The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-04-13
DUDLEY SAYS SOUTH MUST DO ITS PART
 IN FEEDING NATION
Prominent Hotel Man Says This Section Has Never Before Had Such
 Opportunity

distinguished visitor to Birmingham through his modesty, aided by the fact he is one of the owners of the Tutwiler hotel, who has managed to keep himself in hiding at that hotel since Monday, was caught lounging in the Tutwiler lobby yesterday noon, and though it was a had job he was made to talk It is hard to believe that he Is from Niagara Falls, N. r., instead of somewhere in the sunny south" Judging from his Knowledge of agricultural conditions in Alabama, and of the bearing on the worlds progress of that national vocation.
 This unassuming man Is Frank A. Dudley, vice president of the United States Hotel company of America, which corporation operates IA of the largest hotels in the United States.
 When asked what he thought of the south, the progress being made and the future that could be safely anticipated, and the foundation for such hopes, MT. Dudley said
 We must always remember the funda- mental base of all wealth in the south is it's agriculture. While that may not be so apparent to a resident of the Biz . mingham district, it is such an essential truth that even the manufacturer ought to keep it uppermost in his mind.
 Never in the history of the south has such an opportunity presented itself fer large profit in farming. Acre for acre, the soil of Alabama will give as good re- turns under intelligent cultivation as the so-called fertile districts of the north.
 The state of Ohio, now one of the greatest manufacturing states of the north, was first a great agricultural state. Manufacturing and commerce all ways come in the wake of successful agri- cultural development. During the war period particularly and for sometime to come, the efforts of the north and east will of necessity be largely devoted to west we will have to look not only to feed ourselves, but to assist in feeding the people of the warning nations. Therefore. I cannot but feel that the agricultural and banking departments of Alabama, assisted in the most effective way by every commercial and industrial effort, should be directed to mobilize the agricul- tural resources of the state It will mean not only increased wealth rightly distrib- uted, and more contented population, but greatly increased land values. We have had an era of manufacturing and commercial prosperity, a big stock mar ket which have always been the fore runners of increas sed land values.
 'The selection of Mrs. Mathis to assist in inducing diversified farming is a splen- did thing. Her work has attra cted the attention of the whole country. We know of her in New York. But she cannot do 1t all.
 "The agricultural sections of the state should be divided into districts and an inventory made of the agricultural "a sources of each district, and the proper influence and assistance given to see the available land is planted and with the right kind of crops. and some method do vised for financing those farmers whose financial condition either through mis- fortune lack of implements and an;- mas prevent them from making a full crop. The land bank system should be made available wherever possible Per haps the banks of the state. which have already done splendid work, could be persuaded to assist in establishing some system Of financing crop production.'
 MT. Dudley will leave the city today for his New York home He Is very much in love with Pirminehan. especially the eli mate and the delightful spring weather that he has enjoyed here.