Los Angeles herald., 1909-07-11
ALL CITIES SEEK
MEXICO'S TRADE
LOS ANGELES AWAKENS TO
OPPORTUNITIES
ADVANCE OF RAILROAD OPENS
WIDE FIELD
:afIux to Southern Republic, Colonial
tion of New Tracts, Mining and
Commerce Enrich Region
Tributary to This City
BY. M. 2. WRIGHT

OF commerce undergoing a marked
change through the implements of
modern civilization. Railroads are
Quickening the pulse of industry ana
on every hand is seen an Improvement
wonderful to behold.
In northern Mexico, in Sonora, Sina-
loa and Durango, what we're once bar
rem wastes of uncultiyated ground
have awakened at the call of irriga-
ton and are blossoming into desert
gardens. In a golden stream capital
is pouring into Mexico from every
country. Mines are opening and the
earth is yielding a return to labor, In
telligently applied. Agriculture has
been stimulated, manufacturing plants
built, business houses established and
the people educated to the great pos
sibilties of practically untouched soil.
From the international border the
Hartman line has been completed far
into the southern country to the san
tiago river in the territory of Teplc,
the richest and fairest of the great
Diaz domain.
Tepic has for centuries been the gar
den spot of Mexico. Enriched and
watered by 1000 streams, possessing
the finest ports and the most pro-
gressive inland towns of any of the
states or territories of the southern
republic, 1t is, perhaps, less known
than many of its less fortunate sisters
When the Hartman railroad touched
at Mazatlan and the steel monsters
first puffed into that port with thou
sands standing by to cheer, the dawn
of Topics greatness was seen. The
transformation of this territory since
that day has been marvellous. 1t Will
be more so as the months roll on.
Outside World Awakens
The outside world is beginning to
look beyond its own little back yard.
Los Angeles has needed the advice OF
T.. H. Hartman when in this city
few months ago and many Angelenos
are today interested in companies, or
are operating as individuals, in many
enterprises in Meico, particularly
mining and agriculture.
There are yet opportunities awaiting
the shrewd investor who can look a
few months ahead. Rome was not
built in a day and Mexico Will not be
perfected in week, but the rapid
progress shown in adapting itself to
modern conditions after centuries of
apathy and sleep is Indicative that the
opportunities existing today VIII soon
disappear.
Nowhere in the world is there bet
ter chance to make money than along
the west coast of Mexico.
For the small farmer. the man VINO
understands and has sufficient capital
to make a proper start, the opportunl-
ties are unexcelled. Fruit land, as fine
as any in the whole world, is but
awaiting the orchard to yield fortunes
for it's owners. Oranges and coHee,
staple crops, easily GROWN, requiring
little care and attention. Will repay
the investment 100 fold.
Bananas, the one year short crop,
grow In such abundance that with the
completion of the railroads planned
and under construction the day of the
ir
only a question of time when the west
ern part of the United States will be
supplied with bananas from the Mex
lean west coast and at prices lower
than ever before in the worlds history.
Americans are supplying the capital
which is improving these great planta-
tions, Los Angeles, San Francisco and
Seattle persons are back of giant ba-
mana plantations and a few years will
see vessels flying the American nag
and laden with cargos from these plan
tations plying between Mexican ports
and those to the north in the United
States and British Columbia.
Big Export of Money
Millions are spent annually in Mex
leo for mining machinery, agricultural
implements, canned goods, lumber ce-
ment and other commodities.
Much OF this business is now
coming to California. More will come
IL the business men of Los Angeles will
but go after this business. The com
merce of the west coast of Mexico is
logically one that belongs to Los An
geles. No better celebration of con-
solidation with San Pedro could be
had than a concerted effort to turn the
vast trade, now divided over half the
world, to Los Angeles. The bulk of the
foreign population of Mexico is Amer
ican. That of the west coast partic-
ularly is from California and the Pa
cifc states These persons are natur-
ally inclined to do their trading here,
but no effort has so far been made
to get the business which can be had
for the seeking.
San Francisco and Seattle firms, Van
couver and other British Columbia
houses are waging a systematic cam
paign for business. Steamship lines
have been established between these
ports and Manzanillo and Mazatlan.
Groceries, canned goods, bridge tim
bers and heavy hardware, mining ma
chinery, grain and many other COM
modities are being distributed from
these vessels into seaports and inland
towns. Spain and Germany monopolize
the business to a great extent, not
withstanding the great difference in
distance and the Inconvenience of be-
ing unable to get prompt shipments.
Los Angeles Should Control
Los Angeles should and could control
all this great business If it went after
it. The merchants must, however,
study the customs of the country, it's
geographical conditions and needs, to
be able to compete with ports of other
nations. Railroad facilities are as yet
inadequate although each day is i'm
proving this condition, and much of
the freight must be carried many miles
on burros or mules. Shipments must,
therefore, be made in parcels of sizes
easily handled in this manner. Goods
should be packed to stand hard usage,
for climbing mountain trails is not
easy work.
Credits must be studied. The foreign
houses have been accustomed to grant
long credits, but the Mexican merchant
is good pay.
Not only in commercial way, but
in 100 others can large profits be made.
Los Angeles men of standing and
financial strength have recently taken
over a plantation embracing 10000
acres and will operate it as a giant
stock farm and plantation company.
Properly handled, the returns from an
enterprise conducted on this scale
should pay large returns Land is
constantly increasing in value and
without Improvement of any character