Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-01
whole country an era of general pros
THE RAILROADS PROSPEROUS.

Every railroad in the South enjoys
an unusual prosperity. The price of
iron was long considered the best ba-,
rometer of trade. When the price of
iron was high. trade was good. and
when the price fell trade fell with It,
but in more recent years better ba-
rometer Is the condition of the rail-
roads OF the country. Whenever and
wherever the railroads are prosperous
the country through which they pass
is prosperous also, and vice versa. Take
the Nashville, Chattanooga and st.
Louis railway as an example. For six
years prior to 1898 there was only one
month in which the gross earnings ex-
ceeded 100000. but for seven months
during the present year the earnings
have gone beyond that amount. In
other words. during seventy-two
months previous to 1898 there was only
one month in which the earnings
reached 100000, while there have been
seven months during the present year
month. This shows more clearly than
that they have exceeded $500, 900
almost any statement that can be made
the prosperity of that region through
which this railway passes. and the
prosperity of the road itself. Nor is it
alone in this. The Louisville and
Nashville railroad has enjoyed proba-
bly, the greatest prosperity during the
present year that 1t has ever had, and
the same may be said of several other
railroads in the South
PRESIDENT HOFFMAN'S VIEWS.
II. c. Hoffman, president Seaboard
Air Line System, Baltimore, Nd:
Il do not think that there is q ques-
ton that the South has been much less
affected by the prices of cotton this
year than is generally believed. In
tact, You hear much less about the
'ruination of low prices I believe that
cotton can be raised at present prices
IN the South at a profit by those who
work and every year the Southern peo>
pie learn more and more to diversity
their crops, and their other crops have
been very fine this year. I think the
south has now fairly entered upon an
era or prosperity. I think that the
manufacturers have made producers
and therefore large consumers of n
very large class of population, which
heretofore have actually produced or
consumed nothing (outside OF them
selves), and that the employment of
TINS class has In nowise interfered
with the agricultural interests, OF the
actual producers heretofore, and
think the general condition of the peo-
pie will show this. or course, there are
always grumblerS. and the South Is not
free from that class, but you know
that am believer in the future of
the Southern country and the Southern
people"
THE OUTLOOK GOOD.
NJ E. ingalls,. president Chesapeake
and Ohio Railway Company, Cincin-
natl. Ohio:
II cannot sneak as to the remote
South. but the Southern territory which
the Chesapeake and Ohio railway
serves. to wit, Kentucky, West vir-
ginla and Virginia, is very prosperous
ODD fha ~,
seems to me to be good Kentucky in
1888 raised good crops, all of which are
finding n ready sale. Wheat, cora and
stock bring good prices. West Virginia
is the richest land in the world, in my
Judgment, in coal, and It's future de-
pends entirely upon its development
There seems to be a demand for It
East and West to-day greater than the
transportation companies can FILL I
look to see this demand increase rather
than diminish. In old Virginia there
seems to be an improvement all along
our lines. The manufacturers are
making money and people are beginning
States in the Union for manufacturing;
beautiful climate, the cheapest and
best labor In the world and moderate
taxes The Developments there in the
future will be very great"
a BLESSING IN DISGUISE.
Leroy Springs, president Lancaster
and Chester Railway Company, Ian
caster. S. c.:
Il think the general industrial and
business situation of the South is in
healthy state, and the outlook for the
future is very promising. The present
low price of cotton seems to have been
blessing in disguise. as the farmers
are learning to cultivate their lands
petter using more fertilizers and pro-
ducing more to the acre. They are also
educating themselves to make all their
supplies at home: are deVoting more
attention te-the Improvement of their
Farms and their general condition. The
manufacturing Industries throughout
THIS section seemf to be in a healthy
think South Carolina has only made
a beginning towards industrial in
situations of all kinds"
ANALYSIS OF THE SITUATION.
George c. Smith. president and gene
raj manager Atlanta and West Point
Ialifoao. me Western Railway of Ala
bama. Atlanta, Ga:
Our section of country is rich in
resources and settled with progress
slVe and industrious people, who will
| give good account of themselves, no
matter what the price of cotton may
| De this season or next"
NJ. v. Richards. land and indus trial
agent Southern Railway, Washington,
| d. c.:
Permit the following analysis of the
situation. viz: The South has G) excel
lent credit 90 splendid crops. (3) pros
porous factories. (D growing trade.
| to) abundant natural resources, (6)
| a contented people. and by reason
| thereof its industrial and commercial
| analrs occupy conspicuous and en-
| viable position
A. p. Stillwell. president Kansas City,
| Ptttsburg and Gulf Railroad Company,
New York, n. Y:
u have not time to give you a