The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-17
FIGHT NOT TO LAG
,,.HD WORK FOR DEEPER CHAM
MEL WILL BE KEPT UP.
RIG INCREASE OF COMMERCE
Ar THIS PORT UNQUALIFIED BY
ANY PORT IN COUNTRY.


statistics Showing Increase of Com
uerce at New York, Boston, BaIti-
more, philadelphia, and Savannah
Prepared by Secretary DonIan.
Actual Figures Show Boats Are In
creasing Tonnage - Fewer Boats
Entered Savannah Last Year Than
in 1902, But Tonnage Is Far Great
er-A Natural outlet.
Harbors Are Doing to Secure APP
prOpriatiOns for improvements.
Interest is not waning in the pro-
feet for deeper water at Savannah and
no stone is being left unturned by
the committee having the matter in
charge to secure favorable action on
the request by Congress. Statistics
are being compiled of all kinds and
these. after being issued in pamphlet
form. will be rushed to Washington
10 be put into the hands of those look
ing after the interests of Savannah
there.
we must keep everlastingly at it,"
said one of the gentlemen deeply in
terested in the movement, land I'M
less we do we shall not succeed. The
other cities which have similar bills
10 present to Congress are leaving no
stone unturned to secure their ends.
Delegations are being rushed to Wash
tngton and statistics compiled and
congressman supporting the measures
furnished with all necessary informa-
ton. We must keep up our stand and
do our best or Savannah's interests
may be lost sight Of"
In an article on the deep water
movement, Secretary Donlan, of the
Chamber of Commerce, states that the
3O-foot channel is not simply de-
sirable Improvement in Savannah har-
Dor but that it is an absolute neces-
sity. In support of this statement
he calls attention to the fact that the
increase and percentage increase of
commerce at Savannah, being far in
excess of any other port in the United
States justifies the congressional COM
mittee in giving Savannah what she
wants.
Deep Water a Real Necessity.
The following figures, showing the
Increase and percentage increase of
commerce in Savannah and other large
ports are sufficient to indicate the
truth of Secretary DOMAINS state
ment:
Ports. Commerce. Inc.
1888. 1903 Pc
N. Y. 1885,, 48O, 637 $1,i24, $50. 1902 81
Boston 134,9OS,S24 TIA, 49,, 900 20
Bait. :. 69,602, $50 100, 5O7 ,664 81
Phila :. 1855, 300 1873, 527, 1889 IS
Savh. 1926, 62S 55,17S,24S 1856
The excellent showing made by Sa-
vannah is not a sudden squirt which
will disappear in a comparative short
time, but a gradual growth. From the
governmental statistics the increase of
Savannah's commerce for 1903 is great
er than that of 1902 by $12,615, asa. This
increase is far greater than that of
any port in the South, with the ex-
ception of New Orleans.
1t is also a well known fact that the
larger the boats on which shipments
are made, the lower the rates of freight
and insurance. In his article Secre-
tary Donlan has clearly shown that as
the depth of water in Savannah har-
Dor has increased, the tonnage per
boat entering the harbor would also
increase. In support of this statement
he adduces the following figures
In 1890 when no boats drawing more
than twenty feet of water could en-
ter, 1854 boats entered the harbor.
and cleared with a total tonnage of
l,772,417. Last year, when boats draw
ing twenty-five feet could enter 1438
vessels entered and cleared with a to-
tai tonnage of 2514851 tons. Thus.
though the number of boats which en-
tered decreased by 146, there was
large increase in tonnage, averaging
an increase of Liz tons to each boat.
Arguments for Channel,
The other arguments for the channel
which have been advanced may be
briefly summarized about as follows:
The ideal location of the port makes
u Iar more desirable for shippers than
New Orleans or Galveston. When
shipments are made at that point they
must traverse the entire Gulf and then
up the coast as far as Savannah be-
lore they can be on an equal footing
as to rates. Thus the cost of shipment
around the Gulf is practically saved
"hen shipment is made by rail to Sa-
Vannah and thence outward to say
hothlng of the saving of time made. It's
udentation also makes it very desira-
uIe' as Western manufacturers can
save considerable on railway freights.
The map prepared by Col James B.
Qulnn, summary of which has been
heretofore published in the Morning
News shows that one of the richest
sections Of the entire country is so To-
Gated that its natural outlet is Savan-
nan. When it is further taken into
consideration that the resources of
many of the states neighbors to Geor-
ga are yet undeveloped, and that
lnese states look to Savannah as their
natural outlet, the value of making the
Haeeaed Improvement, even at a cost of
SCS,VVoVOO, as has been computed by
NJ, Quinn. is inestimable and the in
'estment a wise one.
''her HarbOr Projects Advanced.
Inc principal harbor and river
p.oJects which are now before Con-
slgSs are the bills favoring Savan-
ir'H' Philadelphia, and a deeper stage
the Ohio river as far
oulh as Cairo. Each city
s aos taken some steps looking toward
turing their desired appropriation
"Il IN this matter Savannah is doing
"idl she can to protect her interests.
codNannah has sent a memorial to
ongress Statistics similar to those
ssu9Hshed above have been prepared
atiu put in the hands of the Georgia
nsIessmen and senators for use in
rp.'sllhg the bill through, and many
aaonal letters have been written to
htlal congressman of all states.
Nc HIadelphia has sent q delegation
- H.