The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-12-10
EVIDENCES OF ADVANCEMENT

EVIDENCES OF ADVANCEMENT
Evidences of industrial, commercial,
agricultural and educational progress
in this section and in many parts ct
the state multiply SO rapidly that the
average citizen, busy with his personal
affairs, cannos find time to visualize
and study the effects of the general
expansion. He feels the favorable in
fluences upon his material interests,
even though he fails to realize the
sources from which the benefits come.
In the Birmingham district and ada
cent territory new high records III
quantity, variety and quality Of prod
ucts are the rule. Notable among
these was the recently announced in
crease of output in many departments
of the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail
road Company. Railroad movements
in and out of the district are expand
ing. There is more active demand for
the districts basic materials, as well
as for it's finished products. Consid-
cradle increases are shown in bank
resources and clearings. Building &C
tivities represent larger investments
than ever before, despite the costs of
labor and materials. Payrolls are
steadily growing, while the outlook for
large holiday trade is altogether en-
couraging. Unemployment is negligi'
BILE. The postal business, good In
dex of conditions, has increased twenty
per cent. over last year.
While such conditions prevail in the
states largest industrial field, expan-
sion and progress are recorded in many
parts of Alabama. There are several
promising movements to raise capital
for new cotton mills. The cotton yield
is larger than WAS expected, and the
high price for the staple largely Off
sets the ravages of the boil weevil.
Marked progress in diversification is
being made as better cooperative sys-
tens of marketing are organized and
operated for the farmers benefit.
New and improved methods of cult
waiting, harvesting and distributing
farm products are being developed
with broader knowledge and better
business methods in agriculture. In
many parts of the state extensive road
construction programs are under way
or in early contemplation. Building
operations are active in nearly every
city, town and community. Paving
projects are planned on a more extern
sive scale than ever. Additional wa
ter power developments are in course
of progress. Several cities and towns
are establishing new and larger water
works. Construction of adequate port
facilities at Mobile, which will be of
great benefit to the state, will soon
be under way. Enlarged shipping
capacity for the Warrior with even
further adjustment of joint rates in its
favor are looked for. More effective
conservation laws and a finer spirit
of observance will eliminate serious
waste throughout the state. Extensive
realty developments and commercial
expansion are going on in the Tennes-
see Valley in anticipation OF benefits
when the great power of Muscle Shoals
Is harnessed for service.
To all of this, with much more that
might be mentioned, should be empha-
sized one of the most potent OF fac
tors for progress and development OF
a permanent and far-reaching charac-
ter-a higher appreciation by the peo-
pie of the need for and value of more
and better educational advantages.
Parents, as we'll as ambitious boys and
girls; business men, workingmen, all
are aroused to the need for more and
better schools, more and better teach
ers, better opportunities for instruc-
lion along practical and cultural lines.
Education and training are necessary
in order that the vast natural re-
sources of the state may be utilized to
the best advantage for all. This is one
Of the most encouraging features in
The whole field of awakened endeavcr.
The people seem TO realize as never
before that with education come higher
ambitions for progress, more effl-
cheney, better roads, improved farming
methods, higher capacity for quantity
hnd quality of production. stronger
demand for economic and efficient
government, broader standards Of citi-
kenship-in word, advancement in