The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-15
ALABAMA AND THE EXPOSITION

reveal herself and her resources at the
 Southern Exposition to be held in New
 York in January it is difficult to predict
 That some communities will be more tellingly represented than others equally well endowed goes without saying. That some aspects of the states multitude of
 natural advantages will be emphasized more than others equally as attractive to prospective capital is likewise probable
 Florence, Alabama, for example, plans model of the Muscle Shoals construc-
 ton, together with an array of nearby
 raw materials to serve as eloquent testl- monial of the opportunities there for great industrial development and the amassing of fortunes by those who under
 take that development. Several other communities are planning to feature their assets in a more or less emphatic fashion.
 It appears, however, that there is lack of that united and organized purpose to compel public attention to Alabama by a comprehensive and complete exhibit of all she offers, from the Tennessee Valley with it's water power, mineral and agrl- cultural belt stretching east and west across the state and including Birming- ham, through the agricultural Golconda of South Central Alabama, including the Black Belt. to the Gulf Coast, with its conditions ideally suited to citrus and nut orchards, its recreational allurements, its growing seaport and its climate so invit- ing and yet so unknown to tourists. Nor should there be neglect of the magnifi- cent systems of transportation, both rail and water, which tap all producing cen- ters and hurry their products to the sea.
 The chambers of commerce of Ala bama have entered a program of adver- Using the state to the world. They have viewed the Southern Exposition as an ad- mirable medium through which to tell about the state. But it is greatly feared that the full significance of the oppor- tunity has not yet been grasped by many communities whose interests would be forwarded by proper exploitation of Ala bama's resources
 Capital and industry are now taking up their Southward march. The North is not being abandoned. Far from that. 1t is not even being depleted. On the con- trary, it is ever growing and expanding in every constructive direction. But there are in the North abundant capital and enterprise looking for fresh fields and new outlets. To these, Alabama is in position to make exceptionally strong ap- peal She can do it we'll by having the proper items skillfully arranged in her New York show window.
 Nor will failure properly to present Alabama to the visitors at the Exposition merely mean neglect of an opportunity. A poor exhibit will actually give state so represented black eye among those unacquainted with the actual facts, and facts are what the exposition should of- fer. Thousands of people are going to receive an influential impression from these exhibits. Every Southern state af- lords an almost inexhaustible variety of latent potentialities. Those that hide their lights under bushel will therefore be the poorer off.
 Consequently, it is of particularly grave concern to the people of Alabama that their story shall be complete. We want others to know of our healthful eli mate, our excellent industrial locations, convenient alike to raw materials and to transportation, our unlimited power re- sources, and our unexcelled labor condi- tions. We want others to know that our extensive areas of unoccupied farming lands are unworked, not because they are not productive, but because there is dearth of farmers. Alabama raises cot ton and yet exports most of it to mills located elsewhere, when far more of it might just as we'll be spun and woven in our own textile mills. The list of sim liar opportunities for capital investment is long but not tedious. Our new leader ship in iron and steel is already making itself known far and wide. Capital is in- terested and is on it's way to this district
 But the states whole story should be and fully told, so that visi- tor entering the booth at one side may, as he passes through, see spread before his eyes this entire Alabama em- pire in faithful epitome. The time is growing short, but much can be done in B few weeks through cooperative, co-ordi- nate and organized effort It is Ala bama's privilege to place herself in in viting aspect before those to whom our possibilities will be full of meaning.