The Washington herald., 1910-11-02
The South's Development.

The SOuth's Development.
1t is very evidently an awakened South
that attracts the attention OF the country
to-day--a South that has become aware
of its own capabilities. that recognizes
the neglect of Its oppor- unities OF the past;
South determined to take it's rightful
place in the march OF progress. Atlanta,
Ga, saw a conference Of Southern bust
ness men last month, a conference held
under the auspices OF the Southern Com
/ mereial Congress; itself a comparatively
new organization, looking 10 the develop
ment OF the Southern States. In the re-
port OF that conference IL was stated:
The people of the South have realized
for some time that, while the ultimate
development OF their section is certain
the speed Of that development and their
own share OF credits and profts thereof
depend largely on their own efforts
The purpose OF the Congress has been TO
quicken and coordinate the Southern eff
forts in that direction"
This movement toward the development
Of the South is OF comparatively recent
birth II began with a meeting Of South
ern business men in this city in December.
1903 AS result OF that meeting an office
was opened in Washington from which
could be sent out public statements as 10
the advantages and opportunities and re-
sources Of the South. rhe second conven-
ton was held in washington in Deem
Der, 1909; the next convention viii be
held in Atlanta in March, 1911.
It is largely publicity that the South
wants. and it is TO furnish this that
the Washington Office IS maintained.
It is. as matter Of fact, the same
line Of procedure as that adopted by the
successful merchant who, having a good
thing 10 sell, advertises It. What the
South has needed and is now getting is
advertising. Through its publicity Office
in this city, the South has expended in
the three years since the establishment Of
that Office only s20S48.20. Now it proposes
TO spend more money ana 10 get larger
successes, for, as one OF the speakers at
Atlanta said:
Even If We spent $4,000 a year, that
figure would be trihe; II does not mean
much more than $50 out Of each county.
Suppose we increase the value Of the
South by such means Just ! cent an acre.
We increase the value or the South
ST. 900, and YOU know just as we'll as
that the creation OF demand for Southern
land and Southern opportunity will in
crease the value Of Southern lands on an
average OF so an acre, or 5000 100000 at
the very least"
And so the Southern Commercial Con
gress has come into being. and as result
the opportunities and advantages offered
/ by Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia
Kentucky Louisiana, Maryland. Missis-
sippi, Missouri. North Carolina. okla
homa, south Carolina, Tennessee, Texas.
Virginia. and West Virginia viii be ad-
vertised broadcast TO the world.
But more than that. this organization OF
wide-awake Southern business men pro-
poses 10 work for the betterment OF coun-
try roads. TO invite railroad construction.
/ to encourage and foster patriotic and ma
tional sentiment so as TO do away with
the last feeble traces Of sectionaIism: TO
promote the Improvement OF educational
and other conditions that make Tor mate
rial happiness and welfare and TO invite
immigration, SO that there may be an
abundant supply OF labor.
With such forces at work, the develop
ment Of the Southern States cannot be
much longer delayed The South has
vast forest reserves untouched; millions
of acres OF fertile land uncultivated;
enormous water-power unutilized. Her
potential wealth is tremendous, and all
that It needs is men and brains, hard
work and real endeavor, 10 make the
South the garden spot nature intended it
10 be-