Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-10-28
Greatest Prosperity Era
Faces Southern, States,
Fairfax Harrison Says

That the section south of the Ma
son and Dixon line is facing the
greatest era Of prosperity ever
known in the history Of America, is
the statement of Fairfax Harrison,
president of the Southern Railway
system, in his annual report to the
board of directors of the southern
lines.
Declaring that every economic test
proves the permanency and stability
of southern development, Mr.. Har-
rison submits a series of facts to
show that the states lying south of
the Potomac river are just enter
ing upon an epoch of commercial
and industrial supremacy that will
make Dixie a vital factor in world
business affairs.
Things have changed says Mr..
Harrison. From the days when
southern people struggled for a bare
existence they have evolved into an
industrial center which is being
viewed by the world as an achleVe-
ment."
In describing the process by
which the south has developed into
a great commercial actor, Mr. Harri-
son dwelIs particularly upon the
firm and stable foundation for it's
commerce, laying stress upon the
industrial development which he
holds largely responsible. He says:
Old Condition Compared
In the years folloWlng the War war
duced at low costs what 1T had to
sell, and sold it as raw material at
low prices, but it bought and con-
sumed the manufactures of the north
~ irrl, xIyoi ~a1, OF in.
tanned by the relatively high wages
south was kept poor. With the de-
velopment of southern industry in
recent years have come higher
higher wages for southern people,
thereby increasing the purchasing
power of the average southern fam
lily. Not only has property been dis
known in the south. but the section
| al aggregate Of prosperity is
greater.
Mr.. Harrison questions the current
belief that there is initiation and ex-
He says that, the principal cause for
sunch opinion is that the standard of
living has been greatly raised in the
soAth.
His report contains a most compre-
he1sive compilation of figures tend
ing to show the amazing Industrial
growth in this section.
There is a marked increase in the
variety of manufacturers in the
SOUTH" declares Mr.. Harrison. 1.-THE
conversion of raw material into fin,
ieshed articles. In 1890, but 528,895
bales Of cotton were consumed by
southern mills, and this cotton went
into the manufacture of yarn and I'M
bleached ia brics, which were sent to
fo ri
completion. In 1919 the southern
mills consumed 4,491,000 bales of cot
ton. which were turned into the fin
ished product without ever leaving
southern factories.
THE number of new industrial es-
adjustments now in course of con-
sturction including additions to ell
terprises already in operation, is
greater than at any time in the his
tory of the south. Five hundred and
! and nut in operation along the lines
of the Southern Railway system, and
294 industries were enlarged during
the year 1919 and the first 81 :.
amount of $225, 816, 900 was invested
in new. industries in the territory
served by the Southern Railway sys-
tenn during the three years from July
i, 1917, to June 20, 1920. and the es-
timated cost of plants under con-
$4,000" T-'''
Coicerning his report with an
analysis of the live stock, coal iron
and exports of the south, Mr.. Har-
rison comments on the astou1dig
growth of those elements of trade.
He says that they have increased
tremendously, and that best of all
thi .sincrease has been along sound
business lines, and that the indus
tries are most stable.
The cheerful fact is present"
says Mr. Harrison. that the south is
today feeling what DR.. Johnson
| called the potentiallity Of growing
rich beyond the dreams Of avarice."