The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-14
DIR. LIE HARDY FAvoRs IT.
Anxious for savannah to Establish
Trade Relations with West Indies.

Anxious for savannah to Establish
Trade Relations with West Indies.
Hearth Omcer LeHardy yesterday an
swered the letter sent him by the com
mittee OF the Wholesale Grocers' Associa-
ton in regard TO the quarantine restric-
lions that would be imposed on vessels en-
gaged in trade between this city and tie
ports Of Cuba and Porto Rico.
Owing to the very indefinite character Of
the letter sent him, il was impossible for
the health officer to give exact informal
ton as to what might be done to open sa-
vannah's doors to such trade without sub
jecting the city to any risks. He according
ly in replying, requested some data on
which to work. If he is informed as to
what ports IL is expected TO trade with,
what kind of vessels will be used, the speed
they will make, the kind of cargoes that
VIII be taken, the probable detention at
the ports of the West Indies 10 which they
win go, etc, he VIII be in position to
carefully investigate the matter imme-
diately, and bring il before the sanitary
board with recommendations based on an
actual knowledge Of the conditions that
are to be met
One of DR.. LeHardy's hobbies is that of
APtAuAtlS savannah NOliIlttCldttS ny lItS-
ing it as far as possible from restriction
that tend TO curtan it's foreign trade.
Speaking of the communication from the
grocers yesterday, he said that he was
willing to devote just as much time to
study of the situation as might be neces-
sary and to leave no effort untried that
would tend to put Savannah in position TO
seize share of this valuable business.
Savannah, said he, with so much bet
ter health conditions surrounding it than
New Orleans, ought certainly be able to
do better with the West Indies trade than
that city. If New Orleans can carry on
such trade ali the year around, this city
ought to be able to do it, and under far
more favorable circumstances. 1t all lies
with the merchants as TO whether they
are willing to do what is required in the
establishment and maintenance of such re-
latiOns. 1 should blush with shame if 1
thought there was anything that the bus
mess men of New Orleans, under the
health conditions prevailing there could
do that could not be more than duplicated
here where we are immeasureably better
off from the sanitary standpoint.
There is no reason that L can see, il
the business men are willing to do their
share, why vessels should not ply between
this port and those of the West Indies
without any prejudicial delays at quaran-
tine. We have at least two days in our ia
Vor against New York. With our quaran-
tine plant in the shape it should be in,
and our business men doing what those Of
New York interested in such trade do,
there is every reason to believe that yes
sells could be in the harbor dlschargihg or
taking on cargoes after coming from the
West Indies at least a day earlier than
those running to New York cOuld-do 1t
in. And it could be done without subjecting
Savannah to any danger of invasion of dis
ease. I want TO make this understood by
the business men, and if they win favor
me with the information I have requested,
l Wiz go to work at once on the matter
and get everything in shape TO lay it be-
fore the sanitary board. 1 agree with the
merchants that Savannah should not let
the chance pass to get a portion of this
new and probably lucrative trade. I am
an expansionist, in the sense that be-
lieve in expanding Savannah commercially
in every way possible"