OCR Text |
Show -43- R.R. running on the dotted line, shown as an extension of the S.P. branch, would be in very simple construction all of the way, and that excellent harborage facilities exist at the terminus shown. This is a matter for the future, of course, but the development of the proposition is the work of a lifetime and all possibilities of communication and markets must be of great interest to us. The Gulf road would put our country in direct communication with the western ports of Mexico and South America and, via the Nicaragua Canal, with the East. Prices to be charged for land and water The discussion of this question is perhaps out of place in an engineers report, but as it is the most important question to be decided by the directors of the Co. and since the welfare of the settler and the profits of the Co. depend upon the correct solution of the problem, I desire to express a few general views. The lower the prices of land and water are placed, the more rapid will be the development of the country and the greater the profit of the settler. This proposition is of such magnitude and the conditions of land and water supply are so favorable, that the ultimate profits of the Co. are not at all dependent upon the profit derived from the first 100,000 or 200,000 acres of land under cultivation. It is my opinion then, that the best policy for the Co. is that which, in the quickest time possible, will create a revenue to meet the cost of |
Source |
Original book: [State of Arizona, complainant v. State of California, Palo Verde Irrigation District, Coachella Valley County Water District, Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, City of Los Angeles, California, City of San Diego, California, and County of San Diego, California, defendants, United States of America, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Utah, interveners] : California exhibits. |