The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-12-21
TALKS ON dixie.
President Southern Railway Gives Out
Encouraging News on South's
conditIon-FinIey Knows.

Columbia, .. C.-PFeS1oenC F1nIey
of the Southern Railway Company.
who has been in the South for the
past two weeks, in speaking of the
business outlook in this section, said:
internal business conditions in the
Southeastern States are. excellent.
Fundamentally, this is due to the gen.
orally prosperous year that our far
mers haye had. Taking all things in
to consideration, 1 doubt whether
Southern farmers as a whole have
ever had a better year than that now
drawing to a close. Cotton, the most
important crop of the South is 10
ing at prices which yield to the grow
er a generous margin of profit. The
Southern apple crop is large and
profitable. The Southern corn crop,
has far surpassed all previous yields
and is having a f~ar-reaching effect on
business conditions. Heretofore the
planter has drawn on the proceeds Of
his cotton crop to buy corn for his
stock. This year he will buy much
less corn, and, at the same time, will
have more homegrown meat. He is,
therefore. in a much stronger .finan-
clay position and is able to spend
more money on buildings and other
improvements on his farm, to buy
farm implements, and to make larger
purchases Of general merchandise.
"As a result of the good agricultu-
raj situation the outlook for retail
business in the South is almost uni
formly excellent. Dealers in dry
goods, clothing, groceries, boots and
shoes, hardware and stoves, and
merchants generally report a good
velume of business with encouraging
prospects. .
Manufacturers of vehicles and az
ricultural implements, and other a
ufacturers who sell principally to the
Southern trade, anticipate good spring
business.
1.-THE fertilizer business Of the
South is one of large Importance, and
it is predicted that this seasons
movement, which will begin in Janu-
airy will be substantially larger than
that of last year." r
Speaking of industries manufactur-
ing for the general trade, Mr.. Finley
said: -
Furniture manufacturers are now
filling moderate orders and are look
ing forward to larger sales after their
new styles have been displayed at
the January expositions in Cincinnati,
Chicago and Grand Rapids. The
Southern cotton mill situation Is I'M
even. The ~long-delayed readjustment
Of the prices Of mill products to the
higher price level of the raw material
has not yet fully taken place. There
is, however, an active demand for
some special lines Of goods. Jobbers
are reported to have relatively small
stocks. The situation is, therefore,
promising for an active business as
soon as sellers and buyers can get to-
gether on prices. Leading cotton
manufacturers believe it is not I'M
likely that such a situation may be
reached not later than the early
sgring.
1.-THE demand for iron and steel is
not active. Lumber has also been
rather inactive, but mills in many To-
calities are now reporting a brisk de-
mand and largely increased sales.
1.-THE financial situation in the
South is strong. Money is easier, and
especially in localities where the
farmers have marketed a large pro-
portion of their cotton, bank deposits
are increasing. Collections are gen.
orally good except in some localities
where cotton is being held"