Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-09
FORTUNE'S TIDE
s WIN GING To
SOUTHLAND
Financial Experts See All Past
Eras of Prosperity Eclipsed
by Coming Wave.

Atlanta and the South are being
swept onward toward one of the
highest tides Of prosperity ever
known in Dixie, according to repre-
sentatives Of the Bradstreet Company
in the South, who opened their an
nuaI convention here Monday morn
ing
Officers Of the company's branches
in thirteen Southern cities, covering
practically the entire South, were
present. From each came glowing
prophecies Of a spectacular rise from
the past depression of finances and
general slump of operations.
]. f. c. Pedder, division superin-
tendent of Bradstreets, with offices in
the Empire building, where the meet
ing was held, declared that Atlanta
and surrounding districts were in the
process of a wonderful advancement.
Mr.. Pedder dwelt somewhat on the
depression Of industrial conditions and
finances in this city the past two
years, but said the crucial point had
been passed and a general rise to
normal and above was on.
Optimism of Future.
Il do not see any cloud on the finan-
cial horizon of Atlanta, or, in fact, the
South in general, to cause any alarm,
declared Superintendent Pedder. 4
am looking forward with confidence to
a fine business this fall
"Our grain crops this spring were
good and l believe we shall have good
prospects for an average crop this
fall by July s. Therefore, money will
become considerably easier and we
will have passed our most crucial pc
riod.
For the past two years the South
eastern States have had a particular
ly hard time-in fact, one of the most
critical periods in their history. The
short crops and low prices of our staple
commodities have affected all lines Of
business, with the consequence that
there have been numerous failures and
a general tightening up Of money
causing slow collections and very con-
servative buying. In the early spring
Of the present year conditions did not
but vast changes have been wrought
in the past three weeks. The States
have had good rains, seed has germi-
mated WELL and the land on account
of the dryness having been well cult
waited, has afforded abundant riches
for crops.
1.-THE South has gone right ahead
by leaps and bounds. There viii be
more development in all lines, more
building, more activities amongst the
railroads, etc.
"As for Atlanta, the city has broken
all records along all lines of industrial
development, and will continue in its
forward march. Il viii surpass the
highest mark Of prosperity ii has ever
attained"
The convention will be in session
two days Those present include
George A. Follin, of the Jacksonville,
Fla, office, George NJ. Williams, Biz
mingham. b. +. Showalter. Jr.. Sa-
vannah; John A. Singleton, Green
ville 5. c., George a. Bailey Mo-
bile. William w Barns, Augusta, r.
f. Eppeison, Birmingham; Linton 5.
Lewis, Macon; +. W. Renneker,
Charleston, S. c.; Warren I. Lehman,
Tampa; John L. Wray, Chattanooga,
and Lee A. Roper, Albany.
Southern Cities Growing.
Following are excerpts from the re-
ports which they have brought from
their districts
JACKSONVILLE: In its municipal
operations and finances Jacksonville dis
plays a progressivcness. The total bank
clearinEs for the year 1912 were Sl6S,-
AZ .2ss. gain Of $22,OO9,OCO year since
1910 Industrially Jacksonville has
made rapid and permanent advancement
during the past decade.
Jacksonville herself has undertaken
the construction Of city docks at cost
OF 81 500 600. which has been done to aC.
commodate the Panama Canal trade,
which she is making a strenuous fight
MONTGOMERY: General business
in Montgomery good In an lines manu-.
featuring interest is working fun force,
and while the growth of the city is
slow, we having had no boom the IN
crease in population is steady
SAVANNAH. Prospects for the fu-
ture are good. and while the usual mid
summer quiet is noted in all lines, both
wholesale and retail dealers are op-
GREENVILLE: "GreenviHe is the
place of residence Of Al cotton mills and
through them controls textile plants
employing an aggregate capital Of
S27. 900 900. operating 100000 splndleS.
Ii has an approximate annual payroll
Of $4,000. 600 The grain crop now being
harvested IS the largest this section has
had for years. In business circles
feeling Of cheerfulness prevails, predl-
Gated on crop promises
MOBILE. Mobile Is coming TO the
front as a manufacturing and export
city Situated as she is, her export
business is gaining in volume each year.
Realty values have increased In Mobile
County around Is per cent in the past
AUGUSTA: Commercially the flu
tllre growth 0f Augusta is assured.
COMPLETION of the 40. horsepower
electric plant and vast other building
projects well as plans for future OPP
erations. have never before eQgaled the
present Local small grain crops are
reported larger than in years. Ideal