The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1920-03-14


in this section the past week reveals
the largest volume of business record
ed in Columbus in years. Fifty thou
sand dollars worth of property
changed hands or was contracted to
change hands. The outlook for the
future is the most optimistic in al
our history, and il present prospects
are realized, Columbus population
will be fifteen thousand before the
year is over.
Referring to the matter of popula-
tion, it is we'll to take look at the
recent census. The figures will show
something over 11,000 population
The census ten years ago showed
1898. Columbus shows healthy
and substantial growth of twenty-five
per cent, but if a thorough enumera-
ton had resulted, it is believed that
our figures would equal the twelve
thousand mark.
Referring further to the census, it
is well to observe that there was an
apathy and indifference to the work
of enumerating the population all
over the country. People are 50 en-
crossed with the problems of re-
construction and the opportunity of
making money in the flood tide of
prosperity now sweeping the country,
that the work Of counting anything
but money received little attention.
In certain counties in the state it was
impossible to secure enumerators, and
even in this county enumerators were
only secured at the eleventh hour.
Notwithstanding our large loss of
colored population, the figures will
show substantial gain.
j i I.
How are twelve thousand people to
be housed in facilities for ten thou
sand? This brings up the very vital
problem of more houses. One of the
large real estate agencies in this city
already has long waiting list, and
applications for houses are being
turned down daily. What are these
people to do daily, and on the first
of September, when the end Of the
As.roEtal Eaav veeeurs 2.s Iheysarc hafe,
and more are coming each day. Their
presence is essential to the welfare
of the whole community. They are
in our social and commercial and in
dustrial and economic life. Building
for them, with the present scale OF
values, is out of the question They
can't be turned in the street. More
houses are absolutely necessary if
the city is to realize upon its oppor-
tunity. Some company or individual
must take the initiative and build
The sooner the better.
+ + =
The realization of the beginning Of
the oil well in this section has slim
ulated values all over the county.
There is really more interest taken in
our oil prospect outside of Columbus
than here. 1t is psychological truth
that the stranger will see opportu-
mites passed up by the man familiar
with them, and because of this tru-
ism many outsiders have been here
looking over the situation. They do
not come with any flare of trump
cts, but they come in, get mental
picture of the outlook here, spot a
few good things, and are waiting de-
velopments, with the purpose to get
in at the proper time. Prospectors
are here; business men have been
here, and already several would go
in now, only no location is available.
There are to be number of changes
on the first Of September.
+ + /
The RELAXATION of the oil industry
in this section, with the knowledge
that more than one well will be bore /
in determined effort at oil explora-
ton; the knowledge that the great
gravel resources of this section are
to be developed, with probably mil
lion dollars Of product from both of
the pits here, one road gravel and the
other concrete gravel; the rebuilding
of the Mayo corner, involving an in
vestment of probably a hundred thou
sand dollars; the development Of the
timber industry in the enlargement
of plants here and the building Of
innumerable mills in the county; the
probable development Of the Tom
bigbee Mills upon a large scale; the
city paving and improvements; the
building Of new homes imperatively
needed; the sale of lands, and the
inflow of good people; the perma-
nent establishment of additional fac
tories-al make for an era of pros
perity never equaled before.
+ + =