The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-06-12
DIRECT TRADE---NO. 10.
COL. l. w. AVERY VISITS THE
NORTH

And Studies the Great Subject There.
weignty Facts for the Practical
Business Men and Friends OF the
South, and Others.
A letter received from Col. !. W. Avery
to-day says:
lam north to get the methods and facts
Of direct trade here.
This vast benefit, 80 much wished south
and SO often and long sought without sue
cess, must be had in a business way.
Neither theory nor sentiment will get it.
We must do it as they do In New York.
And the time Is ripe for 1t.
The thing is simple. We need no costly
companies to build ships. Europe has fine
steamers and ample money ready, and is
keen for US to use them. We have only to
furnish freight and fix exchange, and direct
trade will be done.
We have harbors, railways, products and
strong merchants. We simply need CON
certed and practical effort, and to stick to
it. All hands must unite The souths
main part is to give carRoes. Her cotton,
lumber, rice, naval stores. fruit, vegetables,
cotton yarns and goods, etc., and western
grain, meat, etc, that want a rival south
ern route to Europe, can supply them. The
farmers, merchants and railroads must pull
together.
The cotton firm Of S. NJ. Inman & Co. Of
Atlanta, Ga. does business of $40, 900, 000
aud ships hundreds of thousands Of bales TO
Europe direct, mainly from Houston, Tex,
with all the disadvantages of using tramp
ships, instead OF regular lines OF steamers,
sailing at fixed intervals all the year round,
as are needed for proper and direct trade.
The anRSmn1tC ghinfnaufg show the mRtIar
both feasible and necessary. And South
Atlantic port will be better to start from.
There is no difficulty about outgoing
freight We can easily manage that, the
largest half of the matter. The next ques-
ton is freight 70 the south, which will
make the steamers pay both ways.
How much Of the foreign imports does
the south need and use, and how much of
the imports for the west can go shorter and
cheaper through the south than the north9
We certainly use enough aud have the best
route for enough to the west to give a line
of steamers paying freight this way. There
Is ample freight IL 1t can be controlled. 1t
can he controlled with proper effort The
southern and western railways and mer-
chants should certainly make the trial. IL
will pay If successful, and success is sure to
the right attempt. Let all hands go at it.
There never was a better time. All oondi-
tons are favorable. All interests need it.
-.
The total imports of the United States
for 1891 were $685., 000,0 900, while the aver
age annual value of imports from 1881 to
1890 was $702. 000, 900, showing a remarka-
bic increase, due to reciprocity very largely
or this 1888, 000, 900. the south imported
only about $50, 900, 900 direct, or one-six.
tenth, while she uses one-eighth, or twice
as much. The direct importation of what
she uses, instead of getting it through New
York, which imports $40 ,0O0, 900, or near
two-thirds Of the whole, would support q
line. And il the west would use our shorter
aud cheaper route, as she will when she sees
It to her interest, the matter would be
clinched.
New York imports Of dutiable foreign
products, cloths and clothing, II ZOO, 900;
wools 100000; wines. 1000, 900; sugar
$1,000, 600; tobacco, 10 600 000 silks, q, 0OO,-
600; gloves, 1900. 900; jewelry, 10, 000. 900:
tin, 100000; glass, 100000; fruit and
meats, 100000; fax, jute, ETC.. &c, OOo. 900;
dried fish, 100000; feathers, etc., 1900, 900;
threads, laces, ETC., 30 .000, 900; chemicals,
l1,000,0O0; buttons and brushes, 1900, 900;
and books. 100000;
New York imports free of duty: Tin,
7,000,000; jute butts, etc. 1000, 900: tea.
100000; sugar, 19.000, 900; species, 2, 800
900; raw silk, 5000, 900; mating, z, 900 900:
rubber 10000 900; hides and furs, Is, 0OO.-
600; fruits, etc, 5,50O,OOO; chemicals and
With a regular line the south could i'm
port direct her share Of the above articles.
all of which she uses.
In this connection New York used to have
great advantage by the NATURALIZATION of
eargoes, under the Law. But the customs
administrative law has rectlfled that evil.
which enabled large New York imuorters
70 undersell smaller importers at other
places.
There has been a steady growth of az
ports, in which the south should share with
direct trade. The export increase has been
In the line Of southern production, bread
stuffs, raw and manufactured cotton, COP
per. steel and iron.
In 1891 our exports were 970 900 900 and
imports 1926, 1000, 900. giving us l42, 900 900
balance of trade. Our whole foreign COM
merce that year was !, TBS, 900 600 or Il7.-
100000 over 1890, and 330. 900, 900 over the
average for ten years.
Another good fact is that imports free of
iuty have increased from "a per cent. In
1898 20 so per cent. in 1891, while dutlable
imports have decreased from Is per cent in
1870 to ~ per cent in 1891, aud now the
free imports are the larger and steadily
growing larger.
Let the south with direct trade get ready
TO benefit by this increase OF free imports
and enlargement of exports
Direct trade will be the strongest single
means OF southern commercial lndepend-
ence and financial relief. And it is In our
grasp.
Let our southern wholesale men take
bold in dead earnest of this matter. and
Join In importing and exporting direct
Let them work for and pledge freight to
ship lines. The railroads will give low rates
OF freight. The merchants aud tho rail-
ways have the game in their own hands.
!. W. AVERY.