The Savannah morning news., 1904-09-18
BUSINESS MEN
RAISE A PROTEST
ON ATLANTRS SHREWD MOVE
ACTING MAYOR DIXON SUGGESTS
MASS MEETING BE HELD.


Der Company Add Their Protests
Against PaIpabIe Injustice which
Freight Reductions Ordered ny
Railroad Commission viii DO
Their Business.
Its simply another illustration of
Atlanta's grabbing propensity. And
the rest OF the state, particularly this
section, sits calmly by and does moth
ing.
Let the business men get together
and protest. Let them howl long,
and hard, and often. If necessary let
convention of the business men i'm
this section he held. Let them de-
mand their rights and show Atlanta
that il is not really the state of Gcor-
gia after all From statement made
by Acting Mayor James NJ. Dixon with
reference to reduction in freight rates
for benefit of Atlanta, as against Sa-
vannah and other cities and towns in
Georgia.
The discrimination against Savannah,
and other places in Georgia, in favor
of Atlanta, by the reduction in freight
rates on certain manufactured articles,
made in Atlanta, has put Savannah
business men to thinking, and it is
probable that some action will be taken
next week to have the wrong that has
been done by the Railroad Commits
sion righted.
Acting Mayor James M. Dixon be-
lieves that the business men should get
together and file "A protest that the
Railroad Commission will never forget
Mr.. Dixon thinks a fight should be
made until the wrong has been righted,
and Savannah, Macon, Augusta and in
termediate points, have received JUS
tlce at the hands of the Railroad Com
mission.
Not Treated Fairly.
THE business men and industries
in this section Of the state have not
received fair treatment at the hands
of the Railroad Commission" said Mr..
Dixon. "and we should insist upon
getting that which we are entitled to.
It's another case of Atlanta playing
the hub for the state and grabbing ev-
erything in sight
Not only grabbing, but as usual,
getting the thing at which IL grabs.
Atlanta is the greatest buffer on earth
and it's high time that the rest of the
state arise in it's might and smite the
city blow that it will no forget in a
hurry. If necessary call a convention
of business men and map out plan"
stirred by Exposition.
Stirred up by the full exposition OF
the effect of the action of the Geor-
gia Railroad Commission upon Savan-
nah industries, by the Morning News,
manufacturers and business men gen.
orally are indignant at the shrewd
move on the part of Atlanta by which
the commission was induced to grant
that city differential rates as against
Savannah and other manufacturing
centers of the state.
Many were in favor of calling a
meeting of the various business organ
izations of the city and the appoint
ment of a committee TO visit Atlanta
and present the real facts in the case
to the commission, who, it is believ-
ed was unduly influenced by the pres
sure of the Atlanta papers, and the
sentiment of that city. One promi-
nent merchant thought that the papers
of the Atlanta people had "bull-dozed"
the commission into granting the re-
duction in rates.
business Meeting Suggested.
The Savannah Candy Company will
be seriously affected by the reduction
In rates on confectionery by which
Atlanta is given a big advantage in
territory in which the Savannah COM
pany has been able to do a good bus
mess.
There ought to be meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce, the Board of
Trade, the Savannah Cotton Ex-
change and the City Council to joint
ly send a committee to protest against |
the reduction in favor of Atlanta"
said Col. w. l.. Grayson, one of the
proprietors of the Savannah Candy
Company and a member of City Coun- |
Gil yesterday. The reduction will
limit our territory very much. After
the rate goes into effect we will not |
probably be able to sell a pound OF
candy in that territory where hereto |
fore we have had a large and grow
ing trade.
Il believe that if Savannahs side of
the case were presented squarely to
the Railroad Commission il would see
what an injury It is doing this city If |
1t had been properly informed by our
people ! do not believe the commits |
sion would have given any such IA
vors TO Atlanta. 1t would have seen |
that what was a benefit to Atlanta was
an injury to other parts of the state. |
and being broad minded people II
seems to me they would hardly have
slapped the rest of the state in the |
face in any such way.
Doesn't Blame AtIantinns.
mot only will our candy business
be injured but the commission trade
OF Collins, Grayson g. Co.. will be also
affected. We have been able TO COM
pete with Atlanta heretofore but aft
er the reduction is in effect we will
be knocked out I'm the territory given
ever TO Atlanta.
IF 1 lived i'm Atlanta. would no
doubt act just as they have acted
and grab everything in sight and cry
for more. As I live I'm Savannah l |
am naturally objecting 10 this over
riding of our rights even though our
sister city does raise a lusty cry over
her natural disadvantages.
Within a few months the Savannah |
Humber Company will start the lar |
gest factory in the South for the man
ufacture OF SASH doors blinds and
frames, and its products have been
placed on the Atlanta preferential list |
VIII Hurt New Enterprises.
In speaking Of the situation. Mr..
Lawrence Mcneil, president OF the
lumber company said yesterday:
We are everlastingly opposed 10
anything hat is against Savannah's
interests and this reduction TO my
mind Is certainly In that category. II |
will hurt our manufacturing business