The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-09-17
COTTON MEN KICK
SAY SAVANNAH is Disseminated
AGAINST IN RATES.
PETITION TO THE EXCHANGE.
DIRECTORS ARE ASKED TO HAVE
UNJUST RATES REDUCED.

Petition Was Circulated Yesterday
Among the Members of the EN-
change-DecIare Savannah Should
Have Equal Privileges With Other
Ports-Discrinlinati the Rates
Sho w Directors May Consider
Matter To-day transportation
Men Do Not Discuss the Rates to
which Objections Are Raised.
The local cotton trade circulated a
petition yesterday to bring to the at
tention of the Board of Directors of
the Savannah Cotton Exchange the
prevailing freight rates on cotton by
the Ocean Steamship Company from
Savannah to New York and the lower
rate from interior points via Savannah
to New York, an account of which ap-
peared in the commercial columns of
the Morning News yesterday.
The difference in these rates was at
first the subject of floor discussion on
the Exchange but it has now taken
tangible form in a petition, and prom
ises to result in bringing all interests
together, with a view to removing dis
advantages in freights which now ham
dicap the Savannah trade in competi-
ton with interior shippers.
The petition was freely signed by ex-
porterS, factors, brokers and others of
the trade, asking that the directors of
the Cotton Exchange consider certain
conditions which place this port at
disadvantage with the interior in land
ing cotton in the East. 1t is asserted
that cotton can be shipped out of jack
sonville Brunswick and Charleston
cheaper to New York than it can
through Savannah, and the trade see
in these conditions a great drawback
to the business here unless prompt and
effective steps are taken to at least put
Savannah upon an equal footing with
its competitors.
How the Rates Operate.
The disadvantage the trade desire re-
moved is the fact that an interior ex-
porter can ship cotton from the in
terror point through Savannah to New
York cheaper than local exporter can
land cotton there from Savannah. Tx
peters more conveniently located TO
Jacksonville, Brunswick and Charles
ton can do the same through those
ports. The trade are in the unenviable
position of finding the third to the larg-
est cotton exporting port in the world
at a decided disadvantage with all the
minor ports hereabout in rates to New
York and the eastern mills. For in
stance, the rate from Macon to New
York via Savannah is SAC per 100
pounds to Savannah, and 15c per 100
by the coastwise line to destination,
making the through rate Acc. On the
other hand, the rate of 34c from Macon
to Savannah, plus 23c, the present rate
from Savannah to New York on cot
ton shipped from here. makes a
through ate of SIC, which is 40c per
bale more than the interior handler
| pays.
| Mr.. j. P. Williams, president of the
! Cotton Exchange, said the complaint
would come formally. before the direc-
| tors to-day or tomorrow at their reg
ular monthly meeting. Then the cotton
| men will make their complaint, and
ways will be discussed as to the prop
er action to take in effecting a remedy
| for the present unsatisfactory condi-
| lions. Savannah can at least insist up
| on being placed upon an equal foot
ing with other ports in the shipping of
cotton to the East, and Mr.. Williams
has no doubt but the complaints will
| be presented in a way that will bring
| about some kind of satisfactory adjust
ment.
Want Equal Privi1eges.N
Mr.. G. E. Dickinson said the local
| cotton trade are at a disadvantage
with practically the entire of the trade
! in the South Atlantic states. AS a
| result of the rise in contract values at
New York cotton might be shipped
| there to apply upon contracts at a
profit, but for the facr that Savannah
has to pay higher freight rate to New
| York than the interior exporter, or
than shippers from all neighboring
| ports. This he regards as manifestly
unjust, and believes that the trade
| have right to insist upon being Civ
| en- the same privileges enjoyed by 9TH
| er ports. Mr.. Dickinson believes pres
| ent conditions demand the prompt and
serious consideration of the cotton
| trade.
Mr.. L. M. Erskine local agent of
the Ocean Steamship Company, was
asked regarding the existing rates and
| the alleged discrimination in favor of
the interior. AS fixing rates is not a
part of Mr.. Erskine's duties. he de-
clined to have anything to say.
Mr.. John NJ. Egan, president of the
Central of Georgia, was also seen.
So far as the Ocean Steamship Com
pany is concerned. he said he could
say nothing, and as to the alleged dis
examinations made in the rates to
Charlotte and Lynchburg, he likewise
| could say nothing, as neither of these
| nlaceS Is roo pnad hxy tho