The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-11-24
PRESIDENT FINLEY'S SPEECH.
BE Speaks of the Railroad as De-
veloper and Says It Is Not In
Politics.

celebrate the coming of the Carolina,
Clnchficld & Ohio railroad. Prcsl-
dent W. w. Finley. Of the Southern
Railway company. responded to the
toast "Our Railroads.
After welcoming the new railway
and cpressing the conviction that
"thc resources of our Southland are
SO great and varied, and their rapid
development is SO certain, that we
can confidently expect an abundance
of work for its transportation agen-
cics. both old and ncw--both by land
and by water. Mr.. Finley spoke of
the identity Of the interests Of the
public and the railways, and said:
"Thc topic which You have assign.
cd to me this rvcMing-~' Our Rail.
roads lis one which is suggestive of
The identity Of interests to which |
have REFERRED The railroads which
serve your community are your rail
roads in very real sense. They are
YOUR highways 10 the markets Of the
v
existence rs Il prosperous and growing
community. Great rs are its natural
resources, human existence i'm this
Piedmont region would be possible on
~ on a relatively primitive scale, and
your splendid agricultural and indus
trial development would have been
impossible without modern means Of
transportation. The railways which
traverse your section are, therefore,
y"ur railways. 'rhcy are part Of
yuu-- the veins and arteries through
which flows the lifc-blood Of youl
commerce. Your interest in tn:
healthy expansion Of Your railways
and in their ability efficiently to
handle your commerce is identical
with the interest Of a man in the heal
thy operation Of his clrculatory sys-
ten and in the unobstructcd flow Of
his blood through his arteries. Your
agricultural, industrial, and CONNER
cial growth can continue only if you
are served by carriers able to trans
port a constantly increasing volume
Of traffic. Just as the rlogging of
the arteries would be disastrous to
human life, 50 would the choking of
your highways be disastrous to your
life rs Il community Healthy pros
prrlty for your railways, therefore,
means enlarged opportunities in every
field Of human activity in your local
lty. This economic truth was very
aptly stated by 4 manufacturer of
cotton goods in your sister State of
North Carolina who recently declared
I" me that he considered every addl-
ton t" The facilities Of the railway by
which his mills were served as an in
crease in the efficiency Of his plant
and an addition to its value. What
this man said Of the dependence of
his business upon the adequacy Of
transportation facilities may be said
with equal truth by the farmer and
by every man engaged in production
or manuiacturing.'
MIR. Finley pointed out that this
view Of the railways as helpful fac
tors III economic development is of
especial Importance in region like
the Southern State, rich in natural re-
sources and capable Of almost iudc-
Unite growth in population and
wealth. Referring to the Importance
ct transportation TO agricultural and
Industrial development in the South
rrn States. he spoke nj some length
OF the interest Of the farmer in good
country roads and said:
''G""l country rua,l> increase ihc
profits of farm operations. add to the
VaIn" OF all farm property. and
broaden the social life Of the resident,
of rural communities. But the inter
est ct the farmer in transportation is
not limited tn the provision Of good
country highways. lie must depend
ON rail transportation in large meas.
nr" Tor placing his products in thrn
ultimate markets. The best market
I"r Il LARGE proportion OF his products ),
where il is available. is a nearby con.
Sumin" center. such is Il mauuractl,r.
ing town. and especially is This truc
If the industries of that town inr]udc
lh"S" which use Is their raw materials
the products of mri~hhprinw farms.
Spari@nhnr% with lis market for farm
products of all kinds and with its in.
~ IlSt t,,n Il