The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-12
Actual Al 72-1OO
Total ......LsSS.7 62 !, 1888, 1852

In other words, assuming that the in
crease of the crop has been about the
same all through the territory Savannah
has received less than her proportion by
13l ,SS7 bales, Port Royal by 66S bales,
Brunswick by 945 bales, while Norfolk has
received an excess over her proportion of
1O352S bales, Wilmington 1891 bales, and
Charleston 1876 bales. 1t may be urged
that Norfolk's increase did not all come
from the territory of Savannah, Bruins
wick, and Port Royal, but, we think that
the facts will demonstrate that the in
crease was at the eXI ense of these ports.
on Nov q the figures stood as follows:
Savannah behind her proportion 134,0iS,
Charleston ahead $3.50, Wilmington ahead
II, 1913, Norfolk ahead III 055. On Dec. 81,
Savannah had recovered 1851, Charleston
had gained further 1886, Wilmington had
gained further 2,67S, while Norfolk had
lost 1882.
Your committee find that owing to the
cut on rates to Norfolk made by the Sea-
board railroad and the Southern railroad,
Savannah lost 1Sl,Sa bales and Norfolk
gained 1O3,52S over and above the increase
that could be due to a larger crop. The
rates to Norfolk, instead of being main
tanned at cents per 100 pounds above the
rates to Charleston and Savannah. were
in many instances 8 cents per 100 pounds
less to Norfolk than to Savannah from
and 400 miles nearer to Savannah than to
Norfolk.
I'm this effort to carry way cotton the
lines running to Norfolk were helped by
the ocean rates out of Norfolk being s
to 10 cents per 100 pounds lower than they
were out of Savannah, and also by the
ruling of the Georgia railroad commits
sion, that if the lines running 10 Savan-
nah cut their rates at certain points to
meet the competition of the cut rate TO
Norfolk they must likewise cut their
rates from all other points within the
state of Georgia to Savannah. This rul-
ing of the commission has been changed
recently so as to permit the lines to Sa-
Vannah to cut at certain points without
making a general reduction of cotton
rates
Charleston has received about 16 166
bales above her proportionate increase,
and this increase is due partly to lower
ocean rates by about cents per 100
than were afforded by direct or indirect
steamers out of Savannah, and partly
to the meeting of the cut-rate to Nor
folk on the part of the railroads run
ming to Charleston. In other words,
cheap ocean rates out Of Brunswick and
Port Royal only enabled them to draw
very nearly their proper share of the
increased crop of their territory, while
the active effort of the roads running
as possible from Georgia carried a sur
plus of 1891 bales to Wilmington and
l0352S bales to Norfolk, while Charles
ton, by meeting the low railway rates
and Offering cheap ocean rates. saved
herself and secured a surplus of l6, 1865
bales. In passing, we may mention that
the greater part, If not the whole. of this
increase was shipped to Charleston by
Savannah merchants.
Another year we are confronted with a
repetition OF this experience and Il is fear
ed that the railroads running to Norfolk
may set up a claim in the freight associa-
ton for an increased proportion OF the
trafiic based upon what they have handled
this year Against this claim we are
pleased to know that the president Of the
Central of Georgia railway has declared
that he will fight and that If the claim
should be granted he would withdraw
from the association and DO his utmost
to protect the business Of this port. Ocean
rates out OF Norfolk and Charleston were,
up to a short time ago, lower than they
were out Of savannah and undoubtedly
carried cotton TO Charleston and made
much easier the Invasion of our territory
by the lines finding an outlet at Norfolk
I'VE recommend THAI the cotton eN-
change instruct the president and direc-
tors TO apply 20 the railroad commission
Of the state for leave to permit tho eX-
change 10 become party TO the complaint
of the Savannah bureau of freight and
transportation against the Albany and
Northern railroad and other railroads for
soliciting cotton for transportation to
Charleston with the promise of a rebate
to certain parties Also TO become a par
~ to the complaint against the cut rates
from Harmony Grove and Athens to Nor
folk ana Charleston. In which the Georgia
railroad, Southern railway, and Seaboard
railroad participated In carrying cotton to
Norfolk and the Georgia railroad and the
South Carolina railroad participated in