New-York tribune., 1922-06-18
Plans Announced
For New Orleans
Port Development
Methods Worked Out for
More Efficient and Cheap
er Handling of Cotton
and Grain for Export
DIR ct o II y


Special Financial Corrc'rordero,
NEW ORLEANS. La. June l6.-At
a meeting Of the directors Of one OF
the largest banks in New Orleans a
few days ago the directors discussed
the general economic situation OF the
South, each reporting on his own busi-
ness. These men represented the basic
industries Of this seetion-sugar, cot
ton. rice. lumber, machinery, wholesale
and retail; ship repair work, building,
foreign trade.
The general picture was most bright.
Cotton and rice especially arc show
ing a strong activity, compared with
the stagnation Of few months ago.
The same is true Of sugar. but in a
lesser degree. Building is very good
with the emphasis laid on home con-
struetion, though several large build
ings are under way. and others are
contemplated. Indications are that
rents will hold the levels set last year
L ,ase renewals are now being sent out
on this basis
The port development OF New Or
leans is especially in the spotlight.
The recent announcement by the
Ford Motor Company that il had pur-
chased tcn-Rcre site on the river
front here. so that il could concentrate
foreign trade through New Orleans, is
indicative Of this development. Some
years ago the company purchased a
site in the interior Of the city for
erecting an assembling plant. Il sold
this so it could get a river frontage
TIE assembling plant will ultimately
represent an investment OF $4,000. 900
and employ 750 men.
The New Orleans Cotton Exchange
has recently worked out a system
whereby the handling costs on cotton
handled by the public warehouse can
be reduced about 30 per cent For
merly, cotton had 70 be reweighed re-
inspected and lesampled every time il
changed hands. Now this work will
be done once-when the cotton is re-
ccived.
In order 10 encourage the grain ex-
port trade. the dock board has ordered
the construction OF a 1882 900 grain
sacking plant on the grain elevator
wharf This will result in an enor-
nous saving 10 shippers At present
grain that is TO be shipped in bags,
which is the requirement o. most OF
the Latin American trade, is sacked
inside the main elevator. loaded into
cars and switched onto the wharf at a
cost Of Sll car. Under the new sys-
TEN the grain will be carried by the
existing conveyors from the elevator 10
the saeking plant and will emerge
sacked at shipside.
Plans are announced for building
lumber export terminal on the river
front. Lumber will be unloaded direct
from the cars 10 the ship. There will
bc a storage place for lumber. 10 which
the material will be billed direct from
the interior This terminal will elm
mate switching and other charges and
cut the handling costs in half. The
absence OF such facility has been
vcry costly 10 the lumber business Of
this port.
The dock board is considering the eS-
tablishment Of tank terminals 10 han
die one-helf the total imports Of cocoa
nut oil by three OF the largest soap
manufacturers and two OF the largest
vegetable oil companies in the United
States. They are now importing 250,-
100000 pounds Of cocoanut oil at Pa
cihe ports, hauling IL 20 their interior
plants by rail. They have urged the
dock bonid TO provide the facilities be-
cause Of the freight economies that
would result The tanks will cost about
Sl50,000