San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-24
HOMESEEKER
RATES DRAW
CITIZENS
Increase Agricultural Pro-
duction, Help Boom
S. A. Territory.

Railroads. with the service they
give in the hauling of freight and pas
sensers over the broad e1pauses Of the
state, are making possible the develop
ment of Southwest Texas more, prob
ably, than any other single factor.
Many services which at first thought
seem TO be foreign to railroad and
its duties to the public it serves are
carried on by practically every line
entering San Antonio, and branching
out into the great trade territory Of
the largest city in the state.
When the outsider delves more close
" into the question, he notices that
these services are carried on by the
railroad rs boosters for the different
communities almost as much as for
the roads themselves, although in the
end the road reaps the harvest to the
same extent the community does.
'HOMESEEKER RATES"
One of the best things the railroads
did in 1925 TO increase agricultural
production and colonization of the soil
in Southwest Texas was the grant
lDH OIL uOultStthtI Edlto u luo Ertdl
number of residents in other states
who desired to come to Texas. and
particularly that part of Texas served
by San Antonio's business houses.
Special efforts taken by officials in
the passenger department Of the trans
portation lines TO encourage people to
move to this section resulted in an
influx far greater than If no interest
had been shown by the former. And
Southwest Texas and San Antonio
have benefited accordingly.
Most of the persons who took advan-
tage of the homeseeFer rates came from
Oklahoma and Kansas, according to
Tom Hood, assistant general passenger
agent Of the Southern Pacific Railway.
Mississippi also contributed its share.
| he said.
AID REFORNIERS.
In spite Of the drauth which severe
! ~ curtailed crop production in this
section, hardly a trsin was taken off
/ its regular schedule, so that what crops
were produced might be kept moving
with all possible rapidity.
Especially hard struck parts of the
State were given dispensations by the
TUllTuNu III llt INlfN bu lfthslulAo anu
grains for live stock and for planting
late crops this past year. TIL was
done with the permission OF the Rail
road Commission, and voluntarily by
the common carriers. 1t was looked
upon with great favor by the farmers
and rauchers benefited by it.
Inquiry sections which would do
credit TO a well established travel bu-
reau or information counter are main
tanned in connection with practically
every passenger ticket office in the
larger cities Of Texas. \ person de-
string almost any accommodation.
route or service can be directed to
where he may best find these things
in the cities where he wishes to 90.
DRAW VISITORS.
/ This convenience without cost Ia
| travellers is IN encouragement toward
Southwest Texas, and especially San
Antonio with its attractions as a win
ter resort. Mr.. Hood said.
In spite Of the advantageous things
which the carriers have doue for South
west Texas, there still remains vast
area which has not developed prop
orly because of lack Of facilities. ac-
cording to those who have kept in
touch with railroad extension for the
last few years.
The railroad mileage in Texas in
1910 was 1900 miles, excluding spurs
and sidings. In 1925 the mileage was
approximately 10000 miles, yet the
population increased during that time
from three to five millions of people.
According to G. Il. Nandell, general
manager Of the San Antonio chamber
of commerce, the wonderful opportun-
tiles for development and the creation
of tonnage in Southwest Texas Is wen
| illustrated by actual figures on tho
amount of land now being TILED.
MORE LINES PLANNED.
The land area is 167, 100000 acres,
while there are 81 100000 acres. or
/ less than 20 per cent in cultivation.
/ Within the past year, Mr.. IaDdeu
said, trunk lines having an interest in
| this territory have made many signifi-
cant moves tending to show that they
are alive TO the opportunities which
are held for them.
The first move was an application
on the part OF the Gulf Coast Lines
( to purchase and operate tho l.-G. \.
railway, aud the later acquisition Of
both lines and the S. A., U. and G..
| by the Missouri Pacific. A continue
ance of established transportation m
cilities without discrimination was
guaranteed by this merger, Mt lan-
dell said.
The Southern Pacific. since IL go
cent acquisition Of the 5. A. and A T..
I railway, has applied 20 the Inter tate
Commerce Commission for permission
to extend its lines from Falfurrias 10