The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-03-29

channel by the application of the canal
ling system for river and harbor improve
ment, so successfully applied in his work
by Capt. Eads at the mouth of the Mis-
sissippi river. The underlying principle
in this character of work for securing
permanence lay in the resultant scOur
from more closely combining the water
of the river and increasing the volume
and intensity of flow. 1t was never
claimed that in the Savannah river it
would do away with dredging, in order
20 keep the channel clear of sedmentary
deposits; but the deposit of sediment to
De annually removed exceeds estimates
in the opinion of those acquainted with
the problem, and it will always be at
a heavy expenditure that our rivers
depth can be uninterruptedly maintained.
IN this dilemma we naturally turn
again to the possibilities of the south
channel for not only affording a more
stable depth, but" also greater depth,
which must be secured to hold the COM
merce now seeking this port. Engineers
think the South channel can be improved
and made deeper than the North chan
mel without jetties or artificial canallng,
and afford at the same time, q shorter,
straighter and safer channel to the ocean,
and that $1,500,O0O to $1.S00O0O will accom-
plish this result for which amount we
have the nucleus in the $500 600 for break
water at Tybee, now abandoned, not used
and now locked up in the treasury. There
need be no speculation about the cost
of the work, which can be done without
lnterrupting our commerce a single mo-
ment. Upon a formal application by this
body, or the Cotton Exchange or the
Mayor and aldermen, or all jointly, to
the Secretary of War, who is fully en-
powered under general statutes to have
preliminary survey made, and there can
be no doubt he would grant request, and
have determined, at once, the advisability
and cost of the new channel.
The disintegrating forces of the ela-
ments will sooner or later make necessary
repair of present jetty system. 1t will
be impossible even then to deepen the
channel about the jetties, so as to secure
Is feet or so feet at mean high tide now
becoming an imperative demand, if our
port prestige is TO be maintained Yet
for this purpose large sum will be
required while a permanent Improvement
in the south channel of greater value
can be accomplished at less cost. and its
importance and value can be more readi-
ly impressed upon committees of Congress
in securing the necessary appropriation
for the work. In former successful efforts
to secure appropriations for the improve
ment of our river and harbor, your body
took an important part, and would prob
ably be called upon to do their part in
any further efforts to the same end.
The president recommended that the an
nual meetings be held hereafter on the
first Wednesday in April of each year, ana
that the election of president, vice presi-
dent and directors be held on second
Wednesday in April. It was also recon-
mended that the rules be changed so as
to throw the election of the inspector of
hay and grain into the hands of the
board of directors, instead of having It
devolve upon the whole board at the an
nual sessions.
In concluding his report, President Purse
said:
Much has been recently said about the
decadence of the board in the loss of its
membership; but nothing is done to stay
this disintegratins tendency. 1t is no one
officers or members duty to mend this
condition; but the duty of every member
equally to do his part in stopping its con-
tinuance. If we had been doing this we
would not have occasion for repining
now. From whatever cause or where the
cause for existing conditions lie, your
president takes his place with the hum
blest member in assuming his share of
the responsibility and after to-day, is
ready to join hands with those who feel
the same unselfish interest that he has
always shown in the prosperity of the
Board of Trade for its upbuilding."
The report of the Finance Committee
that the dues remain as at present $40 a
year. was adopted by the board.