The Columbus weekly dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 1902-1905, 1905-08-28
WHAT COLUMBUS OFFERS TO MANUFACTURE
ERS.

1t is an undisputed fact that the South is at
present time commanding the interest and atten
tOn Of manufacturers to greater extent than any
other section of the world. The advantages, from
every standpoint. are SO many and so generally
acknowledged that an enumeration of them is un
necessary
In the short space allotted to this subject, 1t
would be impossible to give even synopsis of the
many arguments in favor of the location of man
ufacturing plants in the South, and which appear
in nearly every edition Of daily papers maga
zines and trade journals. 1t is conceded that any
article into the manufacture OF which either iron,
timber or cotton enters largely, be produced
in the South at less cost than in the North. This
is due to the fact that the material is obtain
able here, in any quantity, at lower prices than
elsewhere. In addition to this advantage there is
another very important one which is generally
overlooked: The necessary buildings OF manu-
featuring plant be constructed in the South at
a saving of Is to 90 per cent. over the cost of the
same buildings in the North, owing to the lower
cost of building material. An additional economy
in construction is due to the fact that less eXpen-
sive buildings required as protection against
the severity of the Northern winters 1t is safe
10 assume that the saving from these two items is
quite 35 to 40 per cent.-an important item in the
investment, and cost of maintenance account.
The mdness of our winters greatly reduces the
cost of heating the buildings and with the extreme
low cost of coal reduces this item of expense to
minimum. All arguments in favor of the South as
manufacturing section apply to Columbus, but at
this point have added advantages possessed by
few, if any other points. Our close proximity to
Birmingham with it's low cost iron and coal and
with freight rates on these commodities but slight
ly in excess Of switching charges if carried to
plants in birmingham gives us every advantage
given that favored city-without it's handcaps. Lo-
Gated here, escape its labor troubles, its high
rates of taxation and it's excessive rentals.
Our timber supply is largely drawn from the
western counties of Alabama az miles distant,
fully Is per cent of which are still in virgin for
ests Of oak, hickory, gum pine and other woods.
The northeastern section of our state has vast
tracts of the finest quality of timber practically
touched. Our supply of timber is ample, the vari-
ETY. excellent and prices as low as at any point in
the county. Located are in the Cotton Belt,
the supply of cotton direct from grower to mill is
always assured
AS a distributing center Columbus is we'll To-
Gated Commodity rates to the Mississippi river
gaeways are lower than from any competitive
point thus opening to us the immense territory
west Of the river. To the southwest and southeast
we have as local territory the fast developing
states of Mississippi and Alabama To the Atlantic
coast states given freight rates which en-.
abes us to successfully compete with manufac
turing plants located nearer to that section. Low
rates to New England and Middle States, and the
extreme Northwest enables us with our advantages
to place goods protably in those sections. The
market for the product of plants located here is
practically unlimited.
These facts briefly stated are among the facts
to the material advantages of Columbus
manufacturing city.
There are other important points worthy the
earnest consideration of those looking for a loca-
tOn to establish manufacturing plant Columbus
is a city of homes It's citizens refined cultured
and hosptable It's moral atmosphere is unuSu-
ally clear It's educational facilities of the
highest order. In health its record ranks eXcep-
tionally high. It's magnificent position on the most
southern point Of the Appalachian Range of noun.
tans and overlooking the Tombigbee river it's
beautiful homes its grand old trees its delightful