The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1911-01-13
Mr.. ]. B. Duke a Developer
His Plans for the South
Head Of Southern Power Company Planning Development Some
what Alter The Fashion Of James J. Hill and
The Northwest


cotton exports TO Japan have reached
as high as 100000 pounds in a
single year, and of this quantity Mr..
Hills lines carry fhree-fourths.
/ THE story OF cotton piece goods
which go TO China is much the same.
When Mr. Hill reached Puget sound
we were exporting G5,000,000 yards,
In 1902 we exported 1916, 200. 900
yards"
These few incidents reflect some
thing OF the capacity and indefatig-
able energy and scope Of vision OF the
man Mr.. Hills policy has been to
develop the country through which
his lines run and then depend upon
the Increased business to repay him
for his effort. That his policy has
been justified is attested by the mar
yelous prosperity that has attended
his efforts.
Mr.. Duke.
In general way, Mr.. Duke has in
mind some similar plan He is build
I ing his interurban trolley system. not
so much for the immediate returns
that will accrue. but in order to pro-
mote the building of new industries.
new enterprises. to encourage new
undertakings throughout the general
section which he serves. He pro-
poses to offer splendid service and
reasonable rates TO shippers and his
ines will be so placed that he can de-
liver the freight 10 any one OF half
dozen railroads. as he will come In
contact. among others. with the
Southern. Seanoard, Atlantic Coast
Line. Clinohheld, and Norfolk and
Western. There Is no doubt enter
tanned among broad yisioned men but
that Mr.. Duke viii extend his sys-
TEN on 10 the coast al some future
date. thus afIordIng water competi-
ton which. with the completion OF
the Panama canal, viii result In
great things for the entire section.
Marketing Cotton.
Some time since, Mr.. Duke out
lined plan for the marketing OF cot
ton goods In the Orient Having
tested out q system with the Ameri-
can Tobacco company. one Of the
most successful OF all industrial
combinations. be is in a position TO
speak authoritatiyely on the subject.
more so perhaps than any other liy-
ing man. The American Tobacco
company sells It's goods all over the
Chinese empire. maintaining stations
at strategic points with corps OF
selesmen, and today boasts Of an or.
ganizatlon that is regarded as the
equal, II not the superior. OF the
Standard oil company. This organ.
lzatlon Is the product OF Mf. Dukes
brain.
Il Is such captain OF industry
that has undertaken the development
OF the resources OF the piedmont sec.
ton OF the south with Charlotte fol
headquarters. That he will rear
profits goes without saying but be
will likewise better the section itseli
a hundred times over. No one will
assert that Mr.. Duke has not greatly
prohied as result OF his operations
In the northwest but where he has
reaped his millions, the section itseli
has rcaped it, tens Of millions.
4 Prophecy.
Mr. Duke has outlined IN a genera
way a plan for the foyiving OF tbs
China trade His agents have beer
: In the Orient and have brought bach
the word that the plan Is feasible
: They are now across the water. II
England and on the continent. nc
quiring information. and are expect
ed III the south 10 look over the situa'
ton al an early date. That ths
southern mills will fall IN with Tho
{ scheme IN believed TO be very likel,
} for u is ON a mutual basis aud vii
, rebound 10 the profit Of all Mr.
J Duke is himself large stakeholder
: In southern mills. probably the larg
; est In the south and Is familiar Will
{ tAe situation. II Is the general opin
} ion that great things are ahead. A
! merger OF cotton mills, making goods
| suitable for export trade. and includ
} ing the majority OF southern spindlei
; aud looms Is not believed To be fai
! distant. IL Mr. Duke carries out his
! asowed plan that has been recent,
; discussed In comparison TO Il n,
! recent merger In South Carollns
\ would be an insignificant thing. al
! though today IL Is one OF the blgges
( on record.
Al With rivers harnessed. generating
, power 60 operate the mills. inter
/ urban trolley freights transporting
. manufactured goods 10 all sectioni
and the coast where special steam
! ship lines will be plying through tn,
1 Panama canal 20 China, Japan AMI
the Orient. where the finished good
will be sold 10 the consumers direct
. is a cycle OF development not i'm
probable within the next decade O.
/. two.
Those who have been youchsafe,
? glimpses Of Mr.. Dukes plans, canno
: but be awed by their magnitude
And his mental processes form
, most interesting study. Ills scheme
I are SO constructed that one doyetail
I into the other each contributing 4
I the others success and all Offering
9 Opportunities for general develop
r mant aud financial ,nrichuaut TIL