Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-26
Fair Play for the Ports
And Trade of the South
-ULFILIMENT is near, it seems, for the
II assurances given some time ago that

II assurances given some time ago that
the rate nequities under which the
ports of the South as compared with those
Of the North Atlantic have labored would be
removed Constructions have been issued,
reads notice from the Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration, "for the preparation or tarl1s
which are to provide for line OF export
rates to Brunswick, Charleston, George
town, Gulfport, Jacksonville, Key West, Mo-
bile New Orleans, Pensacola, Savannah ana
Wilmington. These rates will be made to
apply from points in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois,
including cities located on both banks Of the
Mississippi river from Dubuque, Iowa, to st.
Louis, Missouri. inclusive; and from points
in the southern peninsula of Michigan upon
all export traffic; also from points in the
Pittsburg and Buffalo districts and from
Johnstown, Pa, on iron and steel articles.
In all cases the export rates to South Allan
tic and Gulf ports are not to exceed the do
nestle rates to the ports via which traffic
moves"
The value of the relief thus definitely
promised-its value to the commerce and in
dustry both of the South and of the country
at large-can hardly be overgauged. Under
the new tariffs, shippers in the great manu-
featuring district of the Central West
tinations by way of South Atlantic and Gulf
ports, thereby saving distance, time and
money This they have been unable to do
heretofore because the railroads in that ter
ritory, wishing to hold the flow of traffic to
their own lines to the Northeast, esta blished
rates which had the effect of virtually ex-
Guiding Southern lines and consequently
Southern ports from business of this descrip-
ton. The result has been to cram into New
York, whose terminals already were congest-
ed, immense amount of tonnage which
naturally should move by way of Southern
outlets like Wilmington, Charleston, Savan-
nah, Jacksonville and those of the Gulf
The Railroad Administration recognizes
the merit of the plea that these ports are en-
titled to the commerce which by virtue of their
geographic position and general convenience
they would attract if given fair chance.
Hence the order that rate inequalities hither-
to maintained for the very purpose of pre-
venting a natural flow of trade shall be re-
moved. 1t is to be presumed, moreover that
there will be CORES Bonding readiustment
of ocean rates in order that cargoes origi-
mating in the South and bound for Latin
America may move through Southern ports
instead of being forced into the longer and
quite arbitrary route of the North Atlantic.
There is no valid reason why a cargo for the
West Indies or Panama should start from
Georgia factory, go the long rail haul to New
York, and thence be shipped by boat down
the seaboard past Savannah and Brunswick
Such practice is unfair to the largest inter-
ests Of American trade as we'll as to this re-
giOn
Now that fair play is promised Southern
cities should cooperate unreservedly to de-
Velop for their common good the rich oppor-
tunltleS which are to be opened. They
should make it business to turn all the
tonnage possible into these valuable ports
OF theirs, tonnage from their own industries
and from those of the Central West as we'll
They should encourage the South Atlantic
Maritime Corporation which has done so
much, and is going to do still more, in the
interest of Southern export trade; and should
work continually together, with organized
energies, in support of every such enterprise.
Our interior cities are as vitality concerned
in this matter as are the ports themselves.
Their cooperation is needed, and their pros
perity is involved. Only generous concert
of resources and of efforts can win and hold
export business. WharVes and docks and
ships are but links in chain of facilities and
activities which must reach from the coast
to the heart of the inland. There must be
ample bases of production, banking and credit
accommodations and transport service-all of
which the interior communities must do much
to provide. Assuredly it is worth any city's
while to join in this undertaking, for the
future of Southern commerce and industry
depends upon the development of our over,
seas trade with it's determining influence on
manufactures and all manner of productive
enterprise. Other regions of America have
realized the truth Of this and have organized
their interests accordingly. North Atlantic
States have organized, Gulf States have Or
gained, and Pacific Coast States have Or
ganized. The Southeast also must organize,
ports and inland points cooperating, if our
trade opportunities are to be conserved and
upbuilt.
In the fall of the year the thoughts of the
hoo Of no foy i11y