The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-07-10
TO GO BEFORE CONGRESS.

] X
/ the gentlemen had been members OF CON-
mittees sent from Savannah to Washington
/ to interest congress in the Savannah harbor
and TO impress its needs upon the govern
ment. 4 hey concurred that 1t is difficult
| thing to do, and something that cannot be
| accomplished in a day or week. Tie only
| way is for a committee TO gov ashlngtoA ana
| press the matter before the river and har-
! / or committee. Not simply go before the
committee and make a statement, Dut 70
make a personal matter Of it with each
member of the committee, and with every
other member Of congress that can be got
! hold of. Il may be necessary Tor the COM
mIttee 20 spend days and weeks at Wash
ington.
! NOT THE WORK OF A DAY.
| Il has 10 spend money literally. Con-
gresspnen. like other men, are very suscepti-
I bic OF social attentions, and naturally
are most inclined to favor those
who favor them with attentions. That a
committee from Savannah will have to
/ wait upon congress was decided to be ne
ceseity. It was suggested that some steps
be taken to raise fund to defray the ex-
/ pensas Of this work.
Mayor McDonough said he would cell a
meeting at Savannah soon of the represeu-
tAtives Of the various railroad systems
interested, and Of all corporations which
would be benefited by such legislation, to
take action in the matter and set the ball
rolling
Mr. Plants visit has fully decided those
whom he met and business men and public
spirited citizens generally that Savannah's
great need is deep water to the sea and that
work 80 this end must begin at once. The
people are now aroused, and there is no
longer any apathy on the subject. The
work of interesting the rest of the state,
the interests Of which are as great In this
matter as Savannah's, will begin at once.
THE PHOSPHATE TRADE.
Mr.. Plant is interested in everything that
tends TO build up Savannah. The develop
meat of the phosphate industry is in that
direction. New discoveries are continually
being made in Florida and new fields are
| opening up as far north as the Georgia
line The output Of the mines IN Northern
Florida, or a great portion Of it, must be
| shipped TO Savannah for export.
Tie Savannah, Florida and Western
rail way will make provision to handle the
phosphates here, and a warehouse is to be
erected at once in which to store the rock
Mr. Plant has decided, however, after
very careful examination into the present
condition of the phosphate industry that 1t
is best TO proceed so WY. and find out what
the business will require before any large
outlay is made in changes In the terminal
facilities. Ample room, though, will be
provided for handling phosphate shipments,
though it will not be possible to do all that
the miners and factors want.
A BIG OUTLAY OF MONEY.
It would entail an outlay of from $780,
900 70 100000 to build ware
houses, tracks and elevators for
handling phosphate rock at the Savannah,
a., tvh
Mr.. Plant says thai every facility will
be afforded, but the business, like all others.
mus. show that it requires these extrsor-
binary expenditures, and there must Be-
reasonable assurance that the railroad COM
pany is justified in making them before
such sum as will be required to make the
improvements will be appropriated for thst
purpose.
One Of the two steamships now loading
at the Savannah, Florida aud Western rail-
way wharves with phosphate for Europe, I
owing to the want Of proper facilities 81 TIE !
mines in Florida, will probably be on de- |
In a new industry like that now |
berg developed it Is TO be expected that !
there will be delays in unexpected WAYS. |
lime and experience, however, will correct |
such difficulties, ami thsre is every reason |
% look for large increese in the commerce |
Of the port from the phOspl late trade
Mr. Plant talked at some length to q |
MORNING News reporter upon the phos- |
phate industry, both IN is connection with |
Savannah and with Florida.
TAMPA FLoRIDA'S COMING PORT.
Tampa, Mr.. Plaat said, viii imposition |
Ably be, in fact 1t Is now. the shipping port
or the phospastes II South Florida. With
! deep water harbor capable OF admit
ing the largest class of vessels, and
nipple wharf facilities for handling and
oadIng the rock, which will be increased as
o as the business demands il, Tampa
fffsrs advantages superior TO any other
.vailable port. The depth Of water at
Tampa has been increased from fourteen
&c, 10 twenty feet. which is
efficient for the entry Of all
-eSsels engaged in the phosphate trade.
'ernaudina is Of course a nearer port than
savannah for the shipment Of North
florida rock, and 10 fac: of all phosphate
mined along the line Of the Savannah, Flor
d. and " estern railway.
sAyAENAH's SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES.
Every advantage. however, will be offered
ere 70 bring the product Of the mines in
bis direction.
"W hat Savannah needs. l might almost
ay most Of all things, now" sdded Mr.
Plant, Ifs deep water aud when that has
,een accomplished we NAV look with as
urancs for great CONNER se and great re-
ultsn
Mr.. Plant left last night for Jacksonville
md Tampa, and will spend several days in
Florida. His visit to Florida at this time
If the year is something unusual, and is re-
yarded as betokening something of interest
N the way of changes and new developments
n the Plant system. Mr.. Plant is looking
we'll aud strong. and appears in condition
10 undertake almost any enterprise.