The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-11-26
HAVE NOT GIVEN UP
STILL HOPE FOR CONSOLIDATION
OF RICE LANDS.
CHANCE WILL BE WATCHED.
FAVORABLE ONE WILL BE SEIZED
FOR CARRYING OUT OF PLAN.

Some Three Years Ago 1t Seemed
Certain That Syndicate, in
Which Boston Capitalists Were
Interested, Would Bring About n
Successful Consolidation of some
10000 Acres of Rice Lands on the
North Shore of the Savannah
Riyer-Failcd Through the Re
fusal OF Two Owners to seII-Mr.
w. p. Carmichael Discusses Pos
siBIIities of such consolidation.
The people who We're Interested
some years ago in an enterprise that
would have meant the formation of
one great rice plantation on the north
shore of the Savannah river, near Sa-
vannah, have not given up the project.
They still hope for its eventual sue
cess, and an opportunity for the pros
ecution of their plans will be watched.
Boston capitalists were interested in
the plan, which contemplated the or,
ganization of a company with a,capi-
tai of $750,000, which was to be expend-
ed in the purchase of some 16, 900 acres
of rice lands and some 10000 acres of
upland and in the establishment of a.
high bank and other Improvements on
the property.
The plans had progressed to point
where the consent of all the individual
planters save two had been secured.
In fact. papers had been signed by all
but two, and the promoters thought
that they had everything arranged be-
yond peradventure. The two owners
who had not entered into the plans,
however, remained obdurate when they
were seen, and arbitrarily refused to
consider the proposition for a merger.
They did not need the money that was
offered for their lands, though the
price was high, and positively declined
TO sell.
The refusal left the. promoters nom
plussed. From the freshet bank on the
north side OF the river, some seven
miles above the city, down to Screven'S
Ferry, all the land had been secured,
save that Of the two demurring own
ers. AS it CHANGED, the lands of the
latter, while not particularly extensive,
yet had a very wide water front. To
have built a high bank for protection
against the river and storms would
have entailed some three miles Of con-
struction along the river front of the
lands owned by those who would not
sell, amt this the prospective syndicate
did not feel like undertaking. Surveys
had been made, and 1t was estimated
that it would cost $150,000 to. construct.
the bank Afterwards a railway for
the plantation, a rice mill and many
other improvements were to have been
put In, and the principal planters,
some three or four, were to have re-
ceived a salary of $4,000 year each
for their services as superintendent.
Each would have had jurisdiction over
1000 or 5000 acres, While the smaller
planters would have become sub-super-
intendents at smaller salaries. The
planters were thoroughly in accord
with the plan. one of the promoters
said yesterday, and regretted that the
failure of others to consent to sell had
killed it, They recognized however,
that the entire tract would have been
required. and that 1t would have been
useless TO proceed with but a portion
OF II. The break was in two placss
near The ceEter, and rice planters Will
appreciate the difficulty that would
have followed an effort to AFFORD pro-
tectica for the lands.
The cultivation of 10000 acres OF rice
lands, Gafe from danger Of overflow
through tho agency OF the great bank,
wouI mean a yield Of more than 100000
bushels. IL may be understood from
these nguros that the promoters deep
ly regret tho sniscarriage Of their plan.
They are Ftill alive 20 the advantages
OF the scheme. however. and, n posi-
bic. they VIII yet carry u 20 a sue
oesaful conclusion.
The continual peril from storms ana
foods that fhreaiena rice crops can |
BE- avoided BY a combination of ne /
Interests Of the planters whose lands /
~ contiguous That a. n view that
Is expressed by Mr W - Car.
michael an old planter Who hah had /
ionR eapsrifnce ln the business snq 1
Rho hat been a heavy loser through /
~ Inability ~ n0nifol the adverse eis
merits fhNf uliiiatea against pis sue
ffsa Sc said. iu speaking ~ fics pro-
dncfiou, fbsf. hf1 hf been able ~