The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-30
PLANS NOT YET PERFECTED.
COL. TESTERS REPLY DID NOT ASK
FOR a COMMITTEE.

other Information Expected by May
or MeIdrIm From Washington
To-day in Regard to TrOops-Ad-
vantaGes the City Claims Have Al
ready Been Fully Presented.
| Troops Could Not Affect Local
Prices by Increased Demand-Ship-
ping Facilities Would COunteract
Any Shortage in Supplies.
The possibility of troops concentrating
! in Savannah was so generally discussed
yesterday that interest in the movement
by Council and other bodies to get them
here, has decidedly increased by the ad-
dit!on of people from all walks willing to
lend assistance.
Mayor Meldrim received a reply from
Col. Lester, the contents Of which were
not given out, except that it contained
nothing as to committee being sent to
Washington to assist in bringing the mat
ter before the department.
1t was expected Mayor Meldrim's tele-
gram, advised Col. Lester of the action
Of Council in appropriating $500 to place
the camp grounds in shape, and also to
send a committee to Washington, would
be answered promptly and definitely
The Mayor gave out nothing as to the
contents of the message, however, simply
saying there would probably be something
additional from Col. Lester this morning
Aside from his personal knowledge of
the advantages the city affords for rem
dezvousing large armies, Col. Lester has
a mn her Of IN, -.
favor indicated to him in the last few
days by Mayor Medrm, who wrote him
fully. He was asked 10 urge that two
lines of railway reach out from here TO
other South Atlantic ports, two others
through whose connections Northern
ports may be reached, and two more by
which connection may be had with the
Gulf ports. There are generally a large
number of steam vessels in port available
by the government for transportation pur-
poses. 1t seems there can be no objection
TO transportation facilities. enabling the
bringing of supplies quickly from almost
any territory which is probably the main
consideration in locating troops aside
from natural benefits to be derived
As cOaling station, Mayor Meldrim
said the government would have the ad-
vantage of getting coal shipped here quick
ly from the North, either by water or
rail, or from the Alabama or other South
Y.
With the direct communication the city
has by both land and water, the govern
ment would enjoy exceptional advantages
for the concentration of troops ammuni-
ton and supplies. The fact of having
these facilities of transportation removes
the fear that an army would be such a
drain on merchants as to bring about the
Inauguration of higher prices for most
everything. When It is considered the
railroad can handle supplies about as fast
as they Will be needed to furnish say an
. army of $4,000 troops all fear of an in
crease in prices from increased demands is
dispelled. Looking a month ahead, the
wholesale men could supply themselves
and avoid the possibility Of shortages.
Since the matter has been agitated a
number of suitable places for camping pur-
poses have been mentioned. 1t seems to be
conceded that the southern section, south
of Twelfth street, and between Estin ave
nue. and the White Bluff road, would be a
sufficient distance from the city, while al
the same time there would be the advan-
tages OF connecting that locality with the
city sewers. Connection with the sewers
is contemplated in Alderman Wells reso-
luton as one of the cOnVeniences the an
preparation Of $500 is intended to provide
Another expense 1t is intended to meet in
case there is no connection with the city
mains, is sinking a sufficient number of
arteslan wells to furnish the water supply.
These matters Will be determined and a
definite understanding had as TO what will
be needed when the troops are secured and
the city locates a place for them. The
territory is so large, and embraces such
extensive lands, suitable In every respect,
for camping and drilling, that 1t is assured
that absolutely no trouble in this regard
will be encountered.
Police protection will be one of the
prime matters to consider but Chief Nc
Dermott believes he can take care of any
ordinary number, such, for instance as
10000 to 1900 troops. He said he would
expect, first, to have his department suf-
hciently increased 10 handle the crowds
Raw recruits have shown themselves to
be hilarious to some extent, periodically
celebrating with marked satisfaction, the
time when they will occupy Spanish do
mnion. The new guard house is quite
commodious for about as many as pru-
dent officers would care to turn loose on
town at one time. An appropriation for
additional police would have to be made
by Council, however, as the commission
ers are now short 5000, for which they
are asking, and could make no additions
except the city put up the money
The effect on business from even 10000
soldiers would be almost incalculable since
the benefit would reach nearly every kind
of business. With the determination TO
do everything possible to secure the troops.
Mayor Medrim and members of
Council have resolved not to relinuuish
their efforts until they succeed, or untn
the government finds locality
more suitable than Savannah for
Its volunteer forces. Final action
will probably be decided on this morning
when other information is received from
Col Lester which will determine whether
committee will go to Washington.
-s-e-s
PATRIOTIC SERVICE POSTPONED.