The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-22

The Alabama legislature In its last ses-
factories from taxation In that state for
period OF ten years. The New York
Financier, In commenting upon this law,
says that the effect Is already dsscernable
in the decision OF large Eastern cotton
manufacturers 10 locate several man.
moth factories at different points in that
commonwealth. Birmingham has already
secured one OF these industries, which,
when completed. viii give employment TO
a large number OF hands. and Huntsville
has attracted another. the estimated cost
OF which f. 100000. The wisdom OF the
state In Offering to manufacturers an In
ducemsnt OF this character cannot be too
highly commended. II is at once an invi-
tation and a welcome 10 outside capital
and reveals more clearly than anything
else the fact that the new South Is alive
20 her own superior advantages, and does
not propose 20 hide them under a bushel.
Within the past two years the cotton in
dastries Of the North have been moving
South in large numbers. and there is rea-
son to believe that this change OF location
has as yet only begun. The opportunities
afforded a plant located near the source
Of production need no enlargement upon.
The fuel supply IS cheaper. the raw ma
teFiai Il furnished AZ lower rate. and
finally labor Is better provided FOR. even
though the wages may not be as high as
In the North.
Heretofore Georgia and Tennessee have
secured the frat outposts OF the rnanufac-
turing concerns which have changed ioea-
tons. but the action OF the Alabama legis-
lature has by this one move transferred
The probable center OF Southern cotton
fabric manufacture 70 that state. There
are solid reasons. even aside from this
legislative announcement. why Alabama
Affords peculiarly attractive field for
investments Of this class. The state lies
almost directly IN the center OF the cotton
production. Il has excellent facilities In the
way OF railroads, and the coal supply is
inexhausubla.
The exemption from taxation granted
does not impose any additional burdens
upon the present taxpayers. The factories
were not IN existence. and probabi. would
not have been huilt without the extraorai-
nary inducement offered. consequently tho
state Is 10, parting with any existing rsve-
nue. by relieving cotton factories OF taxa
ton. II secures great addition 20 tire
wealth ot the state. opens new avenues OF
employment to its citizens. ana improves
tho domestic market Tor the PRINCIPAL
staple product. ana this without adainr a
single burden 20 the taxpayers q TIE
state. II Is seldom thst 80 much good fol-
lows 20 state as The result os = single
legislative enactment.
Precisely In the same direction was TIE
means adopted quite rscentiy BY a British
Columbia city 30 secure the location Of =
large snei,eF. Ar exemption from city
taxstioa was granted. together with other
privileges within the power os TIRE city gov
eminent 20 confer sna as \ result srrri,-
Ing plant &c large proportions is to - Put
in ~ once. and that eity wlu Aeaeat snor-
msusly ~ SIS operation.
II the existing conditions IA this tsctla,
~ the country snaelsers are 70 Western
y aSHirE Ton wEat cetteH uif5s are - tAa
South, There Sc an enormous mining ee-
vslarneut pVomiac4 Ter ths immediate
future. dependent 20 some exteng ca tie
building - suseiters "a SUFFICIENT number
aaa of sufficient s3re 10 take care CT IRE
expected oa,pu;- Seattle Is tAs natural To-
cauaa Tor such f.aat: IRE business for 81
IS already tn sight; ard IRE seecess whioa
has followed TIE operation q other
srieliers n sewns ~ 50 eel le>asea w3ta
respect 20 railroad facilities ana proximity
20 TIE usnes ans fusl sources o. sagpsy. aAs
shown tsat there is rnozsv IN tss operation
a. sasA T1anL Waite az these facts ara
a1mttto.. thrrv has been 70 movement
Initiated gor TIE bussalnE q a s-nelier here.
= uay b$ a question waegasr ua1er sAs