The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14
To TRY PORTO RICAN TRADE.
SAVANNAH MERCHANTS THINK
THEY SHOULD HAVE A SHARE
OF 1T.

rrte Cessation of HOstiIities Opens
.be Way For Great Increase in
savannah's Trade Field - Whole
ale Houses Preparing TO Send
Men to the New POssessiOns-Need
of n Direct Line of Steamers From
savannah.
c,,,annah merchants are awake TO the
v,esibilities of a valuable trade with Porto
Pico as soon as conditions are such that 1t
.a, he handled. The cessation of HOSTILE
,ias has opened the way for a great in
crease in Savannah's commercial territory.
Already the effect of peace has created a
stimulus in trade, and within the next few
months, the producers and manufacturers
NJ this country will be pushing into the
new markets.
Mr.. Joseph Ferst, president of the
Wholesale Grocers Association, says
that Savannah should by all means
reach out after Porto Rican trade. He
Is firmly of the belief that efforts will be
made to get Savannah's share of it.
The doubt that has existed all along
causing concerns to hesitate, thereby
checking trade to some extent. should now
he removed, and doubtless will be remov
cd Confidence in this country's ability
10 do things, win restore activity in bust
ness and make times better generally.
eve feel the good effects of peace" said
Mr.. Ferst "Our trade gives signs of i'm
provment and we are expecting a great
trade from now on"
Mr.. Ferst said he is in correspond
ence with men to go to Porto Rico to
work business there. These CONNER
cial men may be sent into Havana also.
Ships are expected here shortly to load
provisions for some of the islands. Eff
forts have been made looking to this end,
and it may be that next week vessels
will begin loading here for the West In
dies
Il have letters from islanders" said
Mr.. Ferst, wishing to know If We would
exchange merchandise for their products"
"Wm you exchange%
1T is not definitely settled. But the
chances are that their products will be
used"
Vessels leaving here Tuesday will reach
there Thursday. The round trip should
be made in a week. with such advan-
tages in time said Mr.. Ferst, "for reach
ing Porto Rico, there is no reason why we
should not be in advance OF some others
in securing this trade"
Hon. Herman Myers president of the
Savannah Grocery Company, be-
lieves Savannah should make an effort
to secure her share of the trade of Porto
ic
port and when Porto Rico is annexed
as she most assuredly will be- he believes
an effort should be made to put on a line
of steamers from this port to the island
lie believes that capital is ready and will
ing to go into a line of steamers. Not
large steamers, but small steamers. "Evi-
IDENTIFY" My Myers says there will be
large demand for lumber and doubtless
the bulk of Ii will go from Savannah if
she had the means of transportation.
Charleston will try for it, perhaps, but
with all of them into it Savannah might
control as much trade as she is able to
handle with a small line of steamers"
Mr.. Myers said that in exchange for our
merchandise, we might handle hides, fruit
and other commodities as are shipped
from Porto Rico
No doubt exists as to the preference this
country will be given by the Porto Ricans
and cuba for that matter. Savannah will
stand in her own light if she does not
reach out for this trade.
While no concern here so far as am
aware he said, lis making a direct eff
fort 10 induce this trade, I believe there
Should be, and may be will be, in the near
future vigorous efforts along this line"
NO reason exists why a great business
between the United States and Porto Rico,
especially, Mr.. Myers, thought, should be
putt up. No duty will be placed upon
Porto 1z
can goods
Mr.. L. Adler said 81 think Savannah
should get her share OF the trade of Porto
Rlco. Of course New York will get the
non share, and she is no doubt making
efforts now to secure it, but there will be
room for Savannah to get all she wants"
hr. Adler expressed the belief that many
concerns who go there, taking capt.
tdi ana labor will open new territory for
ms country. This means a great deal
ed4u ne. 1t means expansion. 1t will reduce
our oVerproduction in the United States
II Will ind new and sure territory for
therehandise of every description, that
formerly became a drug in the market,
because there was not enough comsump-
poA mere for it, and we had no outlet to
zorro Rican territory. Spain, always being
une favored country from which shipments
came and to which they went, will no
toussr control that trade. United States
VII aeneeforth be the favored country to
"Hlcn Porto Rico will ship and from which
Sne VIII receive shipments.
IL is understood that other concerns in
Sa'onnah are preparing to send repre-
SsuIduVes 10 Porto Rico to investigate,
~ POSSIBLY establish branch houses there.
WI B' Ii. Levy believes that this is an
oploilunity FOR securing trade ana i'm
proving commerce that the United States
Tds not seen before. BY opening up with
foIto flco as we WILL we get an outlet
Ior our manufactures, we secure trade
mulch has belonged to Spain. we start our
INNS up which have been idle because
'H. I We're no consumers for their product.
we can supply lumber, too said Mr..
ovy, Our Georgia pine should prove
popular there, and no doubt will" Mr..
80 believes that as Savannah Is nearer
1'H my other port, and being fully able
~ provide everything TO be consumed in
"e stands, that she should not lose the
t, lp4' unity now offered of opening up this
"-e' tie believes that Savannah nts
9..'Ihs large enough to successfully
o"uiPete With any other city in cOntrollin.r