The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-30


Cuba, Porto Rico and the Philippine ISL
ands, will largely depend the measure of
the benefit to accrue from the new condi-
tons 10 dominate in these islands.
In the progress of the late war, ship
owners abroad became alarmed at the
threats of Spain to invade our Atlantic
coast and cripple our commerce, and were
so reluctant to charter to menaced ports
that we were about to suffer from
dearth Of tonnage at Savan-
nah as a result. In this
emergency of the Board of Trade cabfed
assurance to the Chamber of Commerce,
London, and American Chamber of Com
merce, Paris, that there was no present
reason for alarm, and these bodies very
promptly gave the utmost publicity to this
assurance, and the effect was so salutary
that the press of other Southern cities urg-
ed that an assurance touching the whole
Atlantic coast be promulgated from Wash
ington. Our grateful acknowledgements
were promptly transmitted to these cham
bers for the valuable service they had rem
dered our port and commerce by the quick
and efficient measures adopted by each TO
allay the fears of ship owners regarding
charters for Savannah and other United
States Atlantic ports"
In reference TO the encampment of
troops at Savannah, President Purse said:
The Board of Trade actively co-operated
with the Mayor and aldermen and the
freight bureau iilapPesSlng upon the war
department at Washington the advantages
afforded by Savannah for the concentra-
ton and embarkation of troops and the
accumulation of army supplies for use
in Cuba and Porto Rico. AS the result of
these representations, Savannah was Sc
lecled in September, over sharp competi-
ton, as an army depot for supplies and
troop embarkation, which has been a great
advantage to our people, and established
more firmly the prestige of our port for
depth of water and extensive railway and
terminal facilities.
"The designation of Savannah as an
army depot and embarkation point greatly
increased the volume of our general trade,
caused the disbursement of large sums of
money here, and, it Is hoped, has impressed
upon the government the value of this
port for both governmental and CONNER
cial purposes to an extent that will enlist
its cooperation in the effort to be made
before Congress to secure an appropriation
to increase our channel depth from rs feet
to % feet"
OF President McKinsey's visit to Savan-
nah the report says: THE entertainment
of President Mckinley, and the distin-
guished party that accompanied him on
the guest of this body and associated citi-
zens, marks an epoch in the history of
Savannah. as well as of the Board of
Trade"
The interest of the Board of Trade in
the occasion of che visit of the President
and party arose from the opportunity TO
be afforded of acquainting the President
and his cabinet, in a pleasant and agree
able manner. with the commercial import
4 II.
In designating this city as an army supply
depot and embarkation point for troops,
and at the same time have them meet our
people socially The city and its splen>
did facilities for the economical dispatch
of business, made deep impression upon
our guests who were frequently moved
to expressions of surprise by the object
lessons illustrating our advantages that
were continually being presented to them
in the progress of their entertainment.
There can be no doubt. therefore. that
the visit Of the President and his party
must be of great benefit to Savannah if 1t
only places the superior advantages and
facilities for dispatching business at this
port more prominently before the country
through such reliable channels"
In concluding his report, President Purse
said: Great activity marks the year In
general trade and manufacturing enter
priSeS in the Northern, eastern ana west
ern sections of the country, but in the
South. while there is improvement, with
much activity in the extension of manu-
features. the low price of our leading prod
uct has kept the South from as fully par
tic.pating In the prosperity that has been
enjoyed by the other sections. The lesson
this conveys, it is hoped, may have its
effect in directing the attention Of the
South more forcibly TO the development of
manufactures, which has been the key
note TO the present substantial prosperity
OF other sections The South not only fur
nishes the material for cotton manufactur-
ing. but from her forest, fields and mines
is able also to supply material for an
endless variety Of manufactures that
would, when developed, with her import
ance as an agricultural section, command
for her a leading position In wealth and
trade economy"
MFR. w. b. Farr was reelected inspector
of hay and grain, a position he has filed
for many years. II is stated the regular
election of officers will not bring about
t,,apy changes