Birmingham state herald., 1895-12-13
SOUTH AND NORTHWESF'
 
 Growth of Popular Sentiment for Extension of Trade. A COMMERCIAL CONVENTION Suggested d-Questions and Answers by'lead- ing Business Men of the Southern
 States East of the Mississippi ;

An evidence of the growth of popular sentiment in the south looking to an ezl- tension of trade relations with the north west is found in the replies to the letters sent out by the Southern and North western Industrial association, with headquarters this city. Among bank CTS. manufacturers and merchants there is almost a unanimous indorsement of the movement to bring the south and the northwest in closer touch on commercial and industrial lines. The following direct questions were asked number of lead ing business men of the southern states east of the Mississippi:
 l. Do you favor a movement looking to practical work in line with an extension of commercial relations between the two sections?
 9 What has the south to gain by in viting competition for merchants and. manufacturers of the northwest for trade that has heretofore been monopolized by the east?
 B. What are the serious barriers, If any, to the upbuilding of extensive reciprocal commercial relations between Chicago and the south?
 4 What is the general opinion among business men in your immediate locality on this question?
 D. What are the proper agencies to be employed in this business and the best methods to be introduced in order to reach practicable results?
 Categorical answers to these questions show practically unanimous answers Tn the affirmative to the first question. Re- plies to the second inquiry show great CT diversity of opinion; but the general impression seems to be that immigra- tion from the northwest to the south will increase as the people Of the two sections become better acquainted ana establish closer business relations. It IS also pointed out that capital from the northwest will seek investment Tn southern industries in proportion to the increase of commercial relations De tween the two sections. It is further sug-s gestad that the south will be largely ben-n efited by the advertisement of its re-. sources and the value of it's trade, incl dent to this agitation. v
 The barriers to the extension of bust ness relations are given:
 l. The unjust discrimination in freight rates, which practically prohibits trade between Chicago and the south in certain lines. at.
 2. The ignorance of Sthe southern peo- ple regarding the extent of the manufaf-a turing and commercial interests of the northwest It is not generally knowndn the south that the manufacture Of many articles largely consumed in the soufh is now done on a larger scale in ChleaEp and tributary territory than at any othsr place in the country. Since the agtation of this question and the manifestation of a, more active interest on the part or Chicago business men, southern consul mers have learned more or tne maBni-' tude of Chicago'S commerce and are nat. urally being attracted in that difec1 ton.
 In reply to the fourth question, it Is stated as the general opinion among bus mess men in the south that the aglta- ton of this question should continue un- til practicable results nave been reacheu'
 The general consensus of opinion Tn re- ply to the fifth inquiry is that the 1n- fluence of the press in the south ana m the northwest should be commenced m this work Information in detail should be presented both in the southern ana northwestern papers, showing the unjust discrimination in freight rates, the loss to the northwestern merchant and man ufacturer in depriving them of trade to which they are legitimately entitled, ana the loss to the southern consumer in be- ing shut out from competition for his business Remedies sought through the agency of the interstate commerce com mission having so far failed 1t Is the general opinion that the agitation of this question in the south will force the rail- roads to a recognition of popular senti- ment and result in their yielding to DODuldF utUldHd NilcHGNCI SoulhtAh lines realize that the southern consum- CTS of northwestern products are in ear nest in demanding an equita ble adjust ment of rates they will not hesitate to put in force such rates as will be satiS- factory. It appears to be the general opinion that nothing short of an awaken ing of popular sentiment in the south will force southern roads to an adjust ment of freight rates between northwest ern and southern points. Public senti- ment in the south can be built up only through the agency of an active organi- zation directing attention in a practical business way to existing evils and ad- vantages that will naturally accrue to both sections from the establishment of closer business relations. President Skaggs of the Southern and Northwest ern Industrial association states that a number of merchants and manufacturers of the northwest are beginning to address inquiries to the Southern and Northwest ern Industrial association concerning conditions in the south and citing par ticular cases where they are shut out from doing business in the south on ac- count of unjust freight rates Specific information on this line when received is brought to the attention of the partic- ular locality in the south which it af- fects, and In that way public attention is directed to existing evils. It is sug- gested that a commercial convention be held in the south at an early date, to be made up of representatives from com mercial organizations throughout the south east of the Mississippi, for the purpose of arousing the people to ia proper appreciation of the importance of this work. Birmingham being the largest shipping point in the south, the convention will probably be held in thfs city. The trend of events as indicated from the correspondence of this assA. citation, seems to justify the opinion that the southern and northwestern move ment will create a reuolutior, in rontbo...