The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-01-31
PLENTY OF FREIGHT ROOM.
Savannah Can Handle All the Cotton
That Comes Here.

The statement of Receiver Hayes, Of
the Central railroad, in yesterdays
MORNING News, in reference to the facil-
ities for foreign shipments OF cotton,
caused considerable comment among
shipping brokers. Some Of them
took exception to his statement
tha5 if the shippers increased their facili-
ties for handling foreign shipments and a
large number Of tramp steamers came
here, there is no doubt that the cot
ton could be procured for them
The slip brokers held conference at
Mr.. Corners odice IN the afternoon. The
meeting was private, but it is understood
that The situation was explained and
the claims OF the snip brokers as to the
number of steamers with sufficient
freight room to accommodate all the cot
ton that comes TO the port or is likely 10
come with more favorable railroad
freight rates, were discussed.
A prominent ship broker stated last
night that there has been an ample num-
Der OF steamers here during the season.
Several ships have arrived at Tybee for
orders during the last two months, and
were sent to other ports because there
was lack Of inquiry for freight room
here.
a Bay street business man familiar
with the situation, when asked about the
matter, said: There is no doubt that
savannah is entitled TO a larger move
ment OF cotton, although the re-
ceipJs this season have Oeen about 175,-
90 oales more than those of last season,
anu the exports IoJ, co.. bales in excess of
the exports last season. The crop mas
Justified a much larger movement here.
Savannah has advantages" he con-
tinued, which should attract the entire
crop OF cotton OF Georgia and Florida,
but there have been inhunces which
worked TO her disadvantage during the
last season. There mas been a stubborn
hight in the matter OF di4erential rates
between the South Atlantic ports and
the Virginia ports, in which the latter
nave had The advantage during the
lasb ywo mouths. This has attracted
large shipments in that direction, which
rightly belonged 10 Savannah"
Another cotton shipper, VINO was asked
regarding the matter, said: while there
has been no lack OF freight room at this
port during the season, the direct rates
have been in excess of those at other
| ports, and, consequently, it has been 10
the advantage OF shippers to seek the
| points where the rates were the cheapest
| II is claimed that the cost OF loading
| steamers at Savannah ana getting them
! ready for sea is considerably greater than
at Charleston, Wilmington or Norfolk,
and, therefore, higher rates of freights
| are charged. An 91Ofb was made
some time ago to reduce the cost by
! new contract with the longshore-
men for loading cotton, but they would
not agree TO change, and the business
| dropped of
"fhe stock of cotton on hand and on
/ shipboard is not in excess of the amount
| on hand at this time last year, being 80.
900 bales against l20,00O bales on Jan. 81
1898. The direct foreign exports so far
this season have been 415,000 bales
( against 600 bales for the same period
| last year, showing an increase since sept.
| /, 1898, of 10000 bales. The coast
wise shipments have also been larger
than those Of last year, but with all this
| Savannah is entitled TO even greater re,
| ceipts and exports this season on account
| of The unusual amount of cotton which
has come into sight during the past
| five months. Norfolk, Wilmington
and Charleston have all been re-
ceiling cotton which would have beer
| handled in Savannah, had it not been for
the difference in freights. Charleston has
made strong effort to secure cotton from
this state, and has succeeded in increas
ing her receipts 100000 bales over last
year When 1t Is known that $1,000 bales
have been shipped from Savannah u
Charleston during the past five months
ii is evident that operators SHOULD
show their enterprise by secur ing, a.
| Capt. Hayes suggests, increased facili
ties for handling foreign shipments