The Washington herald., 1909-11-21
President Finley Addresses
Salisbury Trade Body.
PINS FAITH TO COTTON MILL
Takes OptIsiLstic View of Region So
Well Supplied with Raw Materials,
Fuel, and Water Power - Thinks
Southern Agriculture VIII Keep
Pace with Manufacture.

Southern Industrial development espe-
cially in the Piedmont region"
Referring 70 the Piedmont as a region
which typihed the PROCESS of the South.
he traced the industrial history of the re-
gion through it's three periods-the first of
promising beginnings. the second OF stag
nation and decay, and the third Of splen-
did revival and substantial accomplish
ment. pointing out the UNDERLYING eco
nomic causes which had shaped this his
tory. Speaking OF this last period, Mr.
Finley said:
The lines along which the Industrial
revival made the most rapid progress |
were determined by economic conditions.
Scattered throughout tho South were a
few cotton mills. They were prospecting
under the new conditions Ample supplies
OF cotton grown in the Piedmont section
and in the nearby coastal regions were
at hand. 1t was natural and Inevitable
that cotton manufacturing should lead
the industrial advance. and that along the
railways traversing the Piedmont region
there should spring up a long succession
OF cotton mills, with thriving mill towns
and villages. The rate at which this in
hAoAAl Ahc kAVWA 40 nhWWN ~ NlAN Att-
crease from sol, $50 spindles in 1850 TO 10,
10000 spindles IN 1893. the largest proper
ton Of this increase being in Piedmont
mills.
Growth of Cotton MIL
This growth Of the cotton mill Industry
has been a sound economic development
1t has passed beyond the point where It
can be supplied BY cotton grown I'm tho
Piedmont region but it's location with re-
lation to the great cotton fields Of the
coastal region and the Mississippi Valley
is an element of great economic strength.
Mr.. Finley expressed confidence in the
continued growth Of the cotton mill in
dustry in the Piedmont and mountain
regions along the line OF greater diversi-
fcation Of production. especially In the
direction OF manufacturing the finer
grades OF goods. After speaking Of the
woodworking industries OF the Piedmont
and Of the ability OF their products 10
make their way on their merits in COM
petition with the products Of other wood
working centers, ne said:
Just as I believe that diversified agri-
culture Will be an important factor IN
the future prosperity OF the farmer OF
the South, so, Mr. Toastmaster. I be-
leve that the widest possible diversified
tion Of manufacturing should mark your
Industrial policy I do not believe that
any existing Industry should be neglected.
but I am convinced that the progress Of
the Piedmont section as a whole will best
be advanced If the growth Of existing in
dustries can be accompanied by the build
Ing up OF new lines Of manufacturing.
Greater diversihcauon should be your
next step forward and conditions are IA
vorable to it."
VIII Use Local Materials.
He expressed his belief that one diree-
ton diversihcation would take would be
that Of building up Industries using as
their raw materials the finished products
OF existing industries and suggested thar
a greater proportion OF the cotton goods
manufactured in Southern mills should
be finished in the South. and that the
finished goods should be manufactured
into garments ready for the final buyer.
In the same way the leather produced by
the growing tanning industry should ba
made into boots and shoes. harness, belt
ing. and other goods I'm the South 10 a
greater degree, and the Woodworking in
dustry, already varied. should be stlU fur
Their diversified, especially IN the dlrec-
ton Of making articles in which wood ,s
used in combination with metals such as
agricultural implements and machinery.
Referring 20 the Importance OF mower
and transportation as economic factors
Mr. Finley pointed out that the Pied
mont had both and said:
within easy reach are coal supplies
sufficient 20 turn the wheels of industry
in the Piedmont region for centuries.
and in the water power possibilities OF
this section you have an economic force
that Is capable Of very large and profit
able development, believe that we
should bring to the aid OF Southern de-
velopment all the latent resources. OF our
section. The use Of coal will continue
and will increase, but IN this day. when
the hydro-electric engineer harnesses
stream force and delivers the power
wherever It is needed. no one acquainted
with the splendid water power POSSIBLE
tics OF this section can fail to appreciate
that their development will play a most
important part in your future progress.
Has Transportation TO Markets.
The Piedmont has transportation facil-
tiles TO the markets or the world. The
existence OF these facilities was largely
instrumental in making possible your in
dustrial revival on a large scale With
out them your Industries would have had
restricted markets scarcely larger than
those which were open to your manu-
facturers at the beginning OF the last
century Having no navigable streams,
the Piedmont must rely for the primary
transportation Of all It's products upon
railways. Those intrusted with the man
agement OF your railways have been in
full sympathy with the progressive spirjt
Of this region. So far as thev could
properly and reasonably do so, they have
co-operated with you.
They nave aided n securing the loca-
ton OF industries and in the opening I'D
or markets, and they have striven earn
estly % increase their facilities 60 ne 20
keep pace with your rapidly increasing
demand for their service Your present
interest in transportation is IN the con-
tinued Increase I'm facilities. Monumental
passenger stations and other improve
ments more ornamental than useful NAV
be desirable from an sartistic viewpoinf
but. in the present stage OF railway de-
velopment and in tho present state Of
mo resources OF your carriers. your pri-
mary and most vital interest Is In the
concentration Of railway energy and av-
pendftures on the provision OF Increased
and improved facilities for the actual
carrying Of traffic. and for It's prompt and
satisfactory handling at terminal points
Seek Such Improvement.
Such improvements your railways are
striving TO give you To aid them in do
ing so, they ask the support of the intel
ligent and constructive public opinion Of
the Piedmont, They ask this not only in
their own Interest but in that of every
individual IN this region. the future devei-
. -.