The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-11
THE DIVERSION OF COTTON.
THE COTTON EXCHANGE CONNIE
TEE TO REPORT TODAY.


TEE TO REPORT TODAY.
No IntimatiOn as to what the Report
VIII he, But an Interesting DOcu-
ment Is Looked FOr-The Reasons
Some Cotton Men Give For the Oi-
version of Cotton to NOrfOlk-The
Report May Also EmbOdy Some
thing From the Standpoint of the
Railroad Men-Ocean Rates, How
ever. Are Not Regarded as Having
Much to DO Win the Matter.
There will be a meeting of the members
of the Savannah Cotton Exchange at noon
to-day 10 receive the report Of the special
committee appointed about two months
ago TO look into the matter Of the diver
sion from Savannah of cotton which prop
erly belonged to the territory Of this port
and which should be received here.
This committee made a report to the
Cotton Exchange about two weeks after
it had been appointed in which it was
stated that whereas the published rate on
cotton to Norfolk is cents per 100 pounds
more than to Savannah, cotton had act
ually been accepted for transportation at
cents per 100 pounds less. making an act
uaI cut of IA cents in the published rate.
To this fact was attributed the diversion
of large amount of cotton that should
have come to Savannah. The free trans
portation of cotton to competitive points
was also mentioned as a factor in this
diversion. With regard to Charleston lower
ocean rates by cents per 100 pounds were
given as the cause for diversion of cot
ton to that port, and it was stated as the
belief OF the committee that cents of
this amount was due to the refundlnS OF
the terminal charge.
The report of the committee was recev-
ed as information and it was continued
by President Dwele with instructions to
hear from the railroads with regard to the
situation, and also as to any suggestions
that might be made for remedying the APP
parent existing evils. The committee has
since held several sessions, and several
of the local railroad officials have been
called upon to give facts and figures with
regard to the movement of the cotton
crop.
AS the committee passed a resolution
when 1t was first organized that 1t would
give out no information 10 anyone until
its report was made to the cotton eN-
change, it has not been possible to learn
said to have been limited that it win be
an interesting one, and will state some
very plain facts.
1t is well known that many of the cot
ton men, as well as the ship brokers, are
positive in their belief that the railroads
have been responsible fer the movement
of cotton away from Savannah, and when
the subject is brought up the movement
of cotton to Norfolk is one of the first
things mentioned. The diferential be-
tween Norfolk and Savannah used to be
IA cents-that is, the rate was ia cents
per 100 pounds higher to Norfolk
than to Savannah. This diiferental was
afterward reduced to II cents, and later
TO 6 cents, where it now stands. Some OF
the cotton men who take the position IN
dictated say it would be all right II this
differential of 6 cents were maintained,
but they assert that II is not only Topped
off for the purpose of carrying cotton to
Norfolk, but that cents more Is taken
off. making the comparative rate to Nor
folk practically IA cents less than II Is
to Savannah.
IT is vel; known that the railroads COM
prising the Southern States Freight AS
sociation every year apportion the cotton
among the different railroads so tnat all
may get their due share. The claim is
made in this connection that an effort is
being made 10 show up big receipts for the
Southern at Norfolk, whereby 1t will have
the right TO claim as large or larger
amount in the apportionment to be made
for next season.
Whether the report of the committee
will submit anything on the other side OF
the question remains to be seen. The rail-
road men have, in some instances, submit
ted figures to show that they have had to
carry cotton to other ports even at high
er rate of freight, because they could get
an ocean rate that was so much lower
than that offered from Savannah. This
is practically the position they have taken
all along, that the ocean rates from Sa-
vannah were too high. Doubtless the re-
port will discuss both sides af the ques-
ton and present some conclusion and re-
Communications in the premises.
Since the matter has been under invest-
cation it is notable that there has been
great increase in the receipts of cotton
at this port but there may be more than
one view as to what the increase Is due to.
Savannah, however, seems to be catching
up on her share of the cotton crop.
There has been some inquiry in this con-
nection as to what has become of the
plan to put on a direct line of steamers
from Savannah to Europe. The Georgia
Export and Import Company was granted
a charter for that purpose some time ago,
but the steamers have not yet come. 1t
Is said, however, that something may he
heard from them within the next few
days.
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PARADE OF THE TROOPS.