The Washington herald., 1909-04-04

are EtllB 10 90 L1lic- " DOLEll Lllt
land. under the able generaIship Of Mr..
Parker. We were able 10 make the first
payment for II. want 70 tell you that
every dollar Of that s5oo00 was received
from people who believed in this orga-
nization and who believed that this was
the only way to develop the South.
We believe we have hit the nail on
the head We have bought this land and
are going 10 put Up this building for the
exploitation of the Southern country IN
I'll the Southern country comes IN and
says. we do not want 20 be exploited any
more. We are going 10 put II up at the
center Of the nation; 20 put II at the
commercial capital Of the South; we are
going 10 put II IN the city whose business
must come from the South: the city which
is the natural financial and ofice center
OF the South. and which can never be
the distributing center, which can never
be the manufacturing center. In short,
we want 20 put II OF the borders OF the
Southland. where all local jealousles and
disputes can be avoided.
Reasons for the Endowment.
We have a great idea: we have a bust
ness idea. We shall ask loo Southern
men TO put 81 900 each into the Southern
Commercial Congress. because we know
hat when we get their $1,000 we are
going 10 have their interest and continue
70 have 81 because they are going 10
watch that $1,000 We do not propose
20 let this proposition die with this meet
ins. We do not propose to let the South
ern Commercial Congress be criticized IN
the papers a year hence, because IL has
fallen through. We propose 20 enlist the
cooperation OF the business men from
each town and hamlet IN the South We
know we can make good n our plan is
right and that we can exploit the re-
sources OF the South. I know this Is not
dream. know Il IS feasible and poss-
ible. because in my little town. where We
have seventy members IN our chamber
Of commerce. each one has given his
5000, and $50 a year for membership fees.
and when a manufacturing establishment
or other commercial enterprise wishes 70
come 70 our town. the chamber OF com
merce investigates the matter. and. IL
satisfied, says, We have looked into this
and we have stamped Il O. K, and we
have put $1,000 into It, any oae can then
go out and raise the balance Of the money
70 put the deal through, because Of the
very fact that our people say. II it is
safe FOR the members Of our chamber OF
commerce to invest in. It IS safe for US.
Fund Must Come from south.
Il am not a great believer in our get
ting the money TO develop our Southland
from abroad. OF from the North or from
the West, or from the East. Iibelieve the
money 10 develop the South must come
out OF the South. and I believe what we
need more than anything else IS an instl-
tuition OF permanent standing and hnan-
cisl strength TO stamp its impress OF ap-
proval upon any proposition which comes
up, upon any plan Of development that
comes up. and whose impress would be
sufficiently strong. sufficiently CONVINCING.
to make the Southern people believe that
such proposition deserves their notice.
and that they ought 70 put tAeir money
into II.
THAT is the way we must develop the
South. We must teach our people not 20
put their money into mines in the West.
or into propositions In the East. OF into
something else in the North. but We must
induce them 20 put their money into
our home Industries. and we can only do
that when we explain TO them what those
industries are. what the possibilities are.
This plan has been tried. and 7 believe
the Southern Commercial Congress Is
founded on the proper lines. IS a PROPOSE
ton that Is based on a sound financial
foundation. and Is destined not only 70
begin 10 concentrate the whole South 70
produce development. 20 exploit our coun-
try, but to 90 a long way toward fnanc-
ing that development and that exploita-
ton after it Is started.
VIII Make Wise Investments.
When the Southern Commercial Con
gress has Chis great home. making Il a
permanent institution. and has funds 10
invest and the man from Birmingham
comes here with his steel proposition.
or the man from Mississippi comes here
with his cotton proposition. OF the man
from Texas with his rice proposition. OF
some other man comes with another prop
osition. and presents il 10 the select board
OF thirty trustees who have charge o.
that fund. and that board investigates
that proposition and invests S100.0o0 OF
$500 coo in II. then the Southern CONNER
ciaI Congress stands in the place Of the
savings bank In Massachusetts when IL
invests IN the bonds II a railroad. State.
city. or other municipality and stamps
those railroad, county, or other bonds as
being safe investments for orphans. wild
ows, or any other people.
Great Patriotic Movement.
In conclusion. want 20 say this: The
Southern Commercial Congress Is not
local II there Is a niger IN the wood
pile I have not found II out. and I think
ought 20 know T. II Il Is intended 70
exploit any man. any section. or any pro-
Ject, have not been able 70 md II out.
The Southern Commercial Congress Is a
great patriotic movement II IS for the
purpose OF making a greater nation
through a greater South. Il has been
started by people who are willing 10
give their time and influence TO carry
out this purpose.
I'VE want you 20 understand what we
are trying 10 do. and we want your CO.
operation. We want you 70 let the people
understand that we are starting out. not
with mere hot air, but with an inteui-
gent business purpose to promote the
interests OF the South We are starting
out 70 DO that. and we are asking not
only the cooperation OF the South but
also OF every man who has investments
in the South. and I may go further and
say. who Is interested IN the development
or his country.
I'VE have a patriotic purpose and plan.