The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-07-08
RICE PLANTERS
WANT OPEN DOOR
FOR THEIR PRODUCT IN CUBA.
WILL MEET HERE AND INAUGU-
RATE EFFORT TO THAT END.

Petition to BE Drawn Up and For
warded TO GcOrGin's Senator's nnd
congressman similar Effort
Started in LOuisiana-Cuba Said to
BE One of Best Markets of WOrId
for Rice-May Assist in Getting
Savannah Line of Steamers TO
West Indies.
An important meeting of the rice
growers of this section will be held in
Savannah about July 20, for the pur-
pose of discussing the outlook of the
business, and to pass resolutions ask
ing the senators and congressman of
Georgia to assist in an effort to be in
augurated. having for its object the
putting of rice on the free list of ex-
ports to Cuba. that is to have it put
on the list of articles on which reci-
procity is granted.
1t is understood that a similar move
ment has been begun by the Louisiana
and Texas growers. The planters of
this section will align themselves with
the effort, and it is hoped to make
such a showing as will enable the
movement to be carried to a success
full end. The growing Importance of
the rice crop of the country is now so
well recognized that the Department of
Agriculture will, in future, make re-
port on it's condition in it's regular
monthly bulletin.
The condition of the crop in Savan-
nahs territory is very fine indeed,
though the acreage has been reduced
about SO per cent. as compared with
acreage of the former year and the
yield will, therefore, be much less than
usual. 1t is expected now that the
cutting of the early varieties of the
crop will begin about Aug. 20.
Outlook is Very Poor.
AS to the general condition of the
rice business Mr.. w. G. Morrell who is
one of the best authorities on this sub
ject in this section, says that the out
look is very poor. The whole yield
of the Atlantic seaboard, he says, will
be only about 100000 bushels, while
the crop of Louisiana and Texas will
be about 100000. In the Southwest
the crop is sold through toll mills, and
as these will in many cases sell al
toll, the market is disorganized, and
not only the planters of the Southwest
but the whole trade. suffers as a con-
sequence.
Despite the large sales that are made
so great is the crop that for this sea-
son about 100000 bushels will be car
ried over. 1t is to secure a market
for the large crop that is now being
raised that the planters wish to get a
lower rate of duty into Cuba. That is
land is said to be one of the best mar
kets in the world for rice, and it's con-
sumption of this food is as great as
that of the whole United States. Al
present American rice is practically
barred because of the heavy duty, but
with this once removed a large and
profitable trade would be quickly built
uD.
May Mean Steamer Line.
Savannah is interested in this move
ment from more than one standpoint
for with rice on the free list and large
shipments from this port, an oppor-
tunity would be presented for getting
the long coveted steamship line be-
tween this city and the West Indies.
Because of the general interest that
this matter has to the business men
of this city, and territory it is prob
able that when the rice men have met
an effort will be made by them to en-
list the support and cooperation of
Savannahs trade bodies in their ef-
fort