The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-01-07
CITIZENS INVITED TO MEET.
GENERAL MEETING CALLED BY
The MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION.

orally DesiEed-NO SUBSCRIPTION
VIII he AsISed-MayOr Myers Talks
of the Industrial situatIon-Busi-
ness Men Discuss MIR. StrOng's SEg-
gcstiOns-President Levy Tells
Why the Interests OF the Citizens
ana the Merchants Are identical.
An adjourned meeting of citizens interes-
ted in the industrial development of Sa-
vannah will be held at the Screven House
Wednesday afternoon at o'clock. under
the auspice- Of the Merchants Association
1t is desired that all should take note
that the meeting is not one of the Mer-
chants Association, but that this body has
simply taken the lead in the movement,
and is anxious 10 secure the cooperation
of the citizens generally and all citizens
are invited.
At this meeting the committee appointed
to confer with Mayor Nxers with refer
ence 10 calling a general meeting of citi-
zens to discuss means Of advancing the
city's welfare, industria,ly and CONNER
cially, and agreeing upon proper steps to
be taken to this end, viii report, as will
also other committees appointed at the
last meeting Those who attend need have
no fear that they will be called upon 10
put their hands in their pockets in sup
port of the movement The meeting
Wednesday afternoon is simply for the
purpose OF obtaining a general expression
of views and drawing out ideas which may
lead TO practical steps,
Should it be decided to call a meeting at
the exchange for the purpose of enlisting
citizens generally in the movement it is
probable that steps viii be taken then TO
organize a citizens development associa-
ton on a permanent basis for the purpose
of securing manufacturing enterprises for
the city, and in connection with this
subscription list may be opened for all
who are willing to subscribe to stated
amounts to be invested In such nanufae-
turing enterprises as may meet with the
approval of the subscribers. Several of
the merchants have expressed Their will
ingness to subscribe considerable amounts
TO a fund TO be used for this purpose
They mean business and they want to see
the movement put on a business footing
as soon as possible. The meeting Wednes-
day afternoon, however, will be for dis
cussion only and not for subscriptions.
The agitation begun by a few of the
merchants in favor of beginning an indus
trial era for Savannah has aroused gen
eral interest, and the very pertinent re-
marks upon the needs and possibilities of
the city by Rev. Charles H. Strong at the
meeting Friday afternoon has added great
iy to this inierest.
am thoroughly in sympathy with the
movement inaugurated by the Merchants
il N al n
day, and trust that 1t win lead 20 good
results. l have made some efforts in This
direction privately since my election as
Mayor, and have had very alluring pros
poets on more than one occasion of secur-
ing the establishment of large industries
here, but something has always occurred
TO prevent the transfer. ! still have
hope of one large industry, which will add
greatly 10 the prosperity of the city,
should it be established here
There is no question that the trying
need of our city a present is manufac-
turing enterprises. l have just returned
from Richmond, which is probably the
most thriving manufacturing city in the
South to-day Richmond is fun of manu-
featuring enterprises of every description,
both large and small. 1t is true that
Richmond has great natural advantages
which her people have only begun to make
use of in the last fifteen years. She has
large water power from the James river,
is situated near the iron and coal fields.
and is in the center of the tobacco grow
ing region. This gives her large oppor-
tunities which she is making good use of.
She has large car shops, nail and machine
factories. large cigarette and tobacco fac
tories and a great number of smaller In
dustries. She has access by three lines
of rail to large feds of the best coal in
the United States, and she IS situated near
the large consuming markets of the East,
which is in itself important adVan-
tage."
Just what steps we should take TO en-
large our manufacturing interests. l con-
fess am al a loss TO say. We have con-
siderable advantages of various kinds, but
whether we can make profitable use of the
advantages for manufacturing purposes is
a question for consideration. The main
trouble is that our people have been en-
crossed in trade and are NOT trained in
manufacturing. They have succeeded in
the industries with which they are fami-
lar, of which there are a number of in
stances in our city, but they have been
unsuccessful in those with which they
were not familiar and in this doubtless
lies the secret of our failure ana sue
cess"
a well-known business man, who is not
connected with the Merchants Associa
ton, in discussing the suggestions made
by Rev Mr.. Strong, said:
ilt itilitA Ms VI MI CtIUIG DtlOIt the
Merchants Association Friday were on
the right line, and it is pleasure to knoR
that a gentleman of the 9TH is taking
such an interest in local development and
improvements His suggestion, however
of utilizing the waters IF the Ogoechea
canal as a power 70 drive factories is
hardly practicable unless The canal should
be entirely rebuilt, The water for the
high level of the Ogeechee canal is or
rather was. obtained, by draining the lit
tie Ogeechce and inundating thousands OF
acres of land in this aud bingham coun.
ties. Even with this there was not wa
ter sufficient at certain seasons to supply
the canal Possibly by daming the Great
Ogeechee river and raising the banks o.
the canal 1t might be poss!b to get
sufficient head Of water 10 drive factories
but the expense would be such as 10 pre-
vent any capitalist investing in the enter
price.
However, the discussion is on the right
line, ana much could be done by carry
ing our Mr.. Strong's suggestion of enlarc-