Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1921-11-15
Being Great Cotton Center
Soil of Rich Valleys Has
Great PotentiaIities Along
Line of Diversified F Farming
BY RALPH SMITH

! EN- ROUTE Nov. 12.-No city In
Georgia better exemplifies the. i'm
portance of the market movement
than Augusta, and few lend them
selves more admirably to splendid
growth through the provision of IA
cilities for handbag the diversified
products of one of the state richest
and most fertile agricultural sections.
The valleys of Horse creek and
the Savannah river are compara BILE
in their fertility to the soil OF the
Mississippi delta, and the develop
ment of diversified farming in these
sections awaits only an initiative at
Augusta that will provide . ready
and steady outlet.
The city Of Augusta is one Ct the
large interior cotton markets OF the
world-second only to Memphis, be-
| lieve-and as such provides every
facility for buying. selling, shipping
and storing cotton. Acres on acres
of warehouses, modern congresses,
mammoth mills, leased telegraph
wires to the ports and cotton ex-
changes at New York and New
Orleans, a corps Of experienced and
thrifty buyers, big and little factors
in the cotton business, and banking
houses adequately able and usually
willing to arrange cotton credits, at
test the growth of the industry at
Augusta.
In these circumstances, 1t Is only
natural that Augusta thinks in
terms Of cotton, and the material
prosperity and happiness Of her peo-
pie is very largely influenced by the
cotton market. An abundant crop
and a remunerative price makes
things hum in Augusta. They are
reflected in every line Of business.
It is erroneous to suppose that
Nthe distressingly short cotton crop
and the unsatisfactory price haven
operated injuriously to affect the
city, but it is within the confines of
accuracy to remark upon local
spirit of push and progress that has
gone ahead in spite of Universities.
Many Dwellings Erected
| The extensive building that is in
progress throughout the city cannot
escape observation. Since January,
over 400 dwellings have been erect
ed, and others now are in the course
of construction. Atlanta alone among
| the cities of the state leads AL
gusta in the matter Of building &C
tivity.
The old Chronicle building, on
Broad street, which was Quilted by
| fire several years ago, and has since
remained vacant and a silent re-
minder of the big conflag grafton, is
being remodelled. and soon will be
dedicated as one of the handsomest
Office buildings in the state.
| The municipal authorities and the
commissioners of Richmond county
instead Of curtailing public work, are
continuing with constructive pro
gram. The Richmond county roads
are among the best in the state, and
the public streets Of Augusta, as tc
cleanliness and paving, are models
that it would porf1t Atlanta tt
emulate.
The new bridge over the Savannah
river, insthe eastern extremity of the
county, some five or six miles from
Augusta, Is progressing to compile
| ton, and when opened to traffic viii
furnish a means of Xpeditious in
tercourse between Augusta and some
4 Of the most fertile counties in South
Carolina.
The bridge, which will supplant
the old Sand Bar ferry, is being con
structed at a cost Of $210,000, o.
/ which three militia ditricts il
Aiken county, South Carolina, have
contributed a quota by the issuance
Of bonds. The federal government
has contributed 100000 to the struc
ture, and the remainder is being ad
vanced' by Richmond county.
The idea of the bridge, which will
have an elevation of 80 feet above
the Savannah river, is not SO much
to expedite and encourage touris
travel as it is to furnish an outlet fol
Aiken, Barnwell, Allendale and Beau
fort counties, in South Carolina
which engage extensively in diversi
fled crop production.
A Busy Industrial Plant
There is at least one manufactur
ing industry in Augusta that has
all 1t can de. The Southern Tire
and Rubber company is WORKING
overtime-24 hours a day-trying t.
catch up with the orders for it.
product, yet it is three months be
hind the demand. The success o.
this enterprise is source of, pride
in Augusta. It was established by
Weems A. Smith, in association
with his brothers, Julian M. Smith
Augustus mayor-elect, and Curtis
e. Smith. .s+
And notwithstanding the success
Of the enterprise, it is subject O
remark that the company's bigges
and best patronage comes from 10
calities far removed from the scene
of it's operation. It's products sci
in competition with the products o
other rubber industries all over thu
country, %but in Augusta, it seems
the economic soundness of patron
] izing home industry has not beer
impressed upon automobile owners
The success of the tire compan.
! has demonstrated the suitabilit.
| and ADVANTAGES of A1o11sta 90 .