The Waxahachie daily light. [volume] (Waxahachie, Tex.) 1894-current, 1910-07-05
DEVELOPING THE LAND.

II Was ohfy WV VI AhtfN y'st'
ago that the old South South Car
F., lima and Georgia especially
were seriously discussing the re-
strictions Of the immigration laws
as bar to needed agricultural la
Dor and stressing the lack OF capital
to develop the natural resources,
While this was going on, 1t seems
the eastern men OF energy and
means were slipping around ana
since been working so quietly that
some OF the older states don't yet
realize what Is going on II the fol-
lowing comment on conditions in
the New York Sun is near the truth:
lis 1t not odd that southern COM
muntties In Louisiana. Georgia,
Florida and so on that are always
pleading for outside capital. organ
izing immigration societies to intro
duce labor, and generally proclaim
ing their resources. together with
the lack of means TO exploit them,
should be blind to the great move
ments going on under their very
noses? Hundreds OF adventurous
operators with plenty Of money be-
hind them are at this moment hard
at work upon the abandoned lands
OF the south, and yet the southerneis
themselves do not seem to be aware
Of it. There are the wet lands OF
Florida. Georgia, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, Alabama and other states
where wealth beyond computation
awaits intelligent exploitation, and
In many instances men of brains and
energy are applying the machinery of
civilization to their rescue and en-
ployment. The Everglades Of Florida
and other similar districts in the
same state are under strenuous pro-
motion, great stretches of hitherto
neglected areas in Louisiana in the
Lafourche and Terrebonne coun
tries. even in the neighborhood OF
the Cher Menteur, quite near New
Orleans on the Louisville & Nash
vile railway to Mobile, are already
under habitation and conversion to
the uses of well directed industry.
Not only this: The cotton millers OF
the United States and perhaps of
E,,r al CT In al fl
lands on which to raise their own
supplies and so free themselves from
the vicissitudes OF market manip-
ulated by spectators and the crop
reports of the department of agri-
culture. While the south is appealing
for help, men from the north and
east and even the west are occupying
her golden lands and taking posses
sion of her mines and manufacturing
opportunities. While there is mus
talk in the south of navy yards ant
expos!tions and much hysterical so
lieitude Tor committees of publicity
outsiders are quietly acquiring the
finest opportunities and building IA
wealth in places ignored by tn,
boomers. To be sure, such states a
Virginia and North Carolina ans
Texas stand upon their own leg'
and flourish like the green bay tree
The south, now equipped with eapi
tai, sits by unheeding while it,
treasures slip away"
1t Is at least complimentary t,
| Texas that this state is place
among the exceptions and Is not oh
livious to what is going on or for
getful OF its own opportunities. Yc
| lected field for both development
| and reclamation in the eastern an,
southeastern sections, and If Texa
investors don't keep up with tn
times the same thing may be tru
| after a while that the Sun mention
OF Louisiana, Florida and Mississip
pi. East Texas has a great supply o
hard woods in addition to its pin
lands; II has large sections of ricl
| soil that can be brought into use b.
drainage, and the lands there ar
relatively cheap. Wide-awake mel
from the north and east are sure t
see the chances east Texas offer
and to be first on the ground 1
many places n Texans so to slice
on the job. II they do. we can't com
plain and will, in fact. have no ser
ious grievances. for this state ha
places for all who seek elbow room
whether they cast their lot in t..
Panhandle. the extreme west, tn
southwest or the eastern part
Fort Worth Star-Telegram.