Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-12-19

Particularly interesting among the recent n
nual reports of the federal Government are those
showing the growth of American industries. Ger
tain lines of production, which the European war
has stimulated, will diminish when normal condi-
tions return but for the part, the remarkable
increases of the past two years are of sound and
permanent character
In fact, the country's present industrial expan-
sion had fairly begun before the outbreak of the
European war. This is indicated by a comparison
of conditions in 1914 and 1909. In 1914, the cap
ital investment in factories amounted to $2279O,-
ss00O0 in increase of $4,362, 610 900, 1877 over
1909 These figures it should be noted, refer only
to establishments conducted under the factory sys-
tenn; building trades, hand crafts and neighborhood
industries are not included.
The value of the materials used by United States
factories in 1914 $14,36S,OS9 ,OOO as compared
with s12,142, 791 900 in 19O9-an increase of 1873
per cent. In the same period the value of the
products increased from $2O,672 ,O52 900 to $24,-
246, 1928, 000 gain of 17.3.
Especially notable from the standpoint of South
ern interests is the fact that the value added to
teriaIs by manufacture increased from S., 529 261
900 in 1909 to 50 ,S7S, O00 900 in 1914, gain of
more than 81 S4S, 100000. 1t is only by building
more and industrial plants that the South can
profit duly from its rich natural resources, because
manufacturing necessary to develop the value in
most raw materials.
That the South has made marked progress in
this respect attested by the Government reports
From 1880 to 1909, for example, the capital in
vested in Southern manufactures increased
nine hundred per cent, and the aggregate
value of their output four hundred per cent. In
certain industries, the South has moved with won
derful strides. Seventy per cent of the cotton
spindles installed in the United States since 1890
have been placed in Southern mills. There are two
INN line. of
turing enumerated in the Government report. OF
these two hundred and thirtysix proitably con-
Quoted in the South.
Encouraging as these figures are they barely
suggest the Souths industrial opportunities yet to
be exploited Millions upon millions of dollars are
being lost or wasted because materials instead
of finished products shipped out of the South.
Though this section contains more than fifty per
cent of the country's total resources it pro-
duces only about twelve per cent of the pig iron
made in the United States. Mr. Arthur D. Little,
formerly president of the American Chemical So
ciety truly comments:
Here we have fundamental difficulty
which confronts the South. ton of iron
shipped as ore returns only two dollars and
provides less than days work for
If shipped stoves, it returns forty
dollars and has provided days work for ten
men. The South has been selling raw
terials. 1t should sell brain values and labor
values. 1t has been too content with shipping
crude materials and primary products and
too ready to accept from other sections the
things which it might better produce at home"
1t is cheering to note however that these con-
ditions gradually being overcome. Tech
biological schools turning forth leaders and
skilled workers. Boards of trade and chambers OF
commerce working for the development of
industries and the strengthening of those already
established. Capital is entering the South in
widening streams. Most IMPORTANT of ALL the peo-
pie of the South have new vision of their oppor-
tunities and are moving vigorously forward.