The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-09-03

county and adjacent territory for the past
year, Savannah has handled the bulk.
Each year for several years there has been
gradual increase in the amount of lumber
handled here, and for the past year the in
crease has reached probably l216 per cent.
over the year preceding, which is due to
our commercial advantages over those OF
the near by ports, to perior banking facil-
tiles and the prospect of deeper water. The
increased volume of business, however, has
not brought in more money, owing to the
low value OF the product and sharp compe-
tition. Competition has been keener, prob
ably, on the South Atlantic than in any
other section of the country. 1t may be said
that every mill has been a competitor OF
every other, each cutting prices to obtain
orders. Prices have ruled remarkably low,
and especially on small stuff, of which
there has been a great scarcity. A lack of
easy orders has also prevailed, while there
has been considerable demand for diff
The midsummer business. in lumber at
this port was something remarkable for
that season, having surpassed the business
of the previous summer fully 80 per cent.
This maybe accounted for in part by the
fact that another class of business has
offered which was not enjoyed in other sea-
sons, notably, that of railroad cross ties for
the large railroad corporations North, and
IL is just here that the facilities and superior
advantages OF this port are beginning to
tell. In adjacent ports only light draught
vessels can be loaded consequently the
shippers from those ports are compelled to
pay heavily for charters, The rate of freight
per thousand on large vessels 10 much
cheaper than on small ones, and large YES
sells being able to enter this port the business
is more profitable. The railroads centering
here have offered exceptional facilities to
shippers OF ties and lumber during the past
year, and especially has this been true in
the case of the Savannah, Florida and
Western, though, without exception, all the
railroads have endeavored to meet all the
requirements OF the trade. The only draw
back has been the distance or situation of
mills bidding for orders. The near by mills
had the advantage in rates, of course, the
cost of transportation per thousand to them
being about 81 50, while to the long distance
mills the rate reached as high as So rs. The
railroads have been, and are, governed by
the commission rates. The matter of facill-
ties for transportation for the benefit of the
lumber trade is getting better every year on
all the roads, which, of course, enables
shippers to cover orders with dispatch.
shippers have never lacked for tonnage
during the year Vessels have always
offered freely at low ties.
AS to the matter of prices. there has been
little or no fiuctuatfon. The general run of
prices has been about the same throughout
the year. In some sizes values have been
lower than last season, undoubtedly the re-
suit oflarge production and sympathy with
the decline in other staples.
New trade has been opened up by ship
ments to this market by the South Bound
railroad. There have been a number of new
mills started along this route. While none
capacity aggregates a neat figure. Thus far
this lumber has been shipped here, and
shipments to this port will continue. There
ments. The demand rom New York and
Baltimore during the past year increased
considerably for both commercial and build
Ing lumber ,1I Lately business has been
slightly better with South America, and
orders are gradually increasing.
GROCERIES.
mains wholesale tobbing business during
the last year experienced probably The most
disastrous season in several years. The
large cotton crop just marketed of course
had mach to do with the conditions from
which the grocery trade suffered. The sales
In volume fell off fully l5 to 20 per cent.
Naval stores and lumber were also in the
sane boat. The grocery trades prosperity
in this section is dependent upon a success
ful and satisfactory business in cotton, lum-
Der and naval stores. The depressed condi-
lions all around during the year caused the
grocery 1obhers TO exercise q great deal OF
care and caution in their dealings with the
interior merchants, as Ii became absolutely
necessary TO scan credits very closely, and
in very many instances Jobbers were COM
PEELED to refuse patrons who, under ordinary
circumstances, were worthy OF credit. If
the volume of orders received by tobbers,
however, were any indication the aggregate
business would have been fully as large as
the year previous, providing these orders
were hlled, which was not the case, as a
great many of them had to be turned down,
Yet with all this scrutiny and care the
losses made by the trade were the heaviest
experienced here since the last panic. There
were great many failures in the interior,
while there are large number of accounts
Wnlch nave TO be carried over the same as
Tor the previous season, owing to the cheap
ness OF the cotton crop. In fact, country
merchants and planters did not enjoy the
line OF creditthey previously had, especially
merchants in the country who did not be-
GIN 10 obtain the advances during the year
from commission houses, which had been
extended freely in former seasons. The
opening up and operations of the South
Sound railroad has helped the grocery
trade in this section and has brought a
cllentage to this market which went to
charleston in former years. The business
also with Alabama continues to stretch out
ana enlarge along the line of the Alabama
Midland. Both these new lines have proven
great ietd ers to this market. In point OF
fact the railroad facilities have been very
satisfactory TO the trade, and there are no
complaints to make, which was not the
case heretofore. This con tition OF affairs
has been brought about more by the keen
competition of new roads with western con-
necttons. The wharfage question, which has
caused so much annoyance TO the trade In
previous years, has been abolished. This
was due in great measure to the liberality
and keen business foresight of the Mer-
chants and Miners Transportation Com
pany.
The sales of bulk goods in the grocery
trade have been very heavy. This has been
particularly noticeable in the movements
OF sugars, the low prices prevailing during
sugar very largely; indeed, jobbers found
dlfnculty In keeping up their stocks to
meet the requirements of the trade. The
sugar com bine has evidently helped the
condition OF business in this line, rather
better than was at first expected. The de.
mand and movements in butter and cheega