The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-28
PHILADELPHIA's BIG KICK.
1t VIII Not Prevent the Savannah
Lines Withdrawal

Lines Withdrawal.
There seems to be but slight tendency
to cool down among the Philadelphians In
regard to the Ocean Steamship Companys
withdrawal July 1 of its direct line be-
tween Savannah and Philadelphia. They
still want the line kept up, or, that not
being obtainable, to establish a new line
by mutual cooperation of Philadelphia,
Portsmouth, Norfolk, Newport News, Will
mington, Charleston, Savannah and Jack
sonvilie.
This plan has been warmly advocated
and is said to have met with favor in
Philadelphia. A meeting of the bourse
was held last week and consideration was
given the matter, the Ocean Steamship
Company and Merchants and Miners
Transportation Company at the same time
coming for share of criticism. 1t was
decided that committee, which was APP
pointed, should report at another meeting
-FOUR weeks hence upon the feasibility and
advisability of establishing the new line.
1t was claimed at the meeting that the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company. has
issued rates to Savannah which
per cent. over those of the
Ocean Steamship Company. This, if true.
would be cause for a kick from Philadel-
phia, as 1T would increase the rates be-
tween the two ports, but the Ocean Steam
ship Company officials here say that the
rates by the new route by the Merchants
and Miners Transportation Company's line
and the Ericsson canal or Pennsylvania
railroad between Philadelphia and Savan-
nah will not be increased. They
say that transportation charges Will be
exactly the same as those that have pre-
vailed via the Ocean Steamship Com
pany's line, and that the new service will
have many advantages over the old.
The greatest of these will be the in
creased number of sailings There has
been but one ship on the Philadelphia
savannah line for long while, but the
Merchants and Miners Transportation
Company's vessels are three in number.
The greater frequency in the sailings will
thus increase the facilities for the
freights handling, and when in route,
the transit is just as rapid.
notwithstanding the protests of the
Philadelphia merchants against the with
drawal it will be made and after July I
the City of Macon will no longer ply be-
tween the two ports. The resolutions
that were adopted by the bourse were as
follows, having been introduced by Mr.
Charles Este of the lumbermen's ex.
change:
Whereas, from the statements made at
this meeting, 1t would appear that the
withdrawal of the direct steamship ser
vice between the ports of Philadelphia and
Savannah has been definitely determined
| upon: and
Whereas, The closing Of this direct chan
mel of trade, which has been open to our
merchants for nearly thirty years, and
| the substitution therefor of routes in
| volving trans-shipment at either New
York, Baltimore or Norfolk, meets with
| our condemnation as unjust to our city,
| and, so far as we can learn, unwarranted
| by the earnings of the line; and
| Whereas, The said withdrawal of the
| service appears to be the result of bust
| ness deal between the Ocean Steamship
| Company and the Merchants and Miners
| Transportation Company, in which deal
| the interests of the carriers were alone
considered, and no regard was had for the
interests of the merchants or of the inter-
ests Of the city of Philadelphia; therefore,
| be it
| Resolved, That a committee of fifteen
members be appointed by the chairman of
| this meeting, the committee to consist of
| one member from each trade associat ton
| invited to participate in the meeting held
to-day; said committee to consider all the
| facts in connection with the Savannah
service that may be brought before it, or
elected by inquiry, and to report to this
meeting. within four weeks from this
| cate, with Such recommendation as 1t
/ may see fit to make.
| Resolved, That when this meeting ad-
| journs 1t shall adjourn to meet at the
call of the chair, and that due public no
tice of the date and the hour of the adj
| journed meeting shall be given.
The officials of the Ocean Steamship
Company say they do not see what the
| Philadelphians have to kick about. They
are to be afforded a service in every way
| as good and In some respects better, and
no one will suffer. The officials admit
without hesitation that II was the inter-
ests of their company and of Savannah,
| Georgia, Florida and Alabama that de-
manded the withdrawal, and they do not
hesitate to say the line has not paid for
some time. They will continue TO handle
! Philadelphia business and will enter into
strong competition for 1t with the other
! lines interested.
| 1t is said that Vice President and
Traffic Manager Whitney OF the Mer-
| chants and Miners Transportation Com
| pany will meet the Philadelphia bourse to-
morrow to discuss with It the new route
and explain matters upon which officials
| say the Philadeiphans are at fault