The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-28
MANY WILL Sign
MAYOR GAINS ENCOURAGEMENT
FROM BUSINESS MEN.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
APPEALS To THEM, AND THEY
WANT 1T ORGANIZED.

Fifteen Letters Addressed to PrOml-
nent Business Men They Have
Been Practically a Unit, Thus Far,
in IndOrsing the Plan and Agree
ing TO the Use of Their Names in
Issuing Call for a Meeting.
Mayor Myers Discusses Need-Ex-
tension of State Road to Savannah.
Enterprise Calling for 1000 EN-
plOyes.
The meeting for a discussion of
chamber of commerce will probably be
held some day this week. 1t is possible,
however, that it will be put off for
some days, as Mayor Myers said yes
terday that he is very anxious that Mr..
]. P. Williams, who is now out of the
city, attend the meeting.
The responses we have received
from letters sent out, requesting lead
ing business men to permit the use of
their names in signing a call for a
meeting" said the Mayor, ARE very
favorable. Some fifteen such letters
were sent, and of the replies that have
come in there has been but one that
has not been entirely favorable. That
one was from gentleman who said
that he heartily Endorsed the plan for
the organization of a chamber of cor
merce, but that his connection with his
firm was such as scarcely to authorize
nm in appearing among those signing
a call for a meeting.
L think there will be no trouble
about securing a suitable number of
names. There has been deep interest
manifested, and l believe that the peo-
pie of the city are aroused to the ne
cesslty for such an organization as is
proposed. L have met scores of bust
ness men who have declared their in
terest, and who have expressed a de-
sire to see the successful consumma-
ton of the plan. They have said they
wish to become members, and 1 APP
prehend that there would be no diff
Guilty in securing all the members nee
eSsary for successful chamber of
commerce. That, l think, chamber
of commerce. should be the name of
the organization.
Il quite agree with the Morning
News in its editorial, which indicates
some of the advantages that would ac-
crue from a chamber of commerce,
and comments upon the slight expense
to which it's members would be put.
1T seems to me that there would be no
| need for membership to cost more
than S. a year"
Factory and State Road.
Mayor Myers says that many in
stances wherein chamber of COM
merce would have operated to the well
fare of the city, have presented them
selves of recent years, and that there
is every prospect that there will be a
number of cases in the near future
w i'm In 60.
gressiVe body to operate for the bene-
fit of Savannah will be felt.
Il have been in correspondence" said
the Mayor, regarding a manufactur-
ing enterprise, which, if established in
Savannah, would mean the employ
ment of at least 1000 hands. l am
not now at liberty to mention what
this may be, but it is such an enter
prise as could be invited by a chamber
of commerce.
L know it for certainty that there
are to be efforts made in the coming
session of the Legislature to secure the
passage of an act for the extension Of
the State Railroad from Atlanta to
Savannah. This in an enterprise that
the people, believe, favor. A
line, forming the backbone of
the state, from Chattanooga to Savan-
nah, would offer means, greater than
any other, for the control of the great
railways of this section. The states
property could not be combined, as
can all other railways, it seems, and
the people would always have this in
| dependent line to insure equitable
rates. l believe such road could be
operated at profit, but, if operated
! at a loss, it would yet be at a profit
! for the indirect benefits to the people
would be great. The taxpayers would
gain in one way more than what they
might possibly lose in another
Now, if the people of Savannah want
such road built, an appeal from a.
chamber of commerce would certain
| ly have its effect upon our represen-
tatVes and our senator. The enter
prise but offers another example of
| the need for a chamber of commerce. ="