The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-15
FOR DEEPER WATER
BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR SUCCESS OF
s,V.NNAH HARBOR MOVEMENT.
DECLARATION OF BURTON
r.~s THAT SAVANNAH WILL DE
Considered BEFORE OHIO.

order of Their TOnnnSe ana IN
.osa in Recent Yenrs-ln In
o-aase Savannah Can Be Equaled
NJ. None Says Secretary DOnIan-
,tonomenaI Growth, Is Maintain
a wouId Soon Make This Lead
.,1 Port of the COuntry-Active
Measures Necessary to Offset Ac-
tim of other States Interested in
Home Measures.
The chances Of the bill for a deeper
stsge OF water from Savannah to the
sea receiving favorable considera-
ton at the hands of the Rivers and
lIarbor Committee of the House is
onnarently brighter than ever. Con-
gresham Burton, chairman of the
committee, has made declaration re-
garding the ways in which moneys for
river and harbor improvement will be
distributed, which means that Savan-
nah will come in among the leaders.
In an interview with representative
of the Cincinnati Enquirer, Mr.. Burton
says:
al have not declared against the
deeper stage (nine feeD for the Ohio
river. but have only said that if you
could show me way in which we
could secure the money l would glad
" work for it. But when there are
number of bills to come before the
House from other places in the coun-
try, the desire to serve our own sec
ton must give way, at least in part,
TO the just claims of other sections for
primary consideration.
When these bills, or requests, come
before the committee there are sew
eral things which must be taken into
consideration. One of these is the
tonnage on the river or in the harbor
asking for improvements. With many
applica tions from places with much
greater tonnage than the Ohio, it is
difficult to see how we can favor Ohio
to the exclusion of the other places
THE relative increase in tonnage
must also be taken into consideration
in making up our report. The newspa-
pers of this section of the country
have attacked me several different
times for my attitude on the deeper
stage for the Ohio, but l am only
treating the matter in full justice to
other applicants. 1 have never taken
any ground opposing the On to Cal
ro' movement.
Statement Means Much for SRvan-
nah.
The above statement means much for
Savannah and the harbor improve
ment here. Congressman Burton, as
chairman of the Committee on River
and Harbor improvements. is very
good authority for the action that will
be taken by the committee. His out
line of the way in which bills will be
treated means that Savannah will come
in among the leaders.
The three principal bills which are
before the committee are those asking
for deeper water in Philadelphia harbor
and the Delaware river, the deeper
stage for Savannah, and the nine-foot
stage for the Ohio river. There are a
number of smaller bills either before
the House. or which will yet be pre-
sented but those mentioned above will
take the first rank. New York is after
a 45-foot stage, but the bill may not
be presented this session.
Under the plan outlined by Chair
man Burton, Savannah would come at
least second in consideration. The
tonnage in Philadelphia harbor will ex-
coed that of this Port. but that of the
Ohio will fall far below Savannah. In
the Importance of the materials i'm
ported and exported even Philadelphia
will probably be behind Savannah.
If the New York bill should be pre-
scented it would have first place as far
as tonnage is concerned. but that is
all In the matter of the increase Sa-
vannah would far exceed 1t. In TINS
respect this harbor can be equalled by
none in the United States. Taking all
things into consideration the outlook
for the success of the Savannah Dill is
very bright.
Phenomenal Increase at Savannah.
In speaking of the increase in Sa-
Vannah harbor Secretary Donlan of
the Chamber of Commerce said:
''In this respect there is no port in
the United States which can equal Sa-
vannah. New York has a natural in
crease each year, but here the in
crease is so great that it can justly
be called phenomenal. The only rea-
son that it is not even greater is be-
cause we are handicapped by lack OF
the proper depth of water.
Attention should also be called to
the fact that considerable amounts OF
imports are going to other ports which
should come to Savannah, and Which
would come here were 1t not Tor the
fact that the vessels cannot easily en-
ter our port. With proper facilities in
the water line our increase would be
even more astonishing than it is at
present.
IF the increase of the last twenty
years is maintained without diminution,
in sixty-flve years we should nearly
equal New York in the tonnage of the
harbor. If all things are taken into
consideration 1 do not see how Con-
gress can reject our application"
Active Measures are Necessary
Active measures are necessary to Sc
cure prompt action from Congress. The
states interested in the deep stage for
the Ohio have arranged to send large
delegations to Washington. the major
ity of whom will remain there during
the session. This delegation will be
under the leadership of Col. John
Vance, an old and experienced river
man. Philadelphia will also send a
large delegation to the Capitol to sup
port Senator Penrose and Congress
man Atcheson.
The arrangements here will be equal
~ effective, but as one gentleman in
terested in the movement said, There
must be no let-up." Secretary Donlan
will prepare statistics showing the rel
ative increase in tonnage in Savannah
harbor and other harbors of the coun-
try The report of Col. Quinn on the
possibilities of increase with deeper
water will also be used as an argument
before Congress. The united support
of the Georgia delegation will be given
the bill, and every effort should be