Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-09

4 l4.dg
Norfolk ..--... 6l.976 79S.672 1861 3U.6s
The gross receipts Of cotton at this port
during the season Of 1SS3- S3 reached S26.-
uj3 bales. Of which amount 1906 bales
were sea island. The receipts were far
below the expectations Of our best inform
ed merchants, according to ideas framed
al the commencement of the season as to
what amount this port would probably
receive: Tor, with the prospect Of an
enormous crop. which finally proved to
he the largest ever grown. it was not I'M
reasonable To suppose that this port. with
its superior facilities and natural advan-
rages, would market not far short Of
l.QOU,O00 bales. Up to January 1st
the receipts at this port were about $1,000
bales in excess Of the receipts Of the pre-
viOus season which season 1t will be re-
memJered was the short crop year J.
showing an increase at that date Of only
per cent. while the total port receipts
during the same period exhibited an in
crease Of Is per cent. While it was not
at all conclusive that this port should
have received so large percentage Of in
crease as was exhibited by the total port
receipts. as in a measure that result was
due To an enormous Texas crop. which
had no direct influence or bearing upon
the cotton receipts Of savannah. Yet. the
increase in the crop Of the
AllaAklE NLtL--- -EutIdllN EUuCEutll- lullN
warranted the expectation of a better
exhibit than was shown. and alarm began
20 be felt at the outlook, which alarm in
creased as the season progressed, and it
was found that adverse influences were
at work damaging our commerce and
threatening further destruction if not
promptly met and checked. On the 23d
Of MAY meeting Of the Exchange was
held. which took into consideration the
Importance OF investigating the causes
responsible for the effect referred 10. The
meeting was largely attended by men,
bers: in fact. was perhaps the largest
meeting ever held by the Exchange, the
deliberations being marked by earnest
ness. unanimity and harmony. \ COM
mittee of five members was appointed 10
investigate the matter thoroughly, and
report to a meeting to be held on June
both. During the interim the committee
lab0red increasingly, having extensive
correspondence and interviewing person
ally the officers Of the several railroads
centerng at this port. officers Of the Cot
ton Press Association, merchants inter
ested in shipping business, and represen-
tatiyes Of the drayage interest. This
committee made an elaborate report TO
the adjourned meeting Of the Exchange
held 20th June, which was printed in
pamphlet form and has been generally
distributed.
The committee pointed out many causes
responsible for the diversion OF cotton
from this port. chief among which were:
First. Discrimination in rates in favor
Of points north of, and against points
south Of Macon, the geographical centre
Of the State Of Georgia, also the cOntrOll-
ing Of rates by the Railroad Commission
on roads owned and operated within the
borders Of the State, while they were
unable 10 enforce commission rules and
rates against railroads owned and
operated without the state, but which
penetrated the very heart Of the best cot
ton sections Of Georgia, giving them an
immense advantage over Our own rail-
roads, whose hands were tied by acts OfOur
own Legislature. BY the circumstance
referred to, these foreign railroads are
carrying cotton freight at the rate Of 5
cents per 100 pounds per 100 miles, whilst
the legitimate feeders to this port, under
the restrictions of the commission law.
charge 20 cents per 100 pounds per 100
miles. This injustice to our receivers OF
cotton is being Investigated, and we con-
fidently hope that rates will soon be pub
lished placing this port in more advan-
tageous position as regards competing
points.
Second. The pooling system.-It has
become the custom Of railroads, at COM
peting points 10 appOrtiOn between them
selves the business derived at such points.
The road carrying greater percentage
than that allowed by the compact re-
ceives nothing for handling the surplus,
except the actual expenses attending, the
Overplus being paid into the pool tor the
benefit of the road whose business has
been invaded. 1t will be at once seen that
this method brushes competition, there
being no incentive to any railroad to trans
port freight in which there is no profit TO
il. and this port. the natural outlet for
Georgia. suffers through the agencies re-
ferred TO. the effect being to contribute
commerce towards building up ports and
sustaining railroads not identihed with
the interests Of the state Of Georgia. An
abolition Of the system of pooling rates
would work great advantage to the public
at large. whilstIt is believed by many would
bring about war Of rates that would OPP
crate disastrOusly so far as the dividend
paying power Of the railroad is concerned.
Third. The refusal Of masters Of vessels
at this port 10 take interior compressed
cOttOn.-As soon as this suicidal policy
was pointed out 70 the merchants engaged
IN foreign shipping the system was dis
continued. and now cotton compressed in
the interior is accepted on the most favor
able terms.
Fourth. Rates tor compassionate was
claimed that the charges Of the Savannah
Cotton Press Association were higher
than at other ports, inasmuch as
at other ports heavy rebates were
made either directly or indirectly TO
shippers Of cotton. The attention OF the
directors Of the Press Association being
called to the matter they at once inyesti-
gated the same, and in a communication
under date Of October 9th they state that
altar careful iUUrliFV they find that the
rates in Savannah are lower than New
Orleans, Mobile, Memphis and Charles
ton.