Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1909-07-15
EXPLOITS SOUTH
Tells Of This Sections Com.
meTcIaI Advantages.
IMPORTS INCREASING

cPSS~h DhcStOr OaWe ut oOutnefD
Commercial Congress Says That
Ocean Frontage Of Southeastern
Third OF Union Exceeds That OF
the Remainder.
Nearly 100 Southern cities were
represented at Atlanta Wednesday
at the first annual convention of the
Southern Commercial Secretaries
association.
Statistics showing the South's re-
sources were given by G. Grosvenor
Dave of Montgomery. managing d.
rector of the Southern Commercial
congress-.
Mr.. DAVE took as his theme the
potsntial greatness of the Southern
States.
Viewed from the point OF coast
line. II Is well to understand that the
Southern States possess an enormous
advantage over the other two-thirds
OF the United States; for the coast
line OF the Southern States is 3.007
miles, while the coast line of the
North Atlantic States is SIS miles;
OF the Pacific coast 1857 miles.
The natural advantages of coast
line are already asserting their in
fiuence, for we are able to say that
Southern port still holds the second
position for exports among all the
ports OF the United States-New Or
leans in 1900-and now a Southern
port that nine years ago was wrecked
end rent by storm, the port of Gal
weston
we are able to show you thai
tn" exports along the gulf now ex-
ceed the exports OF Philadelphia and
ostcn by 81 per cent and they
oIIsl u ore than so ps: cent of tn,
tn.a. which belongs to Tue overshai
O,..ng port of New York. The tsble
of exports for 1900 and 1908 show
he's taken place in New York. Phila-
delphia and Boston regarded togeth-
or. During this same time the gulf
exports increased 81 per cent.
Imports Increasing.
In the matter of imports-goods
coming to America for distribution
you will fnd that while the three
great ports above mentioned have in
creased 81 per cent, the Southern
ports have increased 81 per cent. Is
II not reasonable to claim that the
Southern States. by reason of their
coast line, are coming to occupy an
important relation to the maritime
future of the United States?
when we consider also that all
this swing of commerce is taking
place prior to the completion Of the
Panama canal and that the Panama
canal Will help to pull Southwark
every inter-oceanic movement, you
must realize that the Southern ports
will be on the very front doorstep
OF the worlds future commercial
movements.
I'VE also declare that the rivers
OF the South, navigable. and there
fore some day to be brought into
cooperation with the energetic men
of the South, are more than two to
one when compared with any other
portion Of the United States. The
national conservation commission has
reported that there are in the United
States navigable streatss amounting
to 26,41O miles. How much OF this
-is IN the South? Over 1925 miles.
s.Tnis enormous total does not In
ciude a single mile of the Ohio,
though II dement's Southern States
through 900 miles. Neither does
this total include any portion of the
Missouri river. If the Mississippi be
regarded as a feeder for the gulf
commerce the mileage should be 49,
691 miles. This leaves only 2.719
miles of navigable streams to affect
the commercial prospects OF the re-
manning two-thirds pf the United
States.
Water Power Potential.
"The vast Appalachian range. the
greatest mountain range in the Unit
ed States. lying within the region of
plentiful rainfall, Is producing at
present embarrassed, every moment
of every day 5.000.000 horsepower.
The day Is coming when, through
conservation impulses, this water will
be used to drive the wheels of indus
try and Of transportation through
out the South. thus indefinitely ex-
tending the life OF power buried now
In the coal fields of the South.
'If you look at the estimates re-
ssrding the iron orc life of tho
United States, you will see that the
Southern Appalachian region is ex-
pected TO endure 100 years after the
Lake Superior region is stripped
and exhausted. Yet. with all the ad-
vantages belonging to the Southern
extremity OF the AppaIachians. adj
vantages so great that Birmingham
sets the price for pig iron. yet al
present only about 10 per cent oi
the pig iron of the United Sta.eS
is made in the South. Then look
,t The size and energy of Birminc