The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-12
new OR[EAN;W|[L
HAVE E)OS|T|ON
Panama Canal Celsation Is
Put on Practicaiasis
THE SOUTH WILL eoFIT
Spirit of Enterprise Is Wo.. To-
ward Great Exhibition Nc
sources of the South WI
Canal Is Opened
THE SOUTH WILLROFIT
BY WALTER PARKER

New Orleans, April 11.-Specialrbe
worlds Panama exposition enterprise
been launched on a practical bas :,
strong and representative stock COM,
has been organized with 100000 in
treasury to cover the expense inciden
the raising of 100000, and a test
sentiment among Louisiana men of
fairs has demonstrated a general desl
among property owners to vote a stat
wide tax to cover the big amount. TIL
100000 was made up by individual volun
tary subscriptions and was not the re-
suit of solicitation. Promoters of the en-
terprise expect to sell 81, 900, COO of the cap
ital stock of the exposition within 30 DAYS
following the commencement of organ
lied effort, to secure 100000 from direct
taxation from New Orleans and from
Louisiana, at least 100000 as q starter
from the federal government and smaller
sums from the various states. The esti-
mated outlay is between s170OO,OOO and
SIC, 100000 The cooperation OF the fed
eral government is looked upon as as
sured, and the direct and prompt as
sistance of at least 25 states is counted
upon as a certainty.
The point of view in New Orleans and
Louisiana is striking to say the least.
New Orleans is known throughout the
world as a carnival city, a place of
pleasure and good fellowship. The de-
mand for the worlds Panama exposi-
ton comes not from a spirit of good fell
In hut -
better commercial conditions throughout
the valley. Advocates, therefore, expect
the dominant influence of the exposition
project to serve as a great educator and
molder of public opinion to the end that
obsolete trade customs may the sooner
be replaced by the most highly developed
methods, that obstacles in the way of
commercial enterprise may the sooner be
removed, that Louisiana and New Or
leans, in advance of the opening of the
exposition, may become, in a practical
way, the most attractive section possible
to the investor, the homeseeker and to
the opportunity desiring business man.
In the broader aspect the idea. here is
to pave the channels of commerce be-
lWtcH NOTln ana COuLn America
the gateway to the great valley.
Already New Orleans has invested some
SAC, 900 900 or $50. 100000 in the enterprise in
the shape of modern wharves and land
ings, good streets, public owned railroads
between the railroad terminals and the
steamship landings, modern sanitation for
the city as protection against epidemics.
have recently gone into the construction
of modern buildings. Still other millions
are being used in draining and reclaim
ing all the low lands surrounding the
city
Truly, the spirit of enterprise is abroad
in New Orleans and in Louisiana, and
the vigorous demand for the world s
Panama exposition is the effect of a
cause rather than cause itself.
At the organization meeting held in New
Orleans Thursday night prominent men
from every parish in the state co-operated
to the fullest extent with the citizens of
New Orleans. Strong resolutions were
adopted indorsing the project and call
ing upon the legislature to give the peo-
pie of Louisiana an opportunity to vote
tax.
Speakers at the meeting pointed out
directly interested, the benefits to follow
reach every section of the country, as
the event would celebrate the opening up
of many new and very valuable markets
for American products.
Commerce follows the channels of least
resistance. Artificial obstacles once re-
moved, the currents of 5000 miles OF
navigable streams which empty their
waters into the gulf will develop a mon
ster commerce which, passing through
Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and
other states, will carry with it many d.
rect and indirect benefits. The drift OF
trade this way will create increasing de-
mand for southern products, increasing
requirement for southern land, greater
opportunities for southern citizens, all
of which will mean greater revenues to
citizen, city, town, parish and state, con-
sequently will result in better roads, bet
ter schools and better conditions gener-
ally. Such is the prospect. and upon this
prospect, plus civic pride, Is founded
the enthusiasm of the state as well as OF
| the city of New Orleans.