The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-07-16
Spirit of Optimism Prevails In
That County Now.
Reports Regarding Business
Conditions Are Encouraging.
INVESTIGATORS BY SANTA FE
Outlook Is for Prosperous Busi-
ness in Near Future.
Improvement Being Made in
Commercial Activities.

A spirit Of much optimism prevails
among santa Fe traffic officials upon
the present outlook for a rapid trade
resumption with Mexico.
Reports regarding business condI-
tons from that country are highly
encouraging and the Santa Fe is
making extensive plans to restore the
freight service between the two coun-
tries to that OF pre-war days, and TO
assist in the development OF the
many natural resources OF that coun-
try.
Reports Are Encouraging.
The company has had experts make
extensive Investigations in Mexico re-
Gently. IL has several men in that
country now and all of the reports
being made are highly encouraging.
In fact, one OF the railroads repre-
seutatfves makes the rather startling
statement that conditions in Mexico
at the present time are not at all bad,
in fact. think they are fully as good,
if not better, than in the states, re-
ferring, OF course. to this country.
The traffic department Of the Santa
Fe attaches much importance to the
outlook for the trade revival with
Mexico, not only from the standpoint
of the business it means to the rail-
road company, but other transporta-
ton companies and the entire country
as well. Drastic improvement in the
financial and commercial activities ts
looked for in this country once trade
relations can be fully restored with
Mexico.
An idea OF the importance which
the Santa Fe places upon this trade
revival is shown by the following
statement which was made today by
J. r Koontz, assistant freight traffic
"A complete revival OF trade with
Mexico will do much toward bring
ing back normal business conditions
in this country. Mexico is a big coun-
try of vast resources and has lain
practically dormant for eight years.
It is now to be developed all over
again Just like a new country Mexico
is in demand Of our grain, In fact.
nearly everything we produce in this
country will find a market there.
When properly developed the business
will amount to much more than 1t
did before the war period"
No Development Work
Il IS true that the American rail-
roads have been getting more or less
business out of Mexico during the
past few years, but for the past ten
or more years. ever since Mexico s
war problems came up, the railroads
have paid little attention to business
there and absolutely nothing has been
done in development work NOW
nth improved conditions there, the
railroads are again coming TO the as
sistance OF Mexico and some ROADS
already have loaned the Mexican ma
/ tionaI railway cars and engines for
moving freight.
| An interesting account OF the pres
emit day conditions in Mexico Is in the
/ hands of the traffic department of
/ the Santa Fe at this place. 1t was
made by one of the company's rep
! rssentatives who was sent to that
/ country for the specific purpose OF
I gathering such data and information
for the company, and naturally the
| traffic department attaches much I'M
4 portance to the report which is in the
form Of a letter, and parts OF Wnicn
/ follow:
The business conditions IN Mexico
| at the present time are not at all bad,
in fact. I think they are fully as good
Il not better. than in the states.
Many Strangers in Mexico.
ct found Mexico City crowded with
| strangers, the hotels full and many
people arriving to Iecate permanently:
Among those whom you know, L
( might mention c. R. Hudson. formerly
with the Santa Fs as general freight
agent. and later vice president OF the
Mexican Central, who has been con-
nected with one of the railway lines
in Cuba for the past five years as vice
president and general manager.
/ Hudson advised me that ne had
gone out Of the railroad business and
was now engaged in mercantile BUSH
ness in Mexico City and doing well
He seemed to be very optimistic as
ITO the business outlook. as did many
OF the old time business men Of the
city with whom eonversed-
i Mexico is almost bare of goods OF
all kinds and description. owing to the
eleven years OF revolution that left the
country Impoverished. especially in
: commodities of all kinds that go to
make up the business of the country
They produce nothing to speak OF.
in the way of necessities except food
stuffs, and the fact that Europe has
; practically been put out Of the COM
mercial game for several years. gives
. the United States a splendid chance
to introduce ali kinds of her manu-
: featured goods into Mexico, which fact
; is being taken advantage of in many
lines.
Plenty OF Money.
The economic conditions in Mexico
! do not seem to be any worse than in
the states at the present time and
there seems to be plenty Of money II
circulation to do business with.
The lack Of credit facilities to dc
business with in the United States is