The Savannah morning news., 1903-10-20
TO SEND PETITIONS
FIRST STEP TOWARDS THIRTY
FOOT CHANNEL.
THREE TRADE BODIES
WITH CITY. WILL ADDRESS COM
MUNICATIONS TO CONGRESS.

Port Statistics with Map of savan-
nah and Territory Tributary Will
he Sent to Every Member of Con-
gress and to All Who Can Help
the Project-LetteFs Will Be Writ
ten by Chamber OF Commerce. Cot
ton Exchange aud Board OF Trade
to kindred BOdies-PIans Have
Been Outlined.
So that nothing will be left undone in
an effort to secure for savannah a
thirty-foot channel at mean low water,
the Chamber of Commerce VIII address
a letter TO every Chamber OF Com
Inerce in the country, the Board OF
Trade to every similar organization.
the Cotton Exchange TO every other
Cotton Exchange, and the individuals
in these three trade bodies will write
personal letters to merchants and
others.
This was agreed upon. at the sugges-
tion of Col. !. H. Estill. at a meeting
of the joint committee of representa-
tives of the trade bodies and the city.
at the City Exchange yesterday after
noon. Mayor Myers presided, and Col.
Estill. Mr.. Lawrence Mcneil. Mr.. ].
N. Barnard and Congressman Lester
were present. Mr.. Thomas Gamble,
Jr., acted as secretary. Although the
committee was not in session long,
several matters of Importance were
agreed upon, and when the next meet
ing of the general committee is held af-
fairs will be in shape for the starting
of campaign that is certain to be at
tended with results.
Petitions for Congress.
Congressman Lester was able to fur
nish the committee with some valua-
BILE suggestions and advised as to the
proper manner in which to put the
project through. Each of the three
trade bodies and City Council will pre-
pare and send to Congress petitions
asking for the thirty-foot channel and
setting forth reasons why Savannah
should have a deeper channel.
Accompanying these petitions will be
a map showing Savannah and its ter
ritory tributary. These maps will also
be sent to the various trade bodies in
other places and the project will be
brought to the attention of persons all
over the country. This will be the first
step taken in the stupendous undertake
ing.
Not only will an effort be made to
interest the trade bodies throughout
the country. but the government con-
tractors will have their attention call
ed to what is wanted. and will be
asked to use their influence in Con-
gress Col. Estill suggested that it
would be wise not to forget the folks
who keep in such close touch with the
government.
Want All to Work.
1t is desired to arouse interest in
the project and have just as many
people at work as possible. In this
way Savannahs claim would be pre-
scented to a large number of congress-
men and senators. The first thing that
would be done, Congressman Lester
informed the committee, would be the
ordering of a survey.
Col. Estill said he would be willing
to undertake to address letters to ev-
cry member of both branches of Con-
country and ask them to use their in
fiuence with their national representa-
tives in behalf of Savannah's project.
He said he realized that ii would re-
Quire a large amount of work to do
this, but he believed the results would
be very beneficial.
A booklet similar to one gotten out
when a fight was being made for a.
2S-foot channel, will be published,
and will be placed where it will
do the most good. 1t will contain
a map similar to the one that will
be sent to Congress and will give the
statistics of the port. This book
creased at this port and the great need
for thirty feet of water at mean low
water.
Would Benefit Thousands.
Mr.. Barnard stated that with a chan
mel such as is desired passenger steam
ers could leave at the same hour each
sailing day, and would arrive at their
docks on or about schedule time. This
would be of benefit TO thousands Of
people throughout the country, who
make trips between Savannah and
New York, Boston, Philadelphia and
Baltimore, and an effort will be made
TO enlist their support. This fact will
be brought out in the booklet that
Secretary Gamble will compi1e.
The railroads will be urged to take
an active part in the work. and
merchants will be requested to do
some letter writing on the subject. The
matter viii be gone about systematical-
~, and every avenue to success will be
looked after. At the meeting of the
general committee sub committees will
be appointed so that all of the work
will not fall on two or three men. and
so that the situation can be covered
thoroughly. Col. Lester will look after
the welfare of the project in the River
and Harbor Committee of Congress,
where in the past he has been so val
liable in securing deeper water for Sa-
vannah.
Delegate to Mississippi.
Mayor Myers called the attention Of
the committee to the fact that he had
been asked to appoint a delegate to the
Levee Convention and meeting of the
Interstate Mississippi River Improve
ment and Levee Association on Oct. 81.
Mr.. Myers stated that he intended to
name some person to represent Savan-
nah at the convention and this will be
done. The Mayor has not vet made
selection and is open to suggestions.
Secretary Gamble was directed to ad
dress a letter to Secretary w. A. Ever
man Of the Levee Convention. inform
ing him Of the good wishes of Savan-
nah and of the Mayors intention to
name a delegate.
HAS WRITTEN MAYOR