The Savannah morning news., 1901-03-28
WANT TO COMBINE
NAVAL STORES HOUSES CONSIDER
ING A CONSOLIDATION.
JACKSONVILLE MEN IN 1T.
HELD A CONFERENCE WITH HEADS
OF SAVANNAH FIRMS.


Houses Represented mt the Confer
ence-None of Those who Attend
ed Would Talk About It-Secrecy
Was EnjOined-C. b. Rogers and w.
+. Coachman of Jacksonville Are
working the Scheme-It Will
Probably BE No More Popular
Than the Plan That Failed "A Year
or So Ago.
Another big naval stores consolidation
scheme is on foot 1t embraces nearly, if
not quite, all the naval stores commission
houses in Savannah. 1t is said, too, that
the chances for the success of the plan
are bright, and that 1t is not destined
to the failure that marked that inaugu-
rated year or more ago by Mr.. j. K.
Garnett.
Mr.. C. B. Rogers and Mr.. w. F. Coach
man of Jacksonville are engineering tae
scheme. Mr.. Rogers is president, and Mr..
Coachman is vice president and general,
manager OF the Florida Naval Stores and
Commission Company. They have been in
conference with representatives of the
Savannah commission firms, and it is said
that negotiations are pending that have
every appearance of resulting in a con-
solidation.
Messrs. Rogers and Coachman were in
Savannah a day or two ago. They were
here by appointment and met representa-
tives of the local firms at the De Soto,
where long conference was held. Just
what was done could not be learned as
the Savannah factors who attended would
have nothing to say about it, They would
not even admit that such a conference
had been held, but from other sources the
information was gained
The Southern Naval Stores COMPANY
was represented by Mr.. w. c. Powell;
the Ellis, Young Company by Mr.. John
X Young; Peacock, Hunt & West Com
pany by Mr.. West; ]. p. Williams &
Co. by Mr.. Williams, and Chestnut e.
O'Neill by Mr.. j. b. Chestnut. Other
firms of factors are also concerned in
the consolidation scheme, it is said, and
1t seems probable that the opposition that
discovered itself to Mr.. Garnett's scheme
will be lacking.
1t was that opposition that resulted in
the miscarriage of the plans of the pro-
motors of the former consolidat ton
scheme. Mr.. Chestnut was then on the
other side, opposing the proposed con-
solidation with vehemence and ability that
were largely responsible for it's defeat. If
there Is to be any Illustration of the pres
ent plan 1t must look to some other
source than Mr.. Chestnut, as he is identi-
fed with the party that seeks to effect the
consolidation.
Mr.. Chestnut was seen yesterday about
the enterprise. He would not admit
there was such scheme afoot, but, on
being told that IL was understood that
he had attended the conference he said
that If there were such plan contem-
plated. it was altogether different in it's
character from that undertaken by Mr.
Garrett and others.
Representa- ives of two others of the
companies mentioned were seen, but they
would divulge nothing at all of the con-
ference or the matters that were dis
oussed. 1t was quite evident that the af-
fair had not assumed an aspect that they
considered admitted of its discussion.
1t is quite probable that news of the
prospective consolidation will be followed
by the earnest protest of the great num-
Der of employees OF the houses in Savan-
nah. The same fears that were prompted
by the prospect of the former consolida-
ton viii be revived. The employees were
then afraid that the amalgamation OF the
interests of the factors would mean a
consolidation of operative forces and the
consequent discharge of a great many Of
ficers and clerks, who would not longer
be needed. II was thought by property
owners, too, that it would mean the con-
solidation of offices and the withdrawal
of many firms from the offices they now
occupy The plan, on the whole was
thoroughly unpopular, and, il that now
considered by the Jacksonville gentlemen
and the Savanuahians, who met them is
similar in its nature. it is probable that
1t will prove no more popular.
Just how the scheme is to be financed,
could not be ascertained. None who was
willing to talk was able to enter into
details, as accurate knowledge is lack
ing, outside of those who were at the
conference. Strictest secrecy was i'm
posed upon all OF those, and they are not
prepared to make any announcement.