The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-12-13
TRADE WITH THE NORTHWEST
THE SENTIMENT N ITS FAVOR
GROWING RAPIDLY.

Letters of Inquiry Sent Out by the
Southern and Northwestern Indus
trial Association show Unanimous
Endorsement of the Movement in
Favor of Closer Relations on Com
merciaI and Industrial Lines.
Birmingham, Ala, Dec. 12.-An evidence
of the growth Of popular sentiment in the
south. looking to an extension Of trade
relations with the northwest is found in
the replies TO the letters sent out by the
Southern and Northwestern Industrial
Association. with headquarters in this
city. Among the bankers. manufacture
ers and merchants, there is almost an
unanimous endorsement of the movement
10 bring the south and the northwest in
closer touch on commercial and indus trial
lines. The following direct question were
asked a number of leading business men
Of the southern states. east of the Mis-
sissippi river:
/. Do you favor a movement looking 10
practical work in line with an extension
Of commercial relations between the two
sections?
,. What has the south to gain by invit-
ing competition for merchants and manu-
facturers of the northwest for trade that
has heretofore been monopolized By the
east.
B. What are the serious barriers if any,
TO the upbuilding of extensive reciprocal
commercial relations between Chicago
and the south?
1. What is the general opinion among
business men in your immediate locality
on this question?
D. WHAT are the proper agencies to be
employed in this business and the best
methods TO be introduced, in order to
reach practicable results?
CATEGORICAL answers to these questions
show practically unanimous answers in
the Affirmative to the first question.
The replies to the second inquiry show
a greater diversity of opinion; but the
general impression seems to be that i'm
4 migration from the northwest 10 the
south will increase as the people of the
two sections become better acquainted
and establish closer relations. II is also
Il pointed out that capital from the north
west will seek investment from the south
eru industries in proportion to the in
q crease of commercial relations between
the two sections 1t is further suggest
4 ed that the south will be largely benefit
4 ted by the advertisement of its resources
and the value of its trade, incident TO this
The barriers to the extension of bust
ness relations are given.
!. The unjust discrimination in freight
rates. which practically prohibit trade be-
tween Chicago and the south in certain
4 lines.
, The ignorance of the southern people
regarding the extent of the manufacturing
4 and commercial interests of the northwest.
| IL is not generally known IN the south
that the manufacture of many articles
4 largely consumed in the south is now done
4 on d larger scale in Chicago and tributary
territory than at any other place in the
country Since the agitation Of this ques-
ton and the manifestation of more ae-
A tive interest on the part OF Chicago bus
4 mess men, southern consumers have learn
ed more of the magnitude of Chicagos
4 commerce and are naturally being attract
ed in that direction.
In reply to the fourth question, it is
stated as the general opinion among bus
mess men in the south that the agitation
A of this question should continue until prac-
ticable results have been reached.
The general consensus of opinion in re-
4 ply to the fifth inquiry is that the in
1 the northwest should be commanded in
4 this work. Information in detail should
be presented both in the southern and
a northwestern papers, showing the I'M
81 lust discrimination in freight rates, the
"A loss to the northwestern merchants and
manufacturers in depriving them of trade
n to which they are legitimately entitled,
and the loss to the southern consumer
in being shut out from competition for
q his business. Remedies sought through
the agency of the interstate commerce
4 commission having so far failed, 1t Is the
general opinion that the agitation of this
question in the south should force the
railroads to a recognition of the popu-
Il lar sentiment and result in their yield
ing to popular demand Whenever the
southern lines realize that the southern
/ consumers of northwestern products are
4 in earnest in demanding an equitable adj
justment of rates they viii not hesitate
TO put in force such rates as Will be
satisfactory. 1t appears to be the gen
n eral opinion that nothing short OF an
n awakening of popular sentiment in the
south will force the southern roads to
an adjustment of freight rates between
northwestern and southern points.
Public sentiment in the south can be
q built up only through the agency of an
active organization directing attention in
4 = practical business way to existing evils
and adds that benefit viii naturally ac-
"a crue to both sections from the establish
n ment of closer business relations.
President Skaggs of the Southern and
81 NOrthwes tern Industrial Association
states that a number of merchants ana
manufacturers of the northwest are be-
ginning to address inquiries to the South
ern and Northwestern Industrial AssOcia-
81 ton concerning conditions in the south,
IA and citing particular cases where they
M the south on account of unjust freight
M rates. Specific information on this line,
H When received, is brought to the atten-
81 ton of the particular locality in the south
which it affects, and in that way public
attention is directed to existing evils.
1t is suggested that a commercial con-
a Vention be held in the south at an early
n cate to be made up of representatives
"a from commercial organizations through
out the south, east of the Mississippi, for
n the purpose of arousing the people to a
"A proper appreciation of the Importance of
this work. Birmingham being the larg-
est shipping point in the south the con-
Nention will probably be held in this city
Inc trend of events, as indicated from
the correspondence of this association
southern and northwestern movement
viii create revolution in southern COM
merce and will mark a new era in the
south's prosperity.