The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1908-07-11
Want An Open Market For
Naval Stores, the Same
as Savannah.
CLAIM THAT THE NAVAL STORES
MARKET IS MANIPULATED BY
SAVANNAH BUYERS, THE MAR
kETS BEING MADE AT THAT
PLACE.

The naval stores operators and COM
mission men of Jacksonville have IN
augurated a fight for Florida against
Savannah and the buyers Of that place
and they propose to push 1t TO a m
ish The claims are that the price
is made in Savannah, and is therefore
manipulated at will by the big buyers
For instance all naval stores is bought
at Savannah prices, except that sp1r-
its bring half a cent a gallon less at
other places than is paid in Savan-
nah, thus causing shipments to 90
there whenever possible.
The Jacksonville Metropolis gives
the following account of the fight now
being waged:
Never in the city's history was the
Jacksonville spirit made more man.
ifest than at the meeting of the Board
of Trade yesterday afternoon when
with enthusiasm and determination,
progressive citizens met to give en-
eouragenlent to the movement to pro-
tect the naval stores industry of the
state through an organization of
strong company to distribute this
great product through Florida, ports.
The battle cry was sounded by Pres
ident w. A Bours, president OF the
board, and it was Florida ports for
Florida products"
The board of governors submitted a
lengthy report on the proposition
which appears later in this article
These resolutions called forth ad-
dresses which were of intense inter
est. Duncan U. Fletcher, recently
chosen as a United States senator,
taking the lead. Mr.. Fletcher, always
impressive, made stirring appeal and
his remarks were often applauded.
F. P. ConrOy gave hearty indOrse-
ment to the project as did also Mayor
w H Sebring, both gentlemen add
ing to the enthusiasm of the meeting.
r. V. Covington made a forceful ar
gument in behalf of distributing ma
val stores company and showed his
familiarity with the business.
Much enthusiasm was aroused by J.
Nj. Bars, who declared that Florida
intended to stand by its rights and he
gave assurance that the railroad COM
mission would see that no discrimina-
ton was practiced in favor of Savan-
nah and other ports.
Shipments UnnaturalIy Diverted.
The control of the naval stores mar
kets having passed beyond the effect
of the law of supply and demand, the
result is clearly shown in the move
ment of this product TO coastwise and
foreign ports. Instead of shipments
being made to Fernandina. Jackson
vile and the Gulf ports nearest the
sources of supply, about 20 per cent
of the product is being arbitrarily and
unnaturaIly diverted elsewhere. The
effect of this discrimination against
Jacksonville and other cities to which
the business belongs is becoming in
creaSingly manifest. 1t will not be
oF To
vile and other Gulf ports TO attain its
normal proportions unless naval
stores can be obtained to form a part
of mixed cargoes with lumber, cotton
and phosphate.
The progress and prosperity of Jack
sonville and the Gulf ports is being
threatened by these artificial condi-
tons. Under normal conditions, the
greater part of the naval stores pro-
ducts in Florida would come to Jack
sonville and be shipped from its
wharves. 1t is plain to every one
what this would mean to the business
of our city.
The discrimination against Jackson
vile and other Florida and Gulf ports
is not only a loss to the business of
these ports, but it is a heavy burden
upon the operator. The increased
SOSI VI u Sl.oSW anu
of handling and shipping the product
there falls upon the man in the woods.
If natural Conditions were permitted
TO exist, the product of Florida would
find its way to the nearest port where
deep water existed and Jacksonville
and the naval stores producers of
Florida would be the gamers.
Some of the Causes.
Among the causes which have con
| tributed to the remarkable growth of
the city of Jacksonville and the state