Evening star., 1925-02-21
South to See Greatest Growth
In Next 25 Years, Babson Says
Relieres More From North Viii Record
Observation-Disclosures Pres
ent Conditions.

other forest products, and may ulti-
mately grow most Of the pulp used
for papermaking, while in the mean
time these States possess the great
Mississippi River, the largest water
way in North America
Arkansas is raising wonderful cot
ton, which is making the finest auto
mobile tires; Oklahoma Is supplying
US with oil; while Texas is an en-
pire in itself, the possibilities OF
which have not yet been scratched.
When one considers the statistics on
these IL States, he Is astounded with
their natural resources, the amount
of available land and their per-
centage of growth. All the soutn
needs is some more people Win
character, energy and capital. The
latter especially. is needed because
the South already has a population
unsurpassed in character. Money
however, is scarce. longtime loans
at reasonable rates of interest are
very difficult to get in most sec
tions, although the security offered is
perfectly good.
Temporary slump Noted.
OF course we all know that present
business conditions are not now up
to normal in many southern states.
The South has suffered with the rest
of the country. Briefly, the situation
is as follows:
North Carolina-Presen tendencies
not altogether satisfactory, but I'M
provement is in sight. Road construc-
ton and new building continues to
give employment to most resident
craftsmen, but the textile industry
has been very quiet, resulting in con-
sidera BILE unemployment among textile
workers. Statistics, however, forecast
q better textile year for 1925.
South Carolina-Improvem slight
but steady. In general way the
same comments made for North Caro-
lima can be made for South Carolina
also, although the cotton crop OF
South Carolina was Off only SO per
cent In value, compared with 4 de-
cline of As per cent in the case Of
North Carolina The outlook for both
States is better for 1925.
Georgia Conditions Improve.
Georgia-Improvem has been in
terrupted by textile conditions, but
all are looking forward to a better
year in 1925. The cotton crop in
Georgia increased in value over 1s
per cent compared with last year,
while corn showed an increase Of 7
per cent and tobacco of over 100 per
cent. Were 1t not for the textile
situation Georgia would have had an
extra good year in 1924, and, with
the improved textile outlook. all are
looking very hopefully to 1925.
Florida-CitruS market runSatisfac-
tory, but new construction and gem
eral growth very great. From an
economic standpoint Florida may be
called the newest State in the Union,
and hence has many problems to
solve, including the preservation and
canning of citrus fruits and juices
but the State is now attracting the
attention Of capitalists from all over
the country. These men are bringing
so much new money into the State
that local conditions are Of secondary
Importance.
Alabama Industry Picks Up.
Alabama-All tendencies favorable,
with better feeling in the iron and steel
industries, coal mine and lumber. Ala
bama is the Pennsylvania Of the South,
while Birmingham may some time out
rank Pittsburgh in population and
wealth. With its great undeveloped re-
sources of all kinds-including q water
power which rivals Niagara-this State
has great industrial possibilities. AL
though 1924 has been quiet in Alabama,
as in many other localities, the State Is
sure to benefit greatly from all i'm