New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-23
PROSPERITY IN THE SOUTH
SIGNS OF IT APPARENT TO THE Wis
ITOR-GREAT IMPROVEMENT IN
RAILROAD FACILITIES-USE
OF OIL AS FT-FT
IFRoM 4 STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE rA1sUszI


Present Industrial progress in the South and
Southwest is OF a kind that produces permanent
Improvement in the affairs of the individual and
the State. Travelling through this part OF the
country one sees on every side evidence Of marked
development in agriculture and manufactures.
especially in the latter named. which have made
wonderful forward strides in the last two years.
The small towns keeping pace with the cities,
and in the remote districts where poverty has
been the chief asset for many years. signs OF an
Industrial awakening be found in plenty.
A few years ago there a common expression
that the South looking up" It may now be
said that the South IS up" and that it is de-
veloping its resources in way that may well at
tract the capital of the richer North.
In this city which claims justly the commercial
supremacy OF the South. expectations of another
year OF prosperity are based on strong founda-
tons. New-Orleans's municipal bonds in good
demand high prices. and the people Of the city
are able TO care for their own securities without
outside assistance. There is more money in the
city than before in Its history, there good
demand for all kinds OF supplies, and there is an
active extension OF banking and building operations
now under way. Within the last few weeks a trust
COMPANY capitalized at $1,000 600. has been organ
lied, with every cent paid in by local subscribers
That home capital IS seeking investment in New
Orleans IS reflected In the fact that twenty-four
hours after the charter Of the Southern Trust and
Banking Company had been recorded applications
for 500 900 Of the stock had been made by men and
corporations that wished TO be associated with the
organizers in the enterprise.
New-Orleans presents an excellent field for trust
companies. In the case OF the concern Just organ
lied 100000 OF local capital has been invested in
a way 70 afford a working capital FOR the develop
ment Of the city and its vicinity With a few men
In New-Orleans investing 100000 in home enter
prise 1t is probable that outside capital viii be
anxious 10 take advantage OF the opportunities pre-
scented for profitable employment in this part Of the
country.
The Increase in exports and imports at New-Or-
leans in the last two years is a reflection OF the
growth in commerce and trade OF all the Gulf and
Southern Mississippi States Il cannot De gainsaid
that this city offers great advantages for export
trade The location is favorable for manufacturing
industries the transportation facilities by rail and
water unsurpassed, while the incorporation In
the State constitution OF article for the
emptton from taxation for ten years OF certain
manufacturing enterprises and the benefits which
will follow from the construction OF either the
Nicaragua or Panama canal will give this port
hold on the countrys foreign commerce that will
make the city Of the great exporting points OF
the world. New-Orleans IS the terminus OF five
large railway systems and II is built the banks
OF river that drains two-hfths OF the territory
Of the United States In 1901 New-Oreans dis
possessed Philadelphia from third place in the list
Of grain exporting points its total shipments Tor
the year being exceeded only by New-York and
Baltimore. The actual gain in grain exports was
far more than that OF any other por. in the couu-
try. and in wheat alone exports were nearly quad
Tupled for the year Of 1901 over $50. In the last
two years the total foreign commerce Of New-Or-
leans showed increase IN value OF f2iZ57S9l. or
Sc per cent.
The preservation u the river front FOR CONNER
,iaI purposes Is being closely watched by the New
Orleans Board OF Trade and all legislation affect
ing railroad franchises along the river is being en-
couraged IN the direction that v'I best serve the
interests Of the merchants Of t.. t and the great
transportation companies euJeru- ne town. The
improved sanitary condition or New-Orleans and
the active work the new sewerage and water
works systems viii have an important bearing on
o. --~ar g al VOL a~aa ~
The railroads doing much for the Industrial
expansion OF the South From Washington 10 At
Ianta and from Atlanta 10 New-Orieaus the rail-
have increased their mileage, extended their
lines into sections formerly without the benefits
OF transportation facilities and have brought the
means 10 many centres and many people 10 build
their fortunes on substantial foundations When
the nlseres OF railroad travel in the South Of not
many years ago ara recalled the vast change that
has been brought about years is par
tcularly significant. Great credit must DO given 70
the men who reorganized the old Richmond Ter
ninal system into the present trunk line OF the
South-the Southern Railway. The managers Of
the Southern Railway know that the profits IF the
company depend upon the resources OF the South.
and a consequence effort is being spared 10
encourage the development Of the industries along
the various lines Of the company. The Southern
Railway Is helping the farmers and manufacturers
Of the Southern States. and incidentally II Is try
ing to teach South the benefits OF good roads
The matter OF good roads needs serious considera-
greater number OF cases the thoroughfares are in
a condition far than that OF some OF the
sandy trails in New-Mexico and Arizona
In order TO bring this subject the attention Of
the rural districts the South the Southern Rail
way recently over It's lines good roads
train" stopping every town and crossroads. and
there carrying for the instruction Of the people
A series Of practical experiments in modern road
building The development OF the steam railway
in the South has extended the street roads in
the various cities and Eew-OrIeans the electrical
system cannot be surpassed by that OF any city
the country. far as good management and equip
nent are concerned. over In Texas even the very
small towns boast OF trolley roads that are
far better handled than some OF the big lines in
Northern cities. The New-Oreans system en-
braces fifteen lines OF reaching from end
OF the town TO the other and penetrating every
suburb Of the city. There lis miles Of track,
operating from 80 10 $50 daily. The are
clean. and comfortable. and, starting in Canal
st. ST. Charles and Carondelet the sight
may travel all parts Of the city the usual
of five cents with transfers included. Visitors
in New-OrIeans may md much that quaint and
methods are lacking in the streetcar system or in
other business enterprise Of the Crescent city
The South is progressing, said OIdtimer
on the levee few days ago, and as an instance
he called attention to the fact that II now required
gangplank where formerly il took from eight
Louisiana are better condition to-day than ever
before known. In the ordinary run Of things no
part OF the auvial country should hereafter suffer
much from the high water that usually comes in
the spring. ne highest levee in the State Is the
upper limit of Pointe Coupe Il is said
ure 327 feet the base and. with a slope OF TO !
a levees usually constructed. the height Of
the levee in question would be l0S feet. or about
thirty-six yards. Perhaps the best equipped evee
in the State is the Atchafalaya. No one in Louis-
money has been expended in levee construc-
ton. but It is safe to say that from the beginning
OF this work, which dates back many the
total expense IS about equal TO the amount OF the