[Heyworth]

Similarly, the shipping industry developed in the NE for many reasons, but simply put, that was where the people who knew best lived.

But earlier up the thread you cite Johnson as claiming that the fact that northern industry didn't build factories in the south was part of a sectional conspiracy to keep the south down.

[Michael.SF.]

you cite Johnson as claiming that the fact that northern industry didn't build factories in the south was part of a sectional conspiracy to keep the south down.

We are comparing apples and oranges. The shipping industry started and was strongest in the North for many reasons. While the general industry Johnson refers to are machining complexes and other industrial manufacturers who when given the opportunity to expand chose not to expand to the south but instead to the west.

[mac_truck]

I pity the fool...