The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1919-08-28
BOAT LINE WOUL PAY PROFIT
Says Service to Georgetown IS Now
Feasible-Will Lower Rates

J. 7. Slater, secretary of the. Col
umbia Chamber of Commerce, is of
the opinion that now is the psyche
logical moment to make arrange
mentS for a boat line from Columbia
to Georgetown. The United States
railroad administration has recently
issued instructions for the prepara-
ton of tariffs which areto provide
for q line of export rates to Char
lesion and Georgetown, among other
coast cities, and Mr.. Slater said that
this action on the part Of the rail-
road administration means much to
lie State. These ports will now be
/ abe to compete on a fair basis with
the port Of New York and other
eastern ports which heretofore have
had ! decided advantage in rail
freight rates from the West. Secre-
tary Slater in discussing the boat
line said:
Now is the time to think of start
ing up boat line from Columbia to
Georgetown. To move the big crops
which are now maturing will strain
the present car equipment and will
likely cause a car shortage. A boat
service would greatly relieve this
car shortage so far as Columbia is
concerned and would give Columbia
an advantage that other inland cit
les do not enjoy.
81 am firmly of the opinion that
if the boat line is organized, it will
get the business. The old difficulty
about terminals at Columbia will not
bob up again as it has been settled
and the only thing needed now Is
the boat line.
"The line would reduce very ma
terially the freight rates from the
east, and such reduction in freight
rates would of course be reflected in
the price consumers have to pay for
articles of various kinds"
In further discussing the grant
ing of equal freight rates from
western points and the establish
ment of steamship lines to South
American ports, Secretary Slater
said that such lines will give the
State the benefit of a port from
which anything raised may be eX-
ported. He believes that it will re-
suit in reestablishing to a large ex-
tent the coastwise trade between
Georgetown and Charleston and
eastern cities, and that it will give
Columbia all water rates to and
from these points. All water freight
rates, or. part water and part rail
rates are lower than all rail rates,
Mr.. Slater pointed out, and he said
that the fact that the export rates
will apply from Georgetown will no
doubt attract ships engaging in for
eign trade to Georgetown, and that
the interior will be benefited anc
trade viii! be generally stimulated.
The instructions issued by the
railroad administration means that
shippers located in the great indus
trial and agricultural Middle West
can ship to South American ports,
through South Atlantic ports, as
cheaply as it can ship through New
York.
Matthew Hale, president Of the
South Atlantic Maritime Corpora
ton, is quoted as saying, 1--WE have
many natural advantages over New
York and there is no reason if we
keep on working harmoniously to-
pether for our common ends why
we should not divert to Wilmington,
Charleston, Savannah. Brunswick
and Jacksonville on immense vol
ume of exports and imports.
'The Middle West has assured Us
through the Chicago Association of
Commerce and the Chamber Of Com
merce in other cities that they are
eager to get more gateway out to
South and Latin-America. They are
tired of having their goods periodi-
cally caught in the jam at New York.
They are tired Of New York! With a
fair chance of their business, made
possible by the forthcoming reduc-