Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-02

trade. Prices have been very remunerative
until within very short time. About three
months ago a decline occurred almost I'M
rrecedented in its rapidity in the annals of the
trade and surely not since that period of
wide fluctuations in all values directly after
the war. This heavy decline threatened at one
time a more serious injury to our port than
would appear at first glance.
The value of yellow pine products exported
from our port will reach during the business
year ending September /, 1882, not far from
81. 200 OOO. Now at least 100000 of this is
paid out largely for labor and freight and ma
terial in our midst or in territory tributary to
our port in a region whose interests are linked
with orr own The decline in price crippled
TO some extent small operators, and forced
large operators to curtail advances, thereby
ligniting the expansion of business. While
lumber declined in price and labor supplies
did not, and expenses could not be reduced.
acterized the Savannah, Florida and Western
Railway, over whose line the most Of our lum-
Der has been brought into the city, they at once
saw not only danger threatened the CONNER
ciaI interests of Savannah, but to the interest
OF a large part of their territory, and at once
bv foregoing a profitable rate they applied a
remedy which will, in all probability, not only
enable all the mills tributary to their own linss
to keep running, mot at remunerative rates.
but will also keep them In position when trade
revives to do a remunerative business. and
prevent an abandonment Of large proper
ties and industries that are not only
to Savannah's prosperity. By reducing the
rates of freight on their own line, they have
kept the business on their line and benefited
Savannah. even to the detriment Of 0. her
Southern ports. as is evidenced in the fact that
one of ouT largest shippers has been doing as
much business through Savannah, if anything
more than usual; has reduced his shipments
from neighboring ports fully one-half, ard has
now idle several valuable properties with the
prospect Of closing down other opera tions.
This is owing TO the fact that he can get no as
sistance from the railroad. and at present
prices it is ruinons to attempt to do business
without relief
It is to be hoped that the price of lumber
will speedily react. 1t must do so sooner or
later Georgia has a mine of wealth in her
timber lands, their product being estimated by
the last census reports at H. 010 600 600 of feet
worth several hundreds of millions Of dollars.
There are three independent outlets for this
over as many different railroads, but no road
has encouraged and fostered the industry as
the Savannah, Florida and Western Railway,
reward they deserved by liberal management,
building up Savannah as no other road
centering here has done. The large increase
of three million dollars in value to Savannah
capital during the past year is due largely to
this road
The cause Of the decline in the past few
months have been general depression in all
classes of securities and large expansion Of
lumber business, with improved facilities for
cline will cause a healthy reaction, and that
the lumber busin IS will again become one of
the solid industries of our port.
EXPORTS OF LUMBER AND TIMBER FROM THE PORT
OF SAVANNAH FOR THE YEAR ENDING AUGUST