Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1910-02-11
AN EXAMPLE FOR THE CENTRAL
AND SEABOARD.

One day recently party of West
ern farmers passed through Macon.
They were on their way to inspect
farm lands in South Georgia, on the
line of the Southern railway. Their
purpose was to decide for them
selves whether the opportunities for
farmers in this section were as great
as represented and to report the ac-
tual state of affairs to the farmers of
the district represented by them. Nat
urally the Southern railway, which
had them in charge from Macon on,
saw to it that they had their atten-
ton concentrated on lands along the
line Of its roads in Georgia That was
good business policy and in keeping
with the progressive efforts of the
Southern to build up the country
through which it operates. BY just
such a course as this it has lined its
roads with farms and with factories,
enormously developing its freight and
passenger business.
The Southern knows that money
expended in advertising to the world
the openings that exist in the terri
tory served by it is money well ex-
pended. During the past two years
business conditions forced it to cut
down its appropriation for this work.
But this year it proposes to greatly
increase it. A special dispatch deal
ing with its purposes has this to say:
1t is now felt that not only the bus
mess conditions in the country. but
the local situation in the southeast
warrants a larger campaign for the
location Of industries, the bringing
of new settlers, and a general devel-
opment work, that is the resumption
in full Of the companys efforts TO
build up the southeast. In carving
out this policy, there will be a larger
use OF the trade, agricultural. and
other newspapers and periodicals Of
the north and west, the publication of
many special pamphlets, exhibits at
many northern fairs, and a larger
work in northern Europe The South
ern has found that one of the best
methods Of publicity is in the exhibits
OF the products of it's territory at the
larger fairs held in the north and
west. and more attention than ever
will be paid to this line Of work. The
south will be advertised in northern
European countries by the circulation
OF specially prepared matter, and by
the use of newspapers, in a way that
IS consistent with our immigration
laws is permitted by the laws
OF the respective countries. The
Southern has maintained for some
years European agency of its land
and industrial department, with head
quarters in London, which will carry
OH the prosecution of active efforts to
int est land seekers and investors
from that side of the ocean in the
south. The most thorough co-opera-
ton possible is to be given to local
business and other organizations in
the development of the various com
munities along the Southern system.
We can all congratulate the parts
of Georgia through which the South
ern runs on the benefits that will ac-
crue to them from this forward step
on the part of that corporation. But
one cannot help wondering why the
Central of Georgia and the Seaboard
do not pursue the same policy, why
they do not adopt a more liberal meth
Cd of advertising the sections through
which they operate, with the same
in view, that of drawing set
tiers and industries. Take the Cen
trial, for instance. How many years
has it been since it has really made
any especial efforts in that direction?
How long has it been since it issued
the beautiful pamphlet dealing with
the fruit and other agricultural posi-
bilities of its section? And as for
the Seaboard, it has issued one pam
phlet, we believe in probably ten
years or more
The whole truth of the matter is
the Southern railroad appears to re
the only one that is energetic along
these lines. 1t seems to be the only
one that believes it is possible to in
duce immigration to Georgia. Know
ing, as we do, what can be done by
progressive farmers in
this section, it seems all the more a |
pity that some enthusiasm cannot be
awakened on the part Of these rail-
roads. If the Southern road had
county like Sumter it would undoubt-
eddy advertise it to the limit And
N doing SO it would materially pro-