The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1920-08-27
COOPERATION OF SOUTHERN
PORTS.

urgency in their demands. The visit
of Mr.. Morrow to Pensacola is a direct
outcome of the meeting in this city for
the formation of Gulf Ports Assoc
citation, the motive of which was to
have been an active campaign for the
Gulf Ports, such is being waged by the
Five ports" of the Atlantic seaboard.
AS an indication Of the value of the
work Of the Five Ports. nothing has
been more striking than the publicity
which has resulted from the tour OF
the South Atlantic ports business men
through Central Western territory.
last May, under the designation of the
Midwest South Atlantic Trip
The expedition was undertaken in
an effort to focus attention of the
business interests of the Middle West
upon the South Atlantic ports as nat
ural gateways for tonnage destined to
foreign markets, particularly of the
West Indies, South America and the
Orient. Deepening and Strengthening
OF the already existing economic re-
lationship between the two sections
was also a prime reason for the tour
at the time it was launched.
Trip personnel included strong dele
cations from the ports of Wilmington,
Charleston, Savannah, Brunswick aad
Jacksonville, together with represen
tatives of the important interior cities
in the South Atlantic States.
More than $500 miles were travelled
and 16 major cities of the Middle
West were visited during the two
weeks the trip was in progress. Full
day stops were made at most of these
nj In rH0 N 10 70
contact might be established by the
visitors with the business men of the
section toured. The cities were called
upon in the following order after the
train was assembled at Columbia, S.
c.. and short stop made at Spar
tanburg, S. c., where several interior
city representatives were taken
aboard: Cincinnati, Cleveland, Toledo.
Detroit, Chicago, Moline, Rock Island,
Davenport, Des Moines, Kansas City,
ST Louis, indianapolis, Louisville,
Nashville, Chattanooga and Atlanta.
Business delegations representing
Knoxville and Asheville greeted the
train passengers at both those cities
en- route.
The most cordial of reception was
extended in each of these cities by the
business interests, and in every in
stance, feeling of social fellowship
pervaded the conferences. Press COM
ment relative to the mission of the
most favorable type was accorded.
At no previous time have CONNER
cial interests of large section of the
United States Joined together so effec-
lively for the attainment of joint in
crest. Four entire States-Norh Caro-
lima, Souh Carolina, George and Flor
ida-were about equally well repre-
scented in the party of lao men who
composed the delegation.
One of the greatest successes grow
ing out of the project was the oppor-
tunity afforded for the South Atlantic
business executives to become thor
oughly acquainted with each other
during two weeks they were engaged
upon a trip where all interests Were
mutual.
The conferences held at the various
cities visited resulted in an under
standing being established between
the interests OF both sections which
has hitherto been unattained.
Cincinnati was the first of the
Midwest cities to be visited. Cincinnati
has long been a gateway into South
ern territory. 1t is well situated for
an exchange of business with the
South. Every shipment of export
goods from Cincinnati via a Southern
port is an encouragement for the idea
of recipr ocal trade relations.
Cleveland evidenced its friendly
feeling for the trip, and during the
day spent there many conferences
were held which tended to bring out a
closer cooperation between Cleve-
landers and the South Atlantic port
people,
Aversion to New York control Of
shipping matters was shown most de-
cisively in Chhcago.
Toledo and Detroit appeared to take
the project readily. and much encour-
agement was given the matter by all
the cities where stops were made.
Davenport, Moline. Rock Island, Des
Moines, Kansas City and St. Louis, all
of which may be considered Missis-
sippi Valley cities proper, were much
interested. They saw in the fight OF
the South Atlantic ports their own
fight for the development of the Gulf
ports. Led by Chicago, these cities.
together with Milwaukee, st. Paul and
Minneapolis, propose to join with the
Gulf and South Atlantic ports to-
make demands for the maintenance of
the American merchant marine, the
giving of fair rates from the interior
to these ports as compared with the
North Atlantic ports, and for greater
ALLEGATION of ships to the Southern
ports.
The advertising which has ac-
crued to the South Atlantic ports
through this business mems itinerary
can hardly be computed. And the
Gulf ports must make equal claim
upon the attention of the public, if
these ports are to be fully utilized.
That there is danger of discrimina-
ton against the southern ports is evil
dent from the following recent dis
patch under a Washington date line3
"The United States Shipping Board,
by Admiral Benson. chairman, has an
nounced new ship sales policy cover
ing various types of vessels owned by
the government. Until it has@been as
certained exactly what boats are to