The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-01
LINE TO HAVANA
SEEMS PROBABLE
USE OF STEAMER RENDERED
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. If LINE
IS DECIDED ON.

Vessel IN 1s-KnOt steamer-Com-
mittec of Three Appointed to
Further Investigate Conditions.
CarEOes Discussed at Meeting of
Transportation Committee and
Merchants - Passenger Service
Would Prove n Feature.
A committee of three has been ap-
pointed to communicate with different
steamship lines regarding the estab-
fishing of q direct line of boats between
Savannah and Havana. This action
was determined upon at the meeting Of
the Chamber of Commerce Transporta-
ton Committee yesterday afternoon.
Besides the members OF the commit
tee there were a large number Of mer-
chants and business men present, by
the outset that the committee desired
to have as accurate an idea as possible
of the amount of freight which would
be sent from Savannah.
The representatives of the different
enterprises, each told the chair man just
dbbuL NildN COulu be uOilG ny INN III
this line. The outlook in the line of
soap, oils. lards. crate goods, lumber,
shoes, etc, is apparently very bright
and several promised to put forth their
best efforts to build up their Cuban
business in case the line is established.
Passenger Service Profitable.
Attention was also called 10 the prof
70 tI,g,N Il. Ill
passenger service. The present service
to Havana from Tampa and Key West
was reported to be VIGOROUSLY poor,
and all tourists would prefer to MAKE
the trip direct from Savannah than
from any of these other points.
The only possible hitch in the pro-
ceedings will he the securing of good
freight rates from the railroads that
tap the northwest. 1t is from this sec
ton that much of the grain expected
to be shipped will be drawn. and low
rates must be secured If it is TO be sent
to Cuba via Savannah. There was
considerable doubt expressed as to
whether or not these rates could be Sc
cured.
steamer Has Been offered.
Secretary W. !. Donlan then read a
letter from a resident of Havana, set
ting forth the advantages that would
accrue to Doth ports from the establish
ment of the line. In his opinion the
line could be made a paying one, and
he heartily Endorsed the project.
Mr.. Donlan further stated that
prominent party of the North, whose
name he was not yet at liberty to men
ticn. had written him that a large 18-
knot steamer was in his possession
with which he would establish the line
If the chamber decided to go ahead
with the work. This information was
enthusiastically received by those at
the meeting.
On motion of Mr.. G.. V. Denny, the
chairman appointed a committee TO con-
salt with the owner of the steamer
other steamship companies, and the
railroad officials with the object of Sc
curing complete information on all
points. Messrs. G. v. Denny, A. b.
Moore, and George F. Tennille were
named to serve on the committee.
Establish Line to Jamaica,
A request had been made to the COM
mittee that, If possible, a stop be made
at Jamaica. The location of Jamaica
makes this practically impossible
without impairing the Havana service
seriously. The subject of establish
ing a line to Jamaica was then taken
up.
Assurance were given by relative
of fruit raisers in Jamaica that they
alone would supply sufficient freight
to the steamer to make such a line
pay. This was absolutely guaranteed.
IT was also stated that there would be
ready marked in Jamaica for Ameri-
can goods of all descriptions and this
would supply the steamers with
freight on both trips.
n rfK,rr to fhA 10 nf 70
at which the subject came up, it
was but little discussed, though it
was evident from what was said at
the meeting that the majority of the
committee would favor establishing
such a line.
Another meeting of the committee
will be called as soon as the sub-com-
mittee can make up its report The
final report will then be formulated
and presented to the Chamber of Com
merce.