The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-01-27
SOL HA As' REPLY.
He Answers the Charges Concerning
Diverted Cotton.


Diverted Cotton.
Sol Haas, traffic manager of the Rich
mond and Danville railroad, appeared be-
fore the members of the cotton exchange
yesterday to answer the charges that have
been made Of the diversion Of cotton from
Savannah to Norfolk and West Point.
At the conferences about seventy-five men,
bers of the exchange were present to listen
to what Mr.. Haas had to say.
President Minis presided. Mr.. Haas
Assistant Traffic Manager CUP of
the Richmond and Danville, Presi-
dent Alexander aud Gen.
Freight Agent Whitehead of the Central
railroad and Traffic Manager A. D. Owens
of the Plant system occupied seats at the
table with President Minis.
General Passenger Agent Taylor and
General CLAIM Agent Halsey of the Rich
mond and Danvile, Supt. Fleming OF the
Savannah, Florida and Western, Assistant
General Passenger Agent Hardwick and
Agent Wilkinson of the Central were also
present.
OBJECT OF THE CONFERENCE.
President Minis stated the object of the
meeting which was for the purpose of n
conference with Mr.. Haas, who desired to
deny the report as TO the diversion of COT
ton from Savannah by the. Richmond and
Danville and to answer any complaints of
the kind or any questions upon the subject
that might be put to him,
Mr.. Haas began by saying that it might
be detrimental toH-Savannah's interests to
allow the reports which were going the
rounds with regard to the diversion Of
traffic from Savannah to 60 uncontradicted.
He said he was ready TO show that they are
not true. AS the best means of getting at
the subject, he suggested that il any cotton
shipper or factor had any complaint to
make of cotton which he should have re-
ceived being diverted from Savannah, he
would be glad for him to make the COM
plant.
MR.. HAAS STATEMENT.
No one seemed inclined to ask Mr.. Haas
any questions and he proceeded to read a
statement of the cotton movement by the
the Central railroad thissseason up to Jan.
%, as follows:
Movement from Central railroad proper.
104 900 bales last year, 107, coo bales this
year.
Movement from Augusta and Savannah
railroad, $4,000 bales last year, Il, 900 bales
this year.
From Augusta--44.O 900 last year, IS, 900
this year.
Movement from Georgia railroad last
year, 1000, this year 10000.
From Athens to Savannah last year 800
bales, this year 5000 bales.
Macon-Last year 1900 bales, this year
10, 600 bales.
Atlanta division last year $4,000 bales,
this year 20, 900 bales.
A number of other comparisons were
given, making IN all this year total move
meut $50, 900 1S90-'9t, So, 900 lS91.92,
The receipts at the Atlantic ports are as
follows:
Savannah this year $4,000, against
$50 900 last years., 900 bales decrease.
Charleston $4,000 this year, against
339. 600 last year-59, 900 increase.
Norfolk 40, 900 this year against A. 900 last
year-a decrease of 1000 bales.
West Point 243, 900 this year, last year
253, OOO-a decrease of 10000 bales.
WHERE sAvANNAH's COTTON COMES FROM.
Mr.. Haas said he had only given the im-
portant points from which Savannah draws
her cotton. The statement showed that the
Richmond aud Danville brought %, 900
bales Of cotton out of Augusta this wear.
against A, 900 last year. The explanation
of this is not that the cotton went to Nor
folk or West Point. but to Charleston.
Charleston has received AZ. 900 bales Of cots
ton from Augusta this season.
Charleston" said Mr.. Haas, ''seems to
have increased just about what Savannah
has lost. We lost about 10000 bales at
Columbus. These were our principal
| losses"
Mr.. Haas explained these losses.
"As you all kRow,n he said, cotton has
not been handled so much on through for
eign bills of lading this season. Ii has been
shipped mostly local and rehandled at the
ports. This is beyond our power to control
| unless some of our friends here can think of
| some scheme to overcome it. 1t would cost
US much money to compete with Charles
ton. Ocean rates have been Ia wer
from Charleston every day this season than
from Savannah, not less than cents lower
any day and sometimes s to 10 cents lower.
suppose these ships were there and wanted
the cotton and quoted lower rates to get it.
FIXED THEIR OWN RATES.
IL has been suggested that the railroads
into Charleston must have helped the ships
reduce ocean rates by shrinking the inland
rates. We have inquired into this aud
cannot lind any confirmation of il. We are
then told that the East Shore Terminal Com
pany has something to do with it. That
may be true. and If so, it rests with you to
investigate and adopt some method to over
come the disadvantage here. | think the
loss at Savannah due TO that fact. I be-
lieve at least 1905 bales from Augusta
and vicinity have gone to Charleston. | do
not find that there is any reason why the
ocean rates from Charleston should be lower
than here