The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-20

ganization representing a united move
ment by all business interests for the
advancement of the city is desirable.
His good will was expressed for any
efforts in this direction. and the pub
lie spirit he has shown to-
wards all commercial and other public
movements in the past indicates the,
stand he will take. Gen. Gordon has
figured prominently in the organiza-
ton of Savannah's present commercial
exchanges. He was the prime mover
in the organization of the Savannah
Bureau of Freight and Transportation,
and he stood by that organization I'M
til the last.
While he sees much good a chamber
of commerce would be to the city Gen.
Gordon believes that If such an or
ganization is undertaken 1t should be
upon a strictly business basis by per-
sons willing to support it, and not be
the creature merely of an outburst of
enthusiasm. If organized along the
right lines, he sees much good such
a body could render, and the useful
place it would fill in the community.
Col. Beirne Gordon favors any
movement that will bring together all
interests in efforts to advance the city
and promote its trade. Whatever con-
duces to better facilities for Savan
nah helps general trade, and should
be encouraged. He expressed a will
ingness to encourage any movement to
organize a body. representing all in
trests, to work for Savannah.
Two Bank Presidents Not for 1t.
President Mills B. Lane, of the Cit
liens Bank, does not believe that
chamber of commerce would accom-
plish any real good for the city.
IF it should be formed" he said,
lit would be in effect a revival of the
Bureau of Freight and Transportation,
and ! hardly believe that anyone con-
nected with that institution can be
found who will say it accomplished
anything of value towards the promo
tion of Savannah's business interests.
Its only visible result was to provide
one man with a position and to adver-
tise to the country such disadvantages
as obstruct Savannah's progress. Moth
ing of her many good points was COM
municated to the world through its
agency.
THE transportation companies do not
deserve the criticism of Savannah
business men. Certainly they have
done as much for Savannah as Sa-
vannah has done for them"
a similar view of the situation is
held by Capt. Henry Blum, president of
the Germania Bank.
ut is all a question of supply and
demand" he said. IF there is a heavy
demand for freight transportation.
those who have it to offer can and will
maintain the rates: when the demand
is less than the supply the rates will
be lowered. This is a business PROPOSE
ton that obtains throughout the bust
ness world.
For myself, 1 believe that if injus-
tice is being done any industry. the
proper thing for those to do. who are
injuriously affected. is to make their
complaints to headquarters. If there 10
a wrong. I believe it will be righted.
1.-The freight to or from Savannah
represents but a small proportion, rel
atively, of the total business of the
Ocean Steamship Company and to
make the line pay traffic arrange
ments with lines of railway are vi
tai necessity.
I'VE have had chambers of commerce
in the past, but don't remember they
accomplished any particular good.
repeat that the way to correct abuses
is by conference with those who con-
troll the transportation lAes. An APP
peal by those injured, / believe, will
be as effectual as If it were joined in
by men in other lines of businss."