Local, national, and international factors shaped the course of Utah's economy and investments during the first half of the twentieth century, both in the region and abroad, especially in the areas of mining, energy, ranching, agriculture, manufacturing, and transportation. As a result of economic growth, some capital surpluses and investment opportunities included links to Mexico. It became clear that Utah needed a close liaison to attend to matters of economic interest, and this need became the catalyst that prompted Governor William Spry to propose opening a consulate in Salt Lake City to the Mexican government in 1910. Porfirio Díaz's government and the Mexican Congress accepted the proposal after the Mexican Consular Service Organic Law (Ley Orgánica del Servicio Consular Mexicano, LOSCM) of 1910 and its Regulation of 1911, which identified consular work as a promoter of foreign trade and bringing capital into the country.
This article aims to illustrate, using...
