The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-09-11
EFFECTIVE WORK
FOR BIRMINGHAM
Land and Industrial Agent
Richards Talks
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS
Mr.. Richards, as Representative of the
Southern Railway, Has His
Agencies In Touch With
Deoirabe Glass,

railway system. reached Birmingham Sun
day from Mississippi, where he delivered
an address last Friday at the convention
of farmers assembled at the State Agricul-
tural and Mechanical college. w. L.
Henderson, southern agent of the land
and industrial department. is with Mr.
Richardson.
In discussing the Industrial and immi-
grafton situation with a representative of
The Ase-Herald Mr. Richardson said:
ut certainly must be very gratifying to
the people of the south to see their be-
loved section pushing ahead with leaps
and bounds The remarkable strides the
south is making In all lines of industrial
development, is attracting attention in all
parts of the world. The south Is busy;
every one seems to be up and doing;'
things have the right ring to them. There
is abundant work for all, with plenty of
money in hand to pay for the service
The great multitude of men and women
that stuck to the south in the past and
now are reaping just rewards for their
faith and tenaclty, are to be congiatu-
lated.
Splendid Opportunities.
while much has been and is being ac-
complished, the future promises great
things. Splendid opportunities exist every
where in the SOUTH There will be a
steady influx of people from the outside
world to the south. where they will find
superior chances awaiting the energetic,
active, willing man. II the south were
today receiving the required number of
people to properly improve and develop
the unoccupied places and branches of in
dustry. it would be utterly impossible to
estimate the magnitude the advancement
would reach
Appeals are made from all parts of the
south for more people. The farmers are
short Of hands, many manufacturers cam
not reach the maximum production of
their mills on account of short labor sup
ply, railroads are hampered because -nec-
essary improvements and construction is
delayed for want of men.
Not few of us remember the time
not many years ago either-when 1t was
not infrequently said that the south would
not arise from its state OF, inertia In
fact, that sentiment was so common that
those who had strong faith in the poten-
talities of the south, found 1t to be q
difficult and discouraglng work to pro-
mote developments In the south
Information concerning the openings
for people In the south, is finding Its way
into all sections where desirable prospec-
tive homeseekers are likely to be found
AS the facts concerning the southeastern
United States are actively disseminated in
the north and In Europe, 80 will interest
increase in this section, so conveniently
situated and productive.
THE south Is such vast territory. and
there are so many lines of industry being
fostered and developed, that large num-
Der Of people Is necessary to care for the
increased activities Business and i'm
provement generally are progressing so
rapidly that the heavy immigration into
the south Is scarcely noticed by the
casual onlooker. Many thousand new
corners reach the south annually-every
month there is an increase over the pre-
vious month-and yet the demand Is
greater than the supply.
Working In Europe.
THE Southern Railway company has
found it necessary and advisable to In
crease it's work In the best parts of Eu-
rope We are carrying on an active cam
paign in those sections of Europe furnish
ing a desirable class Of immigrants The
possibilities of the states reached by the
Southern railway for the homeseeker and
homemaker are being carefully explained
to our numerous European correspond
ents. Such work, as well as that being
done by many other agencies, is bound to
rebound to the benefit of the south.
I'VE have largely Increased our work
In the northern and western United
States and are obtaining satisfactory re-
suits. We are this month making sew
eral extensive exhibits of products from
the south at northern fairs and exposi-
tions. Five hundred thousand people will
probably pass through the Southern's ex-
hibit at one of these expeditions. That is
practical advertising of the resources of
a country.
1--WE should not lose sight of the fact
that prosperity reigns almost everywhere
and in seeking immigration and capital
there is always competition. Other sec
lions and countries hold out inducements
and are active In advocating the merits
of their respective sections. 1t Is. there
fore, incumbent upon us to be out in
the field early and late. prociaiming the
advantages and inducements offered here
in the south. We knowsthat our lands are
good, cheap and available; our mills
stand ready to employ all who can and
will work.
There is an increasing demand for la
Dor in our southern states. Last year
along the line of the Southern Railway
system 1916 new manufacturing plants
were established giving employment to
many thousand hands; besides, numerous
existing plants were improved and en-
larged, requiring additional help. In num-
Der and variety 1t was the greatest year
in the history of the south. Then we
must take into consideration what is
being done In developing agricultural re-
sources. New farms are being opened
UP, more farm operations started. / am
afraid some times we do not attach suf-
ficient Importance TO the agricultural pos
sibiIittes of the south. Agriculture is the
father of industry. Commerce and trade
follow agriculture.
Great Residence Section.
when the rural districts OF the south