The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-31

lips of people In all walks OF life
Whether this feeling is the result OF
q motion set on foot, through the
activity OF present residents of the
South, or whether 1t is the natural
result Of Il condition OF low values
in real estate which prevails. or a
combination OF both, with other con-
ditions Is a question for debate. That
1t exists is sure. and that 1t should
be fostered is more sure.
Campaign of Publicity.
Some years ago the transcontinen-
tai railroads under took campaign
of publicity of vast magnitude. and
they have been constantly and con-
sistently hammering along the same
lines ever since.
This work of publicity has been
supplemented by appropriations by
the chamber of commerce and COM
mercial clubs throughout all Western
cities and towns Large sums of
money have been spent in advertis-
ing individual cities and whole com
munities. The result has been seen
In the thousands OF people who have
moved their families across the con-
.tinent. Western cities have jumped
n population amazingly.
This is the kind of a movement
the South. We would like to take
IN a share Of the optimism that is
part OF every Western mans exist
ence. We want to be boosters--every
mo of U.S. We know that our State
and our city has foundation of
strength only made possible through
ang years Of steady growth; now we
want more growth, more prosperity
our foundation is u good one. our
,uperstructure will be just what we
make of 1t.
South Holds Opportunity.
Throughout the United States. es-
oecially in the Northern portions to-
lay. there Is distinct feeling that
he South holds greater opportuni-
les than any other part OF the coun-
try. and we believe that this feeling
centers In Virginia. Even in the far
Western States people are beginning
to see tho possibilities OF agriculture
in this and other Southern States.
1t Is true that the climate Of the
South IL most agreeable. and this Is
one OF the chief attractions for per-
sons used to more rigorous winters.
While these more equitable climatic
conditions have a great deal to do
with the widespread feeling that is
becoming more and more prevalent,
that the South has an advantage
heretofore undiscovered, there IL a
greater, broader and more potent
reason ut the bottom. The old Oft
repeated but true statement that land
Ii the basis OF all wealth may be
used as ono argument, and a strong
one. to show why people in great
numbers ara right now beginning to
look Southwark.
Prosperity In Surroundings.
Every city must find It's true
growth on the development and pro-
ductiveness of the lands surround
Ing It, It's man4.faatprs~A ARE but .
development. Tho land. however, 10
the solid foundation upon which each
city must be built. This fact leads
to the thought that here In Virginia
we have today vast amount Of land
that cannot easily be eQualed In point
OF productivenesS that IL q yet In
an uncultivated condition. 1t leads
also to the reflection that our farm
land that In being titled Ii on a
lower price plane than any other In
any part Of the country--acceasibii-
tx to rsady markets being consid-
cred. - =
This being the case, Il would seem
that development and progress are to
be part Of our future program Ii
may be said without fear OF refutation
that within the next few years this
state win get more attention than It
has ever had before. This under
current, this popular opinion u fast
reaching climax. Where % much
smoke II seen there must be flr6:v and
whore 10 many people are OF the same
opinion. this opinion OF itself becom-
Ing more and more general. will uiti-
mately eliminate In realty.
To help this ANAL achievement OF
progress and growth to a more rapid
we must anticipate It. we
must add more fuel. we must each OF
~ become an optfmist. a believer In
bur own State and city, and we must
let this belief be known. Talk II on
the street corners publish II broad
cast In our newspapers. etc. Let tho
other fellow know tnat wo belivo In
ourselves and IN the section In which
ne live. This spirit will De the means
through which our expections will BE-
realized.
We have . live business mems orr
EAntx&tion. we want q larger one. We
would like to see the railroads and the
towns throughout the South combine
r. pAses- tta>~ SaoStAaSgseeatxo- tlvaFextas~
|ng campaign ever carried on BY any
Isction o. the country. We would like
10 - Richmond head thu. deht. We
would uke 70 go her erow "a u the
sity that II possible for her to ~,
We want 100000 citi1ens Ii 1919
Ind ~ can sst them. This y ne
Upir1t In which 10 enter the raca.
Now that We know that the evee oe
~ countsy are upon IN ~ ouaat "a
ktaAe AAAaA Thu u aoAann - - ranvlnS 49,