The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-12
DIRECT TRADE.
BIGGEST STEP OF ALL BEING sue
CESSFULLY TAKEN.

A Visit to the Atlantic Ports-The
Organized Move of the South At
lantic Trade Boards to Get West
ern Exports Means Big Things.
BYI. W. AVERY.
A visit Just made to Savannah and
Charleston shows that direct trade, so dear
to the south, vital to her interest, needful
TO the west and of value to the whole union,
after repeated partial victories, is steadily
moving to final success.
The Savannah Board Of Trade. perhaps
the strongest commercial body in the south,
had its tenth annual meeting Wednesday,
March 80, aud the able president. Capt. d.
G. Purse, thus officially reports of the last
great step in the effort for direct trade,
namely. the organized plan Of the trade
bodies Of the South Atlantic ports to swell
southern exports abroad with some Of the
vast volume Of western stuff now going to
foreign lands by other routes.
After commencing the agitation and en-
phasizing the aid given the move by the
Savannah exchange, President Purse adds
these strong words:
"Apropos to this direct trade movement
comes the recently started inquiry from the
ports Of Brunswick, Charleston and Savan-
nah in convention assembled at Savannah,
as to what steps are necessary to direct some
part of the grain shipments to Europe
through South Atlantic ports. The rail
roads centering at these ports are in full
sympathy with the inquiry and are aiding
1t in every possible manner. The west aud
northwest are also moving on the same line
of investigation, and it does not seem i'm
probable, with changes constantly
occurring to increase our advantages,
that this fell and winter may see
movement Of western products through the
South Atlantic ports that may be far-reach-
ing in their commercial results, ana be che
means Of realizing through western and not
eastern influences the dream of southern
statesmen and economists for more than half
a century-A self-sustaining direct trade be-
tween the ports Of the South Atlantic aud
those of the great merits Of the world by di-
rect lines of sail or steam, or both. Export
of grain added to the present phenomenal
export trade OF Savannah would soon
draw to itself imports for the west
and make economical and practicable
an enlargement of it for the cities
III the Atlantic slope, when direct trade
would be no longer a theory but an accom-
pltshed fact"
The value OF these western exports to
southern direct trade is simply colossal, and
the organized mercantile effort to get them
Is deeply significant Of the public interest in
the matter, of the belief and certainty of its
success, of the realization that this western
stuff Is crucial factor of victory and that
with low railroad freights fixed the con-
certed attempt OF the organized merchants
Is the proper plan to succeed, and they are
In 1t to win, as they can and will.
Pour fit share of this huge tide of west
DrO6uHfE no
through her seaports abroad aud it will feed
every interest, enrich the railroads aad
WITTY southern trade
Ny efficient co-worker, Col Thomas P.
Stovall and | began at the very start 70
WORK Tor this western help. Tue low rail
1relghts have been officially given for which
we sought, the railroads are thoroughly en-
ilSteo, and now the mercantile bodies. the
last coadjutors needed, are at work on prac-
ucal lines, Fastening triumph.
MS Is certainly a magnificent progress
Tor direct trade in less than one short year
Of agitation.
A brief review of results won is timely
and encouraging and shows the perfect end
Is easily In our grasp and at hand. No fair,
thoughtful man can fail to see the great
value of what has been done.
Inc south and west have been aroused to
'ne Iact that direct trade is at last ripe. All
VI our seaports have striven for the prize.
hegular lines of steamers for outward car
Eoes nave been put on and are successfully
running at several ports, and better lines
are projected and preparing. Foreign cap
NaIlSts have come over here, looked and or
gahized plans for full trade. These schemes
t eaKe Dig money and demand time and care-
IuI detail, and mature slowly. This or that
special scheme may come TO naught, or even
start and drop out. But that means moth
da lug. Inc man mistakes that CONSTITUTES the
ueleat OF an army from the misasp of one Of
nS squads. The cause is tied up In no single
4ue- The south has had the taste of for
elgh trade aud it cannot be appeased. The
movement Is on for good and to the end Of
success. There will be no backward step.
me south's commercial life demands direct
"a41e, aud she WILL just as she can, have it.
u Every interest of the south is stirred up.
enough has been done to indicate the di-
sece trade movement to prove its feasibility
and TO insure its lasting finish. 1t would be
Somsroly to give it up with its fruits in our
rHlos and everything favorable TO its COM
pietlon. The south will not do this.