The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-17

tnan any port north OF Cape hatteras.
There is nothing more certain in the future
than this fact: That the short lines from
the southern ports to the northwest will
have tremendous effect upon the oom-
merce of this port. Since there is a great
discrepancy between the rates OF freight
charged by the southern roads and by the
trunk lines north OF the Ohio river, the
lowness of the charges on the northern lines
injuries vastly the business of the short lines
70 the southern parts. But the rates
In the two sections are rapidly
approximatipg each other. On the trunk
lines they have already fallen so low that it
is impossible for them to go much, il any,
lower. So that the day is now not far
distant when the southern roads will be able
to meet them in active competition aud
make more money at the same gross rate,
because for the same amount of money they
will have a less distance to haul"
THE MONEY NEEDED.
what is your idea of the amount of
money needed to obtain this required deep
waterp queried the reporter.
Capt. Carter, whose efforts and works
have been of great benefit to Savannah
especially, and the state of Georgia indi-
reotly, told us that with an expenditure of
$750.0O0 he could in two years, secure
twenty-six feet of water clear up to the
Central railroad wharves above the CITY,
in all, he could make this work permanent
with only the expenditure of a small annual
sum to maintain IL. y
do the railroads take an interest in this
matter?n
"Of course they do" was Mr.. Calhoun's
instant and emphatic response. And be-
lieve," he continued, after recovering from
the establishment into which he was thrown
by the implied doubt of the willingness Of
the railroads TO aid in securing deep water
raised by the tone of the reporters ques-
ton, that Savannah has an opportunity
now that If she will actively seize, will So
cure this deep water.
III you will glance at this map" he re-
sumed, pointing TO q large railroad map of
the United States that hung close by, ''you
will see that the Terminal system, in con-
nectiOn with the Missouri Pacific and the
Union Pacific, gives a through line from
Portland, Ore, on the Columbia river, to
Savannah. Sidney Dillon, president of the
Union Pacific; Jay Gould, president Of the
Missouri Pacific. and john H. Inman,
president of the Terminal company,
all three of whom are in the
terminal board, can bring train load of
cars from Portland, Ore, to Savannah, Ga,
without it for an instant passing of the
line of roads controlled by them. In other
words, they run a diagonal line across the
United States from the northwest to the
southeast.
WHAT UNITED ACTION WOULD DO.
'If you could unite all interests in Geor-
gla in an active movement to secure de p
water for this port, Mr. Calhoun added, II
entertain no doubt that the result aimed at
would be attained. l am sure that the rail-
roads will do all in their power to accomplish
this, and will use their best efforts 10 attain
that end"
At this juncture the reporter asked
"What would you suggest be donep
well, replied Mr.. Calhoun, latter nv
conversation with Capt. Carter on our trip |
down the river l am satisfied that what is
most needed is to get the members OF the
river and harbor committee of the House of |
Representatives and the members of the
committee on commerce Of the Senate to |
come TO Savannah. Bring here, at the same |
time, the leading men of the west, and |
show them what you have in the way of |
seaport. Such an object lesson would teach |
them more than any amount of statistical |
information that could be furnished"
land what else" interrupted the repor- |
ter, would you suggest to the citizens of |!
Savannah that would help them obtain |
this desideratumf"
LET them get together and call deep |
water convention to meet here In December |
next, to consider the best method of de velop- |
ing the commercial relations OF the southeast |
with the northwest, aud to urge upon con-
gress at It's next session the necessity of |
making for this city an appropriation suffi-
GENTLY large TO give Savannah deep water
within year or two, instead of spreading |
1t out over decade
A CONVENTION WILL DOT.
II recognize" Mr.. Calhoun said, shat it
requires considerable work to get up con-
vention of this sort, but the good that it
will do Savannah would more than justify
all the expense and trouble to which her
citizens would be put. The times seem
peculiarly ripe for such a movement
The people Of the northwest are now
more than ever before evidently DESTROYS of |
closer political and commercial
relations With the people of the southeast.
As you suggest, see no reason why the
most prominent men of the west including
both those representing commercial bodies
and the leaders OF the great agricultural
evolution now in progress, could not be in
iuced to attend such a convention.
A COMMON INTEREST.
'Your papers," Mr.. Calhoun went on,
could take active hold of the matter, and |
4 they would devote columns to the subject,
as the Galveston NeWs and the Dallas
Times did in behalf of deep water for Gal
weston, it is impossible TO estimate the
amount of good such publications would
ieep water for this city should ap-
peal not only to the citizens
Of Savannah, but to the people of the entire
state. You ought to expect not only the
cooperation OF the people of the interior,
but OF the public press also. If you could
get the great papers of Macon, Augusta
and Atlanta behind this movement
and thoroughly enlist them in its
behalf success would be assured
Your distinguished representative in
congress, Col. Rufus e. Roster, has, know,
this subject deep at heart, and he has done,
Is doing, and will do in its favor all that
can be done by any one. He would fird
bis hands immensely strengthened il the
people throughout the state were only
reused to the Importance Of this matter to
them.n
sUPr. M'BEE AT WORK.
General Superintendent McBee Of the
Central was in charge of affairs at his Office
yesterday. The manner in which he has
taken hold shows him to be a thorough rail-
road man, and IL will take him but short
while to grasp the work OF the Central rail-
road. He said last night to a MORNING
News reporter that he found everything in
good shape. He spoke very highly of the
minor officials in his department..
The Richmond and Danville officials were
the guests of Mr.. i. g. Haas at his residence
On CASTOR street at tea last night. They
will leave this morning for Macon, whence
they will probably go to Columbus. and