The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-17
Circulation Statement



the resources of the South, published
in the Manufacturers Record fully
bears out the views which The Times
expressed upon the same subject some
weeks ago. In sober truth, the posi-
bilities of the South are SO vast as fair
ly TO stagger the imagination when one
attempts to group them together and
consider them in detail.
There can be no doubt that in natural
resources the section of our country
which lies south Of the Ohio River is
richer than the portion north of that
stream, although the wealth, present
and prospective, of the northern region
is. itself, almost limitless. In consider
ing the two sections, of course. every
element must be taken into account,
and at the very outset We are confront
ed by the fact that as an industrial
factor the climate of the South is
distinct advantage. Granting that in
the Gulf region it is somewhat ener-
waiting, it is nevertheless true that as
a whole the section is remarkably fay-
ored. The very heat itself adds to the
productivity of the soil, while reduc-
ing the expenses both of industrial en-
terprises and individual living. 1t used
to be claimed that it is easier. to make
indoor climate warmer than it is to
make it cooler But recent inventions
make that proposition more than doubt
full, and IT is entirely safe to say that
upon an average there will be much
less time lost in industrial operations
on account of weather conditions in
the South than in the North. This is
especially true of out of door enter
prises. In farming. the mildness of the
climate is a very great advantage, the
Northern farmer always finding it nee
essary to make provision for a long
and cold winter, both for himself and
his stock
The South is the worlds greatest cot
ton belt, and probably always will be.
This is the raw material of the most
important textile fabric known to man,
and its use is bound to increase with
enormous strides. But the South can
also produce the cereals and vegeta-
bles in abundance, saying nothing Of
tobacco, sugar, and semi-tropical
II
the South may be of the most DIVERSE
fed character and 5oundless in quaint
ty. Here W. have the basis of human
support.
Then the South is peculiarly rich in
minerals. which are the prime elements
in what are usually regarded as the
more important manufactures. With
out iron and steel there could, in fact,
be very little manufacturing carried
on, for it is of these metals that the
machinery is made. besides which they
are absolutely Indispensable in ship
building, house building, and all kinds
of structural work Iron without coal
would be of comparatively little value,
and here we find the South equally
well supplied. What is more signifi-
cant still is the circumstance that the
iron and the coal occur in close prox-
unity, there being also ample supplies
of limestone, which is a necessary adj
junct in the treatment of iron ore. In
marble, in timber in water power. and
in almost every form of raw material
used in manufacturing. the South is
inconceivably rich. and its wealth has
as yet scarcely begun t. be exploited.
Heretofore that section has been lack
ing in Industrial energy, but recently
great change has appeared. and in
some parts there has been almost a
transformation.
Nor need there be any tagging in the
matter OF foreign commerce. The South
has an abundance of fine harbors. Some
of them need Improvement, but all of
that will come in time; and west Of the
Appaiachians, particularly, the country
is threaded by rivers. broad and deep,
which flow through the richest sec
lions, finally mingling their waters
with the great Mexican Gulf, which
forms the ocean front of all that por-
ton of the South.
What the South needs for her indus
trial development is larger and more
Intelligent laboring population. The
negroes are all right for certain classes
of work which they understand; but
in the higher lines of mechanical la
they We're thoroughly efficient, they are
nearly all employed as it is, and the
South is in pressing need of high grade
white labor in abundant supply. This,
with capital, is what viii develop the
resources Of the section to the point
of fabulous wealth, and settle the race
question at the same time.
On to Panama.