure when natural ad- vantages are at hand Some of the largest manufacturing establishme nts in this country are in small cities not one-half the size of Los Angeles, but the people in them have known how to utilize their natural advantages whether in the form of water power Or cheap fuel. You have built up a nice city, and you have got nice climate but let me tell you that if you rely up- on your climate to- support your city. you are going to live on air" And as he said this the eastern man heartily laughed in the enjoyment of his own joke.
 He had right to laugh He stated Tn the most concise manner a plain truth. With the cheapest fuel on earth Los Angeles is not a manufacturing point. Why? Because cur people have not the hard sense to realize the nat ural advantages their city possesses. They have failed to comprehend that Los Angeles is even now the metropo- lis of a region greater. than any ether in the United States, all of which is naturally tributary, and would be- come absolutely SO to Los Angeles if It's people knew how to make a man. ufacturing center of it, and so compel this great southwestern region to look to Los Angeles as it's natural base of supply.
 When told these things they reply We cannot compete with Chicago St. Louis and other large western manu- featuring centers.' To that may be answered, why not? You have a shorter railway haul for your goods to your customers; these latter can come here, If necessary, and explain in per son what they want at less expense than they can go east; you have the cheapest fuel and electric power. No: the reason is not that you cannot com pete with Chicago and ether western cities. but because nobody knows that you are a competitor with them or likely to become one; your names do not figure in the newspapers as manu- facturers of articles that those engag- ed in other branches Of industry re- quire. Take. for instance, mining ma chinery and other things required in the development and working of mines. Do the miners throughout southern California and Arizona know that you make them? No Let them know that ycu can, that you make stamp mills and other machinery here just as good and just as cheap as they do in eastern cities and you may rest assured that miners will not go 2OO0 miles out of their way to buy what they want"