The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-18
MAY SEND A DELEGATION.
BUSINESS MEN TALK OF INvESTI-
eating THE WEST INDIES.

Hoard of Trade Meeting May Decide
to Raise Funds to Send a Commit
tee to the Islands Believed That
Savannah Can Build Up a Trade.
Much Interest In the Board of
Grade Meeting Tuesday.
The Board of Trade meeting Tuesday to
take action In regard to sending repre-
sentatlves from Savannah to Cuba and
Porto Rico to look into the possibilities
Of establishing trade with the islands,
gives promise of producing good results.
From present indications it will be large
ly attended.
With view to having a representative
of every business house in Savannah at
the meeting, President Purse has sent out
invitations to all who would likely lend
helping hand to the movement. The time
for decisive action has come, as other
cities already have representatives on the
islands, and will have the trade in the
hands of Savannah's commercial rivals
unless the business men take timely steps
to penetrate that territory.
There will likely be a motion made to
appoint a committee to arrange plans for
sending delegation to the islands. On
this committee will be those interested in
the movement, and who will promptly
arrange details and appoint the repre-
sentatives. 1t is not expected there will
be any trouble in getting a sufficient num-
Der to go, as the committee will have
power to raise funds to defray expenses
and make all necessary arrangements to
facilitate the delegations work. The fact
that it represents Savannah will add to
the importance of the visit and commend
ats members to those of the islands best
situated to give the desired information
lt may be the delegation will be made up
of business men who have contemplated a
trip to Cuba, and who can watch after
their own interest as members of the dele
cation, as well as that of the Board of
Trade.
The business of the pioneers will be to
ind out something about the situation in
the island, which are believed at present
to furnish a broad field for commercial
development. They will find out what
KIND OF trade can be opened up most
prottably, giving particular attention to
the demand for raw material such as
coal, lumber and other commodities ship
ped yearly from this port. After examin-
ing the country, or at least going over
enough of it to get a general idea of the
resources for development, the delega ton
will return with a report that will give
an idea of what there is in store for enter
prlsing concerns desiring to expand their
business.
President Purse said yesterday he ex-
pected the meeting would be one of the
largest held under the auspices of the
Board OF Trade for some time His pur-
pose has been to secure the attendance
OF at least one representative from each
business concern in the city, thereby in
surfing determined and concerted action
He thinks the time is ripe for action IL
savannah, which is the largest port the
same distance from the islands, is to
have any commerce with them. It re-
mains to be seen whether other cities will
get the business, he said, but If the pro-
posed steps in sending representatives are
carried out, there is no question but the
way IS yet open to accomplish a great
deal. $50
Business men generally are quite as en-
thuslastle over the outlook as Capt Purse.
and feel that they are now on the right
track. They intend to give the delegation
every aid in fulfilling its important mis-
sion, as this win have much to do with the
future business relations of Savannah with
the islands.
Until something is heard from the dele
cation, II may be no definite steps will he
taken in the direction of inducing steam
ship companies to put on the line between
Savannah and Havana, which has been so
generally discussed since the close of hos
tilities. There are companies anxious to put
ships on the line, it IS said as soon as the
business men unite, and agree to give all
business to the first company providing the
facilities. 1t wiz require some time to hear
from the delegation however and until
then, there viii probably be no further ac-
ton taken in regard to this feature of the
trade.