The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1911-05-16
OUTLOOK FAVORABLE
PRESDEN FINLEY, OF SOUTH
ERN RAILWAY, TALKS.
c. 'tlook Declared to Be
Very observation-disclosures Condi-
tions Of Cotton Industry.

Washington, D. c., May IA
President w. W. Finley, of the
Southern Railway company, who has
recently returned from an inspection
trip, on which he was accompanied
by members of the board Of directors,
in speaking today of business condi-
tions in the southeastern states,
said:
"The agricultural outlook through
out the entire southeastern section
seems to be very favorable. While
in some localities in the southwest
en- part of the territory rains have
somewhat retarded cotton planting,
and while re-planting will be neces-
sary in some small areas, it will have
to be done to very much smaller
extent than was necessary last year.
Notwithstanding the increased at
tention being given by southern far
mers to corn and other crops, the
aggregate acreage devoted to cotton
will be somewhat greater this year
than last. The average preparation
of the soil for planting this year has
been unusually good. Farmers are
using fertilizers more scientifically
and better farming is being prac-
ticed very generally throughout the
south, which may be expected to re-
suit in an increase in the average
yield per acre. AS result of their
prosperous season in 1911. southern
farmers, to a large extent than usual,
are able to finance this years oper-
ations themselves without the as
sistance of local merchants and
banks.
conditions in the cotton manufac-
uring industry are not wholly fav-
orable, but, as the season progresses,
more definite ideas as to the size OF
this years cotton crop should bring
about a more favorable relative ad-
justment of the prices of the raw ma
terial and the finished products OF the
mills. The lumber business Is still
feeling the effects Of restricted pur-
chases on the part of the railways,
but a slight improvement is notice
able in some of the lumber producing
localities. The condition of the iron
and steel industry in the south Is
substantially the same as IN other
parts of the country. With under
lying financial and agricultural con-
ditions favorable for Improvement
in other lines, there is reasonable
basis for the expectation of an active
business as the season progress..
seThe management of the Southern
Railway company is not unmindtul
of the requirements placed upon 1t
by the increasing volume of traffic
throughout its territory. 1t Is, there
fore, continuing it's policy of improV-
ing it's facilities for the development
of business and for the movement
of traffic. IT has recently taken
steps to add substantially to It's
motive power for passenger and
freight train equipment. Its carry
ing capacity is comfortably ahead OF
its present requirements. Looking
forward to the progressive develop
ment of it's territory, the carrying
capacity of those parts of It's lines
where the traffic is not sufficiently
heavy to require double tracking, Is
being increased by the construction
of a modern system of lap-sidings
and these lap-sidings are being SO
constructed that, If business shall
become sufficiently heavy for double
track lines, they can be used In
double track system. In all OF these
matters the company is being gov
erned by practical, and not academic,
considerations, and, in pursuance CT
this policy, the management now
contemplates increasing its mainline
double-trackage at point where the
volume of traffic is heavy, and ex-
pects to be able to keep fully abreast
of traffic requirements without going
beyond or straining it's present h
nancial resources"