The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-03-20
TO PUSH INTO NEW FIELDS.
More Railroads into New Territory
What Savannah eeds.

more railroads into New Territory
What Savannah Needs.
II see the question of getting new rail-
road to Savannah to open up the country
west OF here is being discussed, " said lead
ing wholesale merchant yesterday,
In my opinion" he said, there is a
great need for it. In fact, Savannah must
nave 1t If she desires to protect Der CONNER
clal interests. Before the Georgia Southern
and Florida was built, from Macon to Val
dos0a, Ilfton and on TO Lake City, there
was no urgent necessity Tor a railroad from
Savannah in that direction, since the bust
ness was forced here. 1t is not the case now.
That territory is no longer Savannah's.
She stood idle and watched another city
take 1t away from her. 1t belongs to Ma
con now.
Even in Valdosta, Macon has the ad-
vantage, and the adjacent country has
found an outlet in the new road. They tell
us at these places, where we formerly did
thriving business, that Savannah cannot bold
out TO them such inducements as they'are
receiving from Macon. One firm in Savan-
nah had one-third Of the entire plow trade
OF the state. 1t hasn't it now. Whyl Because
the construction of the new road has taken
the territory away from it, Customers in
our territory tell our commercial men that
Macon can lay plows, nails and farming
implements down to them from 10
cents to 10 cents cheaper per 100 pounds
than Savannah can. Why Is thiss 1t is
not because Macon can furnish them the
implements cheaper, but from the fact that
her freight rate is just that much less, and
if Savannah merchants divide the trade
with her even, they must guarantee
customers freight rates; that is, they must
lose from 10 cents to 10 cents per 100 on
their sales Go to the largest Wholesale
grocery houses here aud they will tell you
that the same state of affairs exists with
them. A remedy should be applied to all
this.'
And the remedy-p
us to bring the Savannah, Montgomery
and Americas road here. It is being ex-
tended to McRae, on the East Tennessee,
Virginia and Georgia railroad, and within
lOO miles OF Savannah. | am satisfied that
If 100000 is subscribed by Savannah men
the road will come here"
How much do you think the road would
increase Sayaunahs trader
well, between 5000 and 10000 bales of
cotton that are now going TO Brunswick
would come here. Besides the opening up
OF the line will open up a vast forest of
timber which will find it's way to Savan-
nah, and enormous quantities Of naval
stores. The country from Savannah to
roads. The nearest road is the East
Tennessee, Virginia aud Georgia, which
takes tie products of that section
to either Macon or Brunswick. Should the
proposed road be extended out there, Sa-
vannah will be placed nearer the undevel-
oped territory than either of the other
places, and it is reasonable to suppose that
the trade will change and come to Savau-
nah. So that if by the building of the
Georgia Southern and Florida railroad, Sa-
vannah lest, by the building of the line to
McRae it will gain. 1t is likely, too, and
it is almost an assured fact, that the road
will be extended to Montgomery. If that
is the case, it will be the shortest and most
direct route from Saw 2nnah to the westn