The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-09-25
WHITE TALKS IF ACTUAL PROGRESS Industrial Agent of Seaboard is
 in the City GREAT NEED OF LABOR Conditions Can Be Improved Only by Putting Forth Extra Efforts to
 Secure a Good Class of
 Immigrants.
GREAT NEED OF LABOR

J. W. White, general industrial agent of the Seaooard, is in the city. He came Saturday morning and will remain until tonight or tomorrow morning
 This is the first visit of MT. White in several months as he was Ill practically all summer. He says that he can notice great progress in Birmingham since he was here last, and in fact he says the Improvements struck him most forcibly.
 Concerning developments in general. MT. White said:
 Nearly every one understands in general way that conditions in every ave- nue of commercial life are steadily inn proving throughout the south, but very few realize the actual progress which has been made during the past few years There was time when the organization of company having capital of mil lion dollars would have evoked wonder and much comment; today it is an occur rance calling forth mere mention as news item The south is now recognized as an important factor in the industrial world and each days happenings simply tend to strengthen it's position in that respect
 Gratifying Features.
 One of the most gratifying features in the work of development has been the entire absence of any boom methods. The progress thus for made has had as its foundation conditions of solid and last ing nature. The south's resurces are varied in character, rich in quality and plentiful in quantity. While these are facts we have had a tedius and difficult task in convincing people from other parts of the country.
 We have long remained in the eyes of the world distinctively agricultural section where there could be no manu- featuring carried on successfully except in those articles produced entirely from cotton. We appreciate the wonderful de- and fully realize it's value to us, yet a consideration of facts will show that our growth in other lines of manufacture is also large, and while not proportionately so as yet, it will be when our ability to produce and maintain such enterprises becomes fully known, and the one other essential feature in connection herewith shall have been supplied. 1 refer to la bor. We have unquestionably been fol- lowing the lines of least resistance in this matter until we are face to face with the greatest problem that has confronted us in many years. We may just as well realize and accept one fact, that is that our condition in this respect can only be improved by putting forth extra efforts to secure a desirable class of immigra- tion. That the south has suffered from emigration rather than received the bene- fits of immigration is well understood We have as people resented efforts made toward immigration and this cou- pied with the systematic work on the part of western railroads in inducing peo- pie to their sectlon supplemented by the attempts made in Europe to discredit us has very nearly resulted in our being left severely alone.
 T have no desire, and in this I know l voice the sentiments of the represen- tatives of other railroads, to see the riff raff' of Europe, who have been coming to our shores by thousands, invade our country; in fact I would work as hard to keep them out, and while there is some difficulty in separating the wheat from the chaff,' it can be done.
 Work of Railroads.