The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-01-01
BUSINESS OF THE SOUTH.
Tho Year 1905 Was Ono of Marvellous
Achievement For This Section

BALTIMORE, Nd, Dec. 51.-Riohard
ID. Edmunds, editor Of the Manufac-
turers' Record, in a general review Of
the business of the South during the
past year and the prospects for the fu.
ture, published In this weeks issue of
his newspaper. says in part:
1.-THE year just ended has been one
for which sill 20 come will be noted in
the re cords Of the South ss one OF the
most Important in its history.
"Looktng back over 1895 we can see
that for the South 1t has been year Of
marvellous achievements. Wren the
general business depression. which has
existed throughout the world for sew
eral years, Is taken into account 1t will
be realized that the South accomplished
wonderful things during 1895.
ut was year free from speculative
activity and yesr In which there was
no hurreh or booming business seen in
any part OF the South; but In all this
great territory there has been solid,
substantial foundation laid for greater
growth than was ever before seen in the
South, II not in any other psrt of the
country"
He attributes great portion OF this
pros perisy to the Atlanta Exposition, of
which he says that it's iafluence will be
felt for years to come and that its effect
on tho future of the South cannot be
measured in figures.
OF the iron industry OF the South be
says: IA large number OF plants. which
had been idle for several years, have
gono into operation during the last
twelve months, some having been
started up by their former owners, some
having passed into the hands of new
and strong concerns, which aecured
large propertieS at prices which promise
very liberal returns. At the close Of
the year arrangements are being oom-
pleted Tor blowing In several other fur-
naces, which have been undergoing
repairs, and in the early part of ths
new year the already heavy production
of iron in the South will be materially
increased"
He deems the recent award to the New.
port News Snip Building Company the
contract to build two Government war
ships, q, cost of 81. 500. 600, the next
most important event of the year, and
as emphasizing the power of the South
In the business interests Of the country.
OF the cotton manufacturing In
dustries he says: "Cotton mill build
Ing made greater progress in the South
during 1895 than ever before. The
aggregate number of eptndles for new
AAiAAAH uhNOieohOh ouEluH bno Y66E 6uu
for engagements of old mills WAS In
round numbers about 1000, 900 or prob
ably twice as great Oh ever before re-
corded in one year. In round numbers
the South has now, including mills In
operation and those under construction
for which the money hae been raised,
about 4.oo0, 600 spindles in sight. all of
which will be in full operation before
the close OF the present crop year"
The following summary of new indus
tries is given: The total for 1895 was
3.097 new enterprises, against 2,s29 in
1894 and 2,293 in 1893 It will be noted
that the most marked increase was in
cotton mills. cotton congresses and
cotton-seed oil mills, other enterprises
showing comparatively few material
changes. The number OF cotton mills
projected increased from A in 1894 to
1877 in 1895; the mum Der of cotton com.
presses from 12 to 80, and of cotton
seed oil mills from Is to 3S.