Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-13
DIVERT EXPORT TRADE
To SOUTHEAST PORTS
FROM EASTERN Owes
Conference on Plan Suggested
by President Allen, of Cham
Der of Commerce, Will Be
Held Here Shortly

Representatives of shipping, railroad
and industrial interests in the southeast
will gather in Atlanta within the next
feH1 days for a conference on plans de-
vised by President Ivan e. Allen, of the
Atlanta chamber of commerce, to divert
portion of the export trade passing
Through eastern ports to southeast and
southern ports as a means of relieving
the freight congestion in the east and
adding to the volume of business in the
south.
The conference was decided upon at a
meeting of the board of directors of the
Atlanta chamber Thursday morning, at
which time Mr.. Allen announced that
prominent men in the three lines men
toned had gladly offered their co-opera-
ton and were ready to attend such a
conference.
At present a large number Of the ships
carrying cargoes for Europe are loaded
in the east. Thus for some months past
the facilities of the railroads and ship
ping terminals there have been over
taxed. A serious congestion of traffic
has resulted, and, while causing consid-
cradle inconvenience in the east, is work
ing hardship in the south. This comes
through a shortage of freight cars in
this section, these freight cars being
badly needed for the transportation Of
the products of the south. The east has
a large excess of transportation equip
ment, large portion of which is tied
up on account Of the congestion. y
| Mr.. Aliens plan called for closer CO.
operation between officials of the allies
| handling transportation problems and
American \oe1e> engaged in the same
| task in sending mN6Ne business through
the southeastern and southern ports.
Among those who have signified their
intention Of attending the conference
are John a Merritt and James f. Phil
lips, Of Pensacola, Fla; Walter Parker,
Of the New Orleans Association of
Commerce; George G. Crwaford, Of the
Tennessee Coal. Iron and Railroad COM
pany, Birmingham; George F. Arm
strong, of the Strachan Shipping conn
pany, Savannah; Bruce Kennedy, of
Montgomery; r. G. Rhett, president Of
the Peoples Bank of Charleston. and F.
d. Aiken, president of the Brunswick
Bank and Trust company, Brunswick.
The Atlanta chamber is against dis
elimination in favor of any Of the
southern or southeastern ports and is
working in the interest of the entire
section. It was poitned out that If
the shipping Of supplies for the armies
in Europe can DO sent through these
ports 1t will encourage the coming of
other Industries and instead Of increas-
war only 1t will have a permanent eff
| feet.
The tying poi southern owned
| freight cars in the east, It is believed
can be relieved if the plan Is carried
through. In tn the east at present the
port facilities are sufficient to handle
| the traffic but the railroads are not.
In the south. according to Mr.. Allen,
the situation is entirely different. The
port facilities have never been taxed to
| their greatest capacity and the rail-
roads. unlike those in the east. are able
to handle the business quickly. And
again from points in the south and west
the railroad haul to the southern ports
! is shorter and can be accomplished
quicker than to the east while from
shipping points north of the Ohio river
there is little difference.
Mr.. Allen has placed the qeustion be.
| foer a large number Of prominent busi-
ness men and in each case has found
them ready to cooperate in every man.
ner possible.