The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1909-12-02
INDUSTRIAL EXPANSION.

For q Year-An indication OF what
Is Being Done In Southern Develop
ment.
The showing made in the fiscal
year, ending June Both last, OF the
new industries, additions to estab-
lished industries and the expendi-
lures for improvements OF various
kinds in the cities and towns along
the Southern Railway and the Mobile
& Ohio Railroad, is a remarkable
one, when it is considered that the
period covered includes the last hall
OF the year 1908 and the first half OF
the present year, a time when the de-
mand for manufactured goods of all
kinds in this country was at low ebb,
and capital was hard to find for new
investments OF any kind and in any
portion OF the country. Some OF the
figures for the industrial investments
along the Southern Railway have
heretofore been published. They show
total OF 453 new isdustries, calling
for an investment of $2O,413, S35.
and additions to existing industries
costing S7,ss3,936. In the same
period there were put under construc-
ton new industries to be completed
later in which $6,473,OOO will be in
vested. Since the close of the South
ern's fiscal year there has been a
steady Improvement in all business
conditions, manufacturers and Oper.
ators OF mines have felt warranted in
renewing plans for new plants and
capitalists and bankers have been
more ready to supply needed funds
for industrial investments. The new
industries begun in the last half OF
1909 greatly outnumber those begun
in the first half of the year, so that
for the first time in two years the
normal industrial advance OF the
Southeastern States may be said to
be under way. 1t is confidently ex-
pected and all the Indications show
that the present year will greatly ex-
coed the past in the amount of facto-
ry building and in the investments
made in all kinds OF industries. That
over $2S, 100000 should be invested
in industrial development in the peri
cd covered, along one line of road in
| the Southeast shows in the most
marked manner the advantages OF
that section for various lines OF in
dustries.
The. growth OF industries along the
line OF rhe Mobile 4 Ohio railroad
was also marked. In the stretch OF
l 900 miles OF territory covered by
that road there were constructed in
19OS-O9, ending June Both, 55 new
industries, at cost of $2,123 GOO,
while additions to existing plants
raised the investment $2,254, 100.
The figures from the two lines show
duplication at four or FIVE points
Taking out these the two lines show
an aggregate Of 4S9 new plants cost
ing $21, 149,535 and a total invest.
ment in Industries OF $35, 8O9,O71
including the amount which went
into new industries under construc'
ton on June 80, to be completed at
a later date.
In general improvement during the
year there were invested along the
Southern Railway $50, 315, $50, max
ing the total amount invested in al
improvements for which statistics
are gathered SOB, 186,O51. The ag
gregate amount invested along the
Mobile & Ohio Railroad was $12,.
S37, $50. 1t is noteworthy that dur
lag the year along the Southern
S3,8O2,2SO were spent for new
schools, 81 1856, 115 for new churches
$1O,27O,S1S for business structures
$32, 212,936 for new residences. AT
the same time the amount expended
for public improvements was $5, $685..
391 on streets, $3,53O,283 on sew
ers, $3, O6O, 2O4 for water works and
water supply of towns and cities
These figures show in the most con.
elusive manner the growth OF the
South in wealth and ability to make
needed improvements as we'll as the
continued expansion of it's business
There were built in the twelve months
along the line Of the Southern Rail
way, in cities, towns and villages, nc
less than 13, 900 residences.
The statistics are not available to
show just what the gain has beer
during the year agriculturally, bu
that the same advance in agriculture
has been made as in the various in
dustries is certain. Indeed, there wa
probably a much greater advance
The statistics published by the United
States department OF agricultur
show in the nine Southeastern States
through which the Southern Rail
way and the Mobile & Ohio Railroad
run, returns from the staple crops @
cotton, corn, wheat, oats, potatoes
hay and tobacco in 1908 of $S6S,
100000. 1t is we'll known that tn
greatest advance is taking place il
the methods of cultivation, soil pre-
servation, crop Investigation, an,
in everything which goes to the pros
perity of the farmer; and also tina
on Southern farms more and NOR
conveniences and improvements G
all kinds are being added, while tn
great value of Southern soils are be
ing demonstrated as never before
There has been steady movemen
OF the people from the North. an
the Northern European countries, t
the territory reached by the lines
This movement is gaining all tn
time, as the value of the SOuther
farm lands become better known.
In the past eight years there ha
been invested in industries along tn
,, Southern Railway and Mobile & Obi
, Railroad the enormous amount {
, $15S, 100000. This great industr
, al expansion has come because tn
resources and other conditions whic
, effect industrial development ar
found to the best advantage in tn
Southeastern States.
It's always the last word tina
, brings on the first blow.