The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-01
THE BUSINESS SEASON OF 1YoI-1sox.

| B'-A 10 a AlbNiC Olls duG ~ SAACt
production, while in others there was
an increase. The receipts of cottor
were considerably larger than those
| of the previous year, and there was a
| slight decrease in the receipts of spirits
| of turpentine, though the receipts OF
rosin were greater. The shipments OF
humber, phosphate rock and fertilizers
We're ahead of the previous year, and
! the reports show that the sales of the
wholesale merchants were above the
average.
All the indications are that Savan-
nah is forging steadily ahead. AL
| though a commercial city, there is a
! constant increase in industries of one
kind and another. The fertilizer
plants established during the season
under consideration-one a large one
and the other mach smalier-give en-
ployment to at least 200 men. OF course
the city cannot live wholly upon her
commerce. great as that is, and fac
tories should be given every possible
encourage
The number of small industries is In
creasing for the reason, mainly, that
this city is one of the best distributing
points in the South, if, in fact, it is
not the best. Steamship lines connect
it with the principal North Atlantic
cities and railroads reach all of the
important parts of the South and
West. 1t is not a matter of wonder,
therefore, that the volume of business
passing through this port from Boston,
New York. Philadelphia and Baltimore
for points in the South and West is
growing. And the traffic from points
in the South and West to these cities
is increased all the time. This domes-
tic commerce is a pretty good indica-
ton of the development of the
South.
And the foreign commerce of the
port is extremely encouraging. Two
lines of European steamers have been
established within the last few weeks.
and there is good reason for thinking
that they will gradually build up an
import trade, There is no doubt, of
course, that they will have all of the
exports they can carry.
While 1t is true that for several
years Savannah has had harbor that
accommodates ships having a draught
of twenty-five feet, 1t is a source of
satisfaction that within a few days
an improvement will be begun that
will give her channel having a depth
of twenty-eight feet. When this inn
provement is completed Savannah's
harbor will accommodate all but the
very largest class of ships. She will
have the best and deepest harbor on
the South Atlantic coast.
No new line of railroad has been
built to Savannah during the last sea-
son. but additions to the roads she al
ready has are being constructed all
the time, bringing additional territory
within her reach. The elegant new
union depot completed last spring-the
finest structure of the kind in the
gard her as one of their best sources
of business and realize the necessity
of dealing with her in accordance with
her present and prospective impor-
lance.
OF course Savannah is going ahead,
and her growth is solid and substan-
tial. There isn't shadow of doubt
lead as the chief port of the South At
lantic. but that she is to be a great
South Atlantic city.
The one thing needed to hasten this
result is a little more effort on the
part of her people in her behalf. There
is more they can do to encourage the
establishment of Industries within her
limits and to increase her commerce.
For instance, there is an opening for
trade with Porto Rica and Cuba. 1t
ought to be taken advantage of at
once.
The new season has a look of pros
perity. In most of the territory trib-
utary to Savannah crops are reported
to be good, and good crops make bus
mess good. But much depends upon
our business men. If they put forth
their best efforts the commerce of the
city, domestic and foreign, will show
notable improvement during the sea-
son upon which we have entered.
And the people of Savannah have as
much confidence in the citys future
as the railroad companies which are
investing their money here so freely.
A glance at the building that is go
ing on in the residence portion is proof
of this. In the southern section par
ticularly many homes have been erect
ed within the last twelve months, and
others are projected. Indeed, there has
been a great deal of building in nearly
all parts of the city, and the houses
are taken as fast as they are COM
pleted. Before the fall is far advanced
the foundations for two new buildings
will be laid. One of these buildings is
to be an eight-story structure. and the
other five stories.
SOME RAILROAD FACTS.
The chances of being killed on a
railroad in the United States are not
very much greater than those for be-
s+,,,nIk nv ~. dx-i,,er frop,