The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-12-26
MARINE MATTERS.
TRADE BODIES HAVE AN EYE OUT
FOR IIARBOR MONEY.

ments Desired MIR. j. n. Williams
Does Not Favor Antagonizing the
Trade Bodies With Any Function
Exports of Cotton Daring the Past
Ten Days Large.
When the time comes for taking ag-
gressive steps towards obtaining funds
from the government with which to
deepen the channel of the Savannah
river the trade bodies will no doubt
take a holder stand than they have
heretofore. This is evident from the
expressions of executive officers of
both the Cotton Exchange and the
Board of Trade, who are particular to
do nothing that will lessen Savannah's
chances of getting the necessary funds
for harbor improvements later on.
Speaking along this line Mr.. j. p.
Williams stated yesterday that unless
it was imperatively called for he did
not approve any action that will bring
the trade bodies of this city into CON
fiict with the government, or any func-
ton under it. Mr.. Williams was at
NAS SAAAiN ANANAiAhS Pshi AiN'AAhlly " NAlN
talk in some quarters about the Cot
ton Exchange taking official action
upon the finding of the court of inquiry
in the Schley { squabble. Realizing
that upon the Improvement to the har-
Dor depends largely the future pros
perity of this city Mr.. Williams natu,
rally feels backward about assuming
to criticise the decision of a court APP
nnintnd ~ hn eae,t 10. t,,Ns iVsa.
into and pass upon a public matter.
He does not see the propriety of the
Cotton Exchange taking official action
upon the finding of the court, though
it is understood to BIZ his intention to
submit the letter recently received by
him from the Portsmouth Cotton Ex>
change, and requesting action on the
courts finding, to the next meeting of
the Board of Directors as a matter of
information to be acted upon as they
see fit. 1t is evident that Mr.. Will
liams has in view the dependence of
the city upon it's pleasant relations with
all departments of the government If
its cooperation is to be had in MAX
ing contemplated harbor improve
ments.
The large exports of cotton through
Savannah so far this season indicate
that the port is losing none OF its
prestige with interior shippers and eX-
porters. Something like 100000 bales
were exported during the past fort
night. The receipts so far this season
are 100000 ahead of last season to this
time, with the crop generally admitted
as being a short one, which may be
taken to indicate that the port is not
only holding its business, but is adding
to 1t very materially.
New Orleans Picayune: r. p. Clark,
one of the largest contractors on har-
Dor Improvement work now in prog
ress on the Gulf coast, was in the city
last night. and had conference with
the Republican leaders. Mr.. Clark Is
doing a large amount of government
work, and is naturally very much In
terested in the rivers and harbors bill
about to be prepared for presentation
in Congress.
II think it very likely that the Gulf
coast will get very liberal number
of appropriations for the coming year"
said he, land among them there is lit
tie doubt that the Improvement of the
southwest passage will be one of the
most important. That is sure to go
through If anything can be said to be
certain. Galveston is looking for big
appropriations and so is Houston for
the construction of her deep water
scheme. in which we are very much
interested"
Are you doing anything to help the
cause along?" asked the reporter.
II do not think there is much that
can be done. Every port and water
way that wants an appropriation has
laid plans to have the case presented
in the most forcible manner possible,
and the committee will doubtless have
a busy time during the three weeks
that they have agreed to devote to
the preparation of the bill, but l can
not see that we can do anything to
help. We are contractors, and, of
course, have an interest in getting as
many appropriations as possible
through, but we have little to say in
any particular case, except as to the
estimates of work necessary and cost
of same to complete work already COM
menced. AS / said to you once before,
there is very liberal feeling toward
the South and particularly the Gulf
cost, and the whole section Is pulling
together, or appears to be. for the gen.
eral good, and will probably get all
that she can properly expect for the
present"