The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-02
STAND READY TO WORK FOR IT.
PRESIDENT CONFER SAYS SAVANNAH
MUST GET - FEET TO THE SEA.

MUST GET - FEET TO THE SEA.
Commercial Growth OF the Port De-
ponds on the Securing Of 81 Deeper
ChnnncI-Thc Entire Country West
TO kansas Interested in the Sue
cess Of Snch MoVement-Deeper
Water VIII Cheaper Rates by Al
lowing Ocean Carriers of Greater
Capacfty tn Take cut MIXED Car
goes.
President II. VI. Conner of che Central
Railroad thoroughly indorses the proposed
movement to secure an appropriation from
the government TO give Savannah twenty
eight feet Of water from the city 70 the
sea. in accordance with the original plans,
OF which the twenty-six- foot project was
a modification
Mr.. Conner believes that the future pros
perity and progress Of Savannah depend
on her developing her commerce, and that
the growth of her commerce is largely in
cumbent on her getting deeper channel
Twenty-eight feet of water must DE had
if Savannah is to thrive it should and
held its position as the first of the South
Atlantic seaports BY determined and
united action, Mr.. Conner gees no reason
why the necessary appropriation should
not be obtained, and promises che support
OF the influences that the Central can
bring into play 10 effect this end
The Central Railroad Is too greatly in
terested in the development of the bust
ness of Savannah 90 make il necessary for
me to say that it will do all that lies in
its power TO get twenty-eight-foot chan.
mel to the sea" said he last night. What
ever helps Savannah helps the Central
Railroad We are interested both as good
citizens, DESTROYS of seeing the city built
up and as business men, who realize that
our own prosperity is wrapped up in the
progress OF Savannah.
Savannah should have deeper water.
OF that there is no question. Its inter
ests require IL ana there are no exertions
that can be made that would not be well
expended IL the necessary appropriation
can be obtained Savannahs importance
as a port, its present position as the
outlet of great extent of country, and
the vastly moro important commercial re-
lations it would hold with a number of
states amply justify the general govern
ment in such expenditures at this point.
Twenty eight feet of water to the sea does
not only mean that Savannah will he
helped. II would mean that the entire
country as far west as Kansas City ana
beyond would derive direct bene-
ut from what the government had
done. This is no local worl,
That is the first thing TO remember. A
port such as Savannah is the common
possession of millions of people living in a
vast area OF country, stretching out hum
dreds of miles 10 the west Not only
Georgia, but Florida. Alabama, South
Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and on be-
yond to Kansas have their interests inter-
mingled with those of our people mere
Whatever tends TO reduce the cost OF
transporting their products helps them
and deeper water at Savannah will mean
less cost for placing their grain and wheat
and meats in European countries The
man who is growing wheat out i'm Kan
sas may not al first thought regard u as
Of any especial personal interest TO him
whether Savannah gets twenty-eight feet
Of water or not. Eut it Will not take long
to convince him that it does. that what
benefits Savannah also benefits him, that
our interests are so crossed and recrossed
IN the commercial life of to-day that the
common good is subserVed by such a work
as is desired done here.
GIVE us y leet or water continued Mr.
Conner, and you win see the wheat and
Hour of the West moving abroad through
Savannah. There is no cheaper cargo
than mixed cargo OF cotton and wheat
Once We can handle these deeper draught
vessels here Savannah win become the
outlet for Western products in common
with those of the South. Lower freight
rates wall result And while Savannah is
being built up, while its population. bus
mess and wealth are being multiplied IL
viii not be at the expense of, but on the
contrary, TO the direct benefit of a great
area of country. Help in such a move
ment? Why of course the Central Rail-
road will help. The time seems propitious
the country appears to be on the verge
of an era of great commercial develop
ment, and Savannah should exert itself
TO be in position 20 benefit by the improv-
ed conditions / should certainly assist in
every way that l could to organize and
assist such movement unti the ends
desired had been accomplished"
Among business men yesterday there
was considerable talk of the proposition
TO get the channel deepeued The feeling
was strong that the city government ana
the two trade bodies should take hold to-
gcther as was done when the previous
deep water movement was on, and that
no time should be wasted in getting the
necessary preliminaries attended to.