The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-03-29
BOARD OF TRADES YEAR.
President Purses Review Of SaVan-
nah'S Business interests.


Tvbee Yed-Savannah's Excellent
financial Showing Improvements
s+ Quarantine Recommended - The
Railroad Situation.
The annual meeting of the Board of
Trade was held yesterday at the Board of
Trade rooms. There was large attend
en,s of members. The principal interest
conferred in the reports of the president
and of the various committees.
President Purses report was an ex-
baustiye one. 1T dealt with the condition
of the board at some length, and then
took I'd the commercial interests of Sa-
vanuah. reviewing the naval stores, cot
ton and lumber trades, touching upon the
barbor improvement, in which the presi-
dent urged the building of breakwater
At Tvbee for the protection of shipping,
and. referring to the increased railroad
facilities, the insurance question and the
general condition of business.
THE NAVAL STORES TRADE.
In reviewing the naval stores trade the
nrasident said: LAS anticipated the
limited action of the naval stores produc-
ers in the territory tributary to Savan-
nah and factors in this city, resulted in
reducing the output in this territory quite
M per cent as compared with last crop.
In the territory west of the Chattahoochee
river, a corresponding reduction in crop
appears for the year; while in the Will
mington n c., territory, the falling off
reaches % per cent. Notwithstanding
mis- reduced production the market has
been sluggish throughout the year, due
mos probably to the sharply curtailed
domestic consumption and demand, Incl
dent to the depression that has prevailed
in every branch of trade and the dis
turbed financial condition of the country.
In this period the price of spirits of tur-
pentine touched twenty-three cents (23c)
per gallon, the lowest figure reached in
ten years.
AS partial offset to the reduction in
domestic consumption there has been a
notable increase in the foreign demand !;
in fact this demand has steadily grown
apace with increased production, only in
advance of the usual ratio this year,
while in same time, domestic consump-
ton drops 20 per cent, in measure due
TO the absence of invisible stocks, hereto
fore carried by middlemen and consum-
ers, and the adoption by the latter of a
hand to mouth policy.
OUTLOOK FOR THE NEW CROP.
"From the best information obtainable,
the next crop will be about equal to the
one Just marketed, with the average
grade of rosins slightly higher owing to
the increased output of virgin boxes and
reduction in number of old boxes worked.
With this outlook, any general revival of
business, restoring the usual domestic de-
maud for naval stores, prices must of ne
cessity advance, as production and con-
sumption would be running very close to-
gether
Savannah easily retains her command
ing position in this trade as the leading
naval stores market of the world, with
receipts this year to date, GAG, 799 pack
ages of rosin and 257,711 casks of spirits
OF turpentlne.
1.-THE stocks of rosin on hand at this
date is 1901 packages and of spirits of
turpentire l,719 casks in excess of last
year which is fully accounted for by the
diminished domestic consumption and
demand. 80
LUMBER AND COTTON.
In reference to the lumber trade Presi-
dent Purse said: Savannah has main
tanned her relative position in the lumber
trade, if facilities for quick shipment
have not placed her in advance In this,
as in every other branch of business, the
reduction in volume and low
prices have made an unsatisfac-
tory year for producers and shippers +"
In touching upon the cotton trade the
president said:
The cotton receipts of the port will
show considerable increase over last
year, but the causes depressing the mar
kets for other products has had its infiu-
euce upon this staple which constitutes
oAf leading article of export, in money
value. lfthe prices realized for it by produc-
ers have not measured up to their expec-
lauous, 1t IS admittedly the cheapest cot
ION crop ever raised in the south, and was
In better position to stand low prices than
any previous crop, though the average
price at which it is being marketed is not
AAe!y to leave much, if any, margin of
profit to the producers"
THE HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The harbOr improvements is touched
upon as follows; The work of harbor
Improvement moves steadily forward
under the able direction of Capt. O. M.
carter, engineer in charge The system of
JeUJy work which forms an integral part
OF me plan of improvement. will be COM
p,eIeu IN another year The depth in the
river gives evidence of a steady increase
uuGef The combined action of the dredges
ana the securing brought about by the
yeJ.y system. Very recently a vessel
Ia" ing - Ieet IL inches is reported to
nave been lowed in from the sea to the
CITY on single tide"
i rom the progress already made, I'M
iess me work should be interrupted in some
Unforeseen manner Capt. Carter regards
u, both possible and probable, that by
yJuy /, 1873, the desired channel of rs feet
ueptn at meaU high water from the city
W uar[es to the sea will have been secured,
gAouIh the improvements of the harbor
Hl"J not nave been entirely completed.
a BREAKwATER AT TYBEE.
The severe storm that visited this sec
sou August q, 1898, in its destruction to
sstnippIhg at anchorages at quarantine
9ydIlOh and lower down the harbor, should
t tlecJ the attention Of the government to
I Tue necessity for a breakwater in Tybee
-soduS Tor the better protection of com
; ;r,glG Tor as Savannah yearly grows in
nu lance as call station vessels in
olease IN number during the year at these
tttHleuorages. There could be no better
t t1ne Ior agltating such an improvement
euau now while the lefty work for the
general Improvement of the harbor is be-
l"s constructed, as the enlargement and
s so,.,uslon OF this work could be made to
We every purpose Of a breakwater at
&, very moderate additional cost
~ lpoftaut work in the interest of
NE NE commerce.. should, at once, engage
G We most active support of this body, the
6o.goh Exchange and the mayor and al
;'-..Len OF the city in bringing the matter
,,,-l !eulately TO the attention of our i'm
fa 'r0!ale representative, Hon. Il. e. Les