Birmingham state herald., 1895-11-30
TO BE LOCATED AT CHICAGO
Its Main Object Is 'oster Southern Cotton
 :: fills.
THE PLAN OUTLINED
THE DETAIL =
Chicago T = the Logical Distributing Point / .25,ooo, ,ooo Worth of Co., tqi,- ,ods an Alliance With the
 S Test Should Be Sought.

Augusta, Ga., NOV. 29.-AuguSta mas started a plan to include the whole south for a southern cotton exposition in Chi cago. After several days in consultation with MT. F. B. Deberard of the New York Dry Goods Economist the following plan has been mapped out:
 It is self evident that both consumers and investors will be attracted to the south in great numbers by proof that the south can produce more cheaply. The south can sell more cheaply than any competitor.
 It is proposed to supply these proofs by holding a cotton exposition in Chicago, whose broad purposes shall be:
 l. To make new customers for present products.
 g. To open direct lines of distribution between producers and consumers.
 5. To bring the knowledge of the capi- talists, in a most forcible and convinc- ing way, the great opportunities for profit which southern cotton mills af- ford; and to finally show to the great west that Chicago is the natural and log ical distributing center for $25,000 000 worth of cotton goods annually, which the south must and will naturally and logically make; and to offer to Chicago the great prize of an immense trade in exchange for Chicagos mighty assist auce in building up the south.
 The exhibit should be practical and business like in it's nature, with enough of the picturesque element to make 1t att tractive to the public.
 It should be devised to appeal to three great classes, defined as follows:
 For the general public: Picturesque features, culture preparation, methods of shipment. etc.; plantation scenes, southern cotton markets, northern cotton exchanges, etc.; comparative exhibits of cotton machinery from the earliest times to the present, and modern cotton ma- chneries at work
 For the merchant: A very full and complete display of southern cotton goods, in comparison with New England made goods of similar grades; elaborate displays by individual southern mills, models of leading southern mills, large maps showing distances and freight charges, full comparisons of quality and selling prices.
 For the investor: Very full and thorough object lessons in relative costs north and south, new machinery con- trasted with old, the great earning pow CT of new equipments in the south, to which cost of construction and low cap ital, attention is drawn; comparison Of wages, cost of raw material and freight charges north and south, southern water powers.
 This is but a few of the outlines of many details that will suggest them selves.
 It should be carefully noted that an enormous outlay is not contemplated. A very modorate sum of money would serve every practical business purpose, and with judicious management the earnings could be made to pay all ex- penses Specially constructed buildings are not essential, although it might be expedient to provide them. Only the main outlines of the proposed Chicago Cotton exposition are set forth above. but there are many details of great prac- tical value that can be elaborated. I will barely allude to them here. In con- nection with the general plan would advocate the formation of a great cotton goods commission company in Chicago to sell only southern cotton goods and to represent as many southern mills as pos sible. The great dry goods merchants and capitalists of Chicago would be the interested parties. The same interest should be enlisted in the founding of southern bleacheries, print mills and starch works. That motive that should lead Chicago to work with all it's en- ergy to further these projects is the most powerful of human motives. namely, self-interest. Chicago has $250 GOO of cotton goods trade within it's reach whenever 1t stretches out its hands to get 1t, but 1t does not know it.
 A cotton exposition in Chicago will make that city aware of its greatest op- portunity in all its whole marvellous his- tory. It will bring to the aid of the south a powerful ally, whose utmost en- ergy will be put forth in the cause of southern development. because there are hundreds of millions in it for Chicago.
 New England and New York welcome the south as a customer; they dread her as a competitor and they will impede her as much as possible in her struggle to develop her manufactures. The self interest of the east Is against the south: the self-interest of the interest is for her. The western alliance is the souths true policy.