The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-28
TO GET WESTERN TRADE.
Capt. Purses Work ut the Chicago
Convention.

Convention
Capt. D. @. Purse Is back after having
spent a fun week away from Savannah
in the city's interests. He went TO Wash
ington with the delegation which ap-
peared before the ways and means COM
mittee Of congress in behalf Of the sub
treasury Tor Savannah and then imme-
diately went on TO Chicago where he at
tended the annual meeting Of the National
Manufacturers Association for the pur-
pose Of representing Savannah's claims
as an outlet for western trade.
Capt. Purse found that the manufac-
turers convention was not d convention
WIN one idea by any means, and that IL
OF discussing means Of extending south
ern trade. The protection Of the interests
OF american manufacturers and the eX-
tension OF tnclr trade TN every direction
was the main idea though the western
manufacturers being in the majority,
thelr desire for opportunities 10 expand
their trade was plainly manifested.
Capt. Purse was enrolled as represent
ing the Imperial Baking Powder Com
Pdhy OF savannah, it being necessary that
ne appear as delegate from some manu-
featuring concern The trend OF discus
sion, however, did not give him an oppOr-
tuhlly 70 speak upon the subject to which
ne desired to call the attention of the
convention, the advantages which Sa-
Nannah possesses for the development or
trtue with South American countries
Inc convention was more interested in
securing equitable freight rates which
VIII enable the manufacturers to reach
OUT Tor new territory in this country.
varying freight tariffs Of the railroads or
the country. As result
IesoIuuon was adopted, calling upon
congress to authorize and direct
the interstate commerce. Commission
70 prepare, or cause TO be prepared, at
me earliest possible time, a classification
81 lIslght which shall be uniform
throughout the United States, and TO or
ueL the same TO be put into effect Jan. I,
1871, on all the railroads in the United
states engaged in interstate commerce.
Inc preamble of the resolution states
thaI such classification of freights would
tend to simplify freight rates and 10 make
mem more uniform, just and stable. 1t
uoes not ask that the commission be di-
Iected 10 prepare a uniform schedule of
freight rates for all the railroads of the
country, but that there be a uniform
classification of freight.
capt Purse found the merchants and
business men of Chicago more interested
IN his mission than the manufacturers,
and he was sought out and interviewed
by practically all the leading newspapers.
He did not fail to tell them that Savan-
nah would lend every assistance to Chi
cagO IN ner e1Ort to secure such freight
rates as will enable her merchants and
manufacturers to extend their trade into
the south and through the southern ports
10 south America, and he told them also
that Savannah would be ready to put on
the steamers whenever they got the rates.
In order to secure better rail connections
between Chicago and Savannah, Capt.
Purse suggested that the Illinois Central
which passes about 100 miles north of
Montgomery. Ala, should build into that
city, where IL would connect with three
lines for Savannah, the Central, the Geor-
gia and Alabama and the Plant system.
Chicago is making a big effort to secure
concessions from its railroads, with a
view to reaching territory in the south
east, and everything Capt. Purse had to
say on this line was received with inter
est.
Capt. Purse returned through Washing
ton, where he expected to appear before
the rate committee of the trunk line asso-
citation in the interests of tourist rates
for Savannah. but found that the meeting
had been postponed. The association will
meet in New York Feb. a. at which time
Capt. Purse has been promised hear
ing,