The Savannah morning news., 1903-04-29

the data possible on this point so as
to make the report as full as possible.
This statement drew from President
Estill the suggestion that the commit
tees take note of the fact that the sec
rotary has an enormous amount of
work to do as 1T is and the suggestion
that they get such information for
themselves wherever it is possible to
do so.
Cane Mill and Lumber Rates.
Mr.. Frank c.. Battey made an ex-
haustive report on the matter of the
cane mill and sugar refinery that Mr..
Allnut had tried to interest the Cham
Der of Commerce in. and on the inves-
tigation of the matter of increased
freight rates on lumber from Georgia
and other Southern states, to points
on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and
points beyond.
The first subject Mr.. Battey's COM
mittee, that on transportation, had In
vestigated was chiefly along the lines
of freight charges on cane in the bulk
from the fields to Savannah. Mr.. All
nut had stated that in quantities cane
could be brought to Savannah for from
Il cents to 20 cents a ton. Mr.. Bat
tey stated that it would be about 6S
cents a ton. His figures were based
on rates asked for and received from
the Atlantic Coast Line and the Sea-
board Air Line. In regard to the mat
ter of securing raw sugar from Cuba
and South American ports, no infOr
nation was secured, as neither ]. F.
Minis & Co., nor Strachan & Co, were
able to quote rates.
Question of Lumber Rates.
Referring to the work of the commit
tee in conference with the railroad rep
resentatives, in regard to the proposed
increase of rates on lumber. Mr.. Bat
tey stated that such a conference had
been had and that, later letter had
| been received from the representatives
of the roads, claiming that the protest
of the committee had been based on an
erroneous impression of the facts.
A subcommittee of the Transporta-
ton Committee in reporting to the
larger body, went into the matter of
rates, and the effect that an increase
would have on the lumbermen, very
fully, and characterized the proposed
increase, or any increase, for that mat
ter, as excessive and unreasonable. -
This report stated that the entire trade
had never been more deeply stirred. and
recommended that strenuous efforts be
made by the Chamber of Commerce to
prevent the rates becoming effective.
In the discussion that followed this
report it developed that in connection
with the injunction that the lumber
men subsequently secured from Judge
Emory Speer, the letter that had been
furnished the Chamber of Commerce
plays some kind of part, and that Sec
rotary Donlan has been subpoenaed 70
appear at the hearing of the case Nav
IL, and to furnish the court with the
letter in question. Mr.. Battey has also
been subpoenaed and, it is understood,
some of the railroad men have been
| called on.
Legislation That Is Needed.
For the Legislation Committee Mai.
Cam discussed the possibility of Sc
curing for manufactures exemption
| from either the state and county tax
or the municipal tax. 1t had been
found impossible to get a bill of this
kind through the Legislature so far.
he declared, but it may be possible to
secure such an exemption on the part
of the cities.
Further, he said, it ought to be pos
sible for the city to devote a certain
sum to the advertising of the city. to
| help the Chamber of Commerce in this
work. Atlanta appropriated $4,000 for
this purpose. Maj Cam questioned
| the legality of such an appropriation,
| and sought to find out how it had been
done.
He was told when the city attor-
ney had been consulted about the
matter prior to the appropriation he
had told the questloner a member of
the Council. that the best way to go
/ about this matter was to make the APP
preparation and wait for somebody else
| to raise the question of legality.
Such an appropriation could be
made by Savannah, he continued, for
though in a strict Interpretation of her
| charter such a matter might not be
| recognized as one for which an ap-
! preparation can be made. yet there is
a certain latitude in such matters. 1t
might come under the head of am ap-
preparation for the general welfare of
the city, and if a precedent be needed
there is the payment of a band to fur
! nish music last summer which may
serve as one.
Upon motion of Dr. Hers the Com
mlttee on Legislation was authorized to
carry out it's plans without waiting for
further authorization from the Cham
Der of Commerce.
For an Auditorium.
IAN auditorium is needed and must
be had was the spirit of Mr.. Dor
setts remarks when he addressed the
meeting on this subject. This subject
is the most important that can engage
NbC chNNCAiNlOll VI llllS bOuys he SllQ.
I'VE want to make Savannah a con-
vention city and there is no easier
way than by securing a building where
| conventions can meet" said Mr.. Dor
sett. I'VE want a hall. that can ac-
commodate 1900 people. l have taken
the preliminary steps in the matter OF
finding out the cost of such a building
and find that the maximum amount for
a substantial, If not elaborate, one is
about $751; 900.
I'VE must have an auditorium anC
when we get it we can ask any sorr
of convention here, Veterans, Travellers
Protective Associations, state, politi.
cal, and, for that matter, national DO
litical. The matter was referred to tho
Committee on Municipal Affairs.
At the request Of the Cotton Eek.
change a resolution addressed to Pres
ident Roosevelt. and asking at hi,
hands the appointment OF Col. II. g.
Hester to a place on the Panama Cana
Commission was passed, and Secre.