The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-05

production OF $4,000 tons OF pi9 iron In 1890 the
South had increased 70 moro than 900 tons ia
1902 from 100000 tons of coal In 1880 to 900
In 1902"
Very many more statistics Of this as
tonishing progress might be cited, but
they would only overload this brief dis
cussion, for we are concerned rather
with the question Of the remarkable
ability of the Southern population. Mr..
EDMoNDs proceeded to point out that for
the great Southern development which
they indicate the Southern people them
selves must receive by far the larger
part of the credit. We will quote some
of his specific facts;
Run down the list OF Southern enterprises and
In large majority there will be found as presidents
and managers Southern men who have created
them.
Take the cotton mill industry as an example.
Pelzer, with It's 81 900 600 of capital and Its town OF
1000 people, Is the product OF the brain OF Charles
tonian Of ante -belum activity united with the
money OF the same city The, same man 10 also
president Of several other mills and is now building
for New England people In New Bedford a million.
dollar mill. One North Carolina family owns
about fifteen or twenty mills, One Of the most
successful OF South CarolInas noted mills Is con
,rolled by son of of the great economic leaders
of the South OF istO-5O while there passed away
recently South Carollnian who had built and was
at tho time OF his death the controlling power In
several mills. each representing a capital of over
81. 900 600"
The cottonsced oil industry. twenty years ago
represented by forty mills. with s35o0ooo capital.
now counts more than 100 mills, with capital OF
$50 100000 and an annual output OF sl250o 600.
and has been largely the result of the work OF South
ern men,
"one OF the most successful furnace managers
in the South. handling a furnace and mining plant
costing over $4,000, Is Southern boy % years
of age. while the IS, 900. 900 company to which this
plant belongs is equally as well managed by his
father, who was an oficer In the Confederate SER
vice"
Possibly the greatest lumber concern in Amer
lea. owning i,n0o.oCo acres Of timber and cutsng
I,Ooo,oOO feet of lumber day was organized and
Is controlled by Texan born in 1890"
SAMUEL SPENCER. the president OF the Southern
Railway with It's 10000 miles OF track. is a Southern
man. as Is also W. S. WILLIAMS. the president Of the
Scaboard whose titanic night against powerful
ananca influences In he purchase and development
OF this system a few years ago, made him national
character. The controlling genius of the Atlantic
Coast Line. which recently secured majority Of
the Louisville and Nashville stock thus bringing
together 10, OOo miles Of road Is Marylapdcr'
Southern men created the fertilizer business of
this section. and Southern men organized and
financed and now manage the $50, 600 fertilizer
company which furnishes the bulk OF the fertilizers
used in the South
In the brain OF q Southern man the great to-
oacco combination was born. and the same man
has made II one OF the most powerful business
organizations In the world"
These are only few illustrations OF
conspicuous Southern accomplishments,
but they are enough to indicate that,
great as has been the draft by other parts
of the Union ON the South. it still retains
sufficient masterful ability in its almost
undiluted American stock to proceed
successfully to the further and complete
development of one of the most resource
full regions on the face Of the globe, 1t
is strong race down there, as even the
most casual traveller discovers by his
observation of the people he sees as he
hurries throught.