The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1923-06-22
(By GORDON SAUSSY)

prehensive to include what we mean
by Highways" also 'Gateways," The
writer contends, that State owned
and State operated Assembling,
Grading, Storing and Marketing Ter
minal at deep water on the Coast Of
Georgia, is necessary to complete her
transportation and marketing system
and to insure future economic indie
pendence for her producers.
With modern economical Port facil-
tiles at Savannah, Georgia, the pres
emit transportation facilities that
highly organized tremendous system,
rail and water, already in existence
and now hinged upon the Port of Sa-
vannah-and present day conditions,
would favor heavy movement from
the following areas:
Georgia, the entire State.
South Carolina, one-half Of the State.
Tennessee, one-half Of the State.
Kentucky, one-half Of the State.
Ohio, one-quarter of the State
Indiana, one-helf Of the State.
Illinois, one-half Of the State.
Iowa, one-Quarter of the State.
Arkansas, one-Quarter Of the State.
Mississippi, one-quarter of the State.
Alabama, quarter Of the State.
ENORMOUS CO M Nj DITIE
AVAILABLE! According to an esti
mate based on the census Of 1920, the
value Of farm crops in this area is
Three Billion Two Hundred and
Eighty four Million Dollars. The
above territory and production there.
in are what we mean by the term
Southeast when used in connection
with natural markets open for sur
plus production in the above terrific
ries.
The chief problems of the produc-
ers and shippers of the South and
Middle West are:
First: Transportation between in
terror production points and the Port
Second: Port facilities and costs.
Third: Markets.
Fourth: Ocean Freights.
Our markets beyond home consump
ton lie on this Continent North OF
Virginia, and East of the Appalachian
Mountains, the Antilles, Central and
South America, and the West Coast
Of Europe.
In 1914, it cost eight times moro to
transport by rail than by water. Dur
ing the World War, and Immediately
thereafter, water borne commerce
paid approximately the same rate as
all rail. There has been for the last
three years steadily, decline in the
rates for water-borne commerce, and
water-borne commerce today, is cost
ing easily one-third less than all rail
and there will be a further cheaper
ing Of the cost Of transportation by
water.
CREATED BY NATURE FOR 4
STATE PORT: When Nature bit of
q mouthful of the Southeastern part
Of the United States, and thus made
1t possible for the Port Of Savannah
South Atlantic Coast, naturally lessen
ing the rail haul and increasing the
distance by water, forward-look1ne
Transportation men were quick to see
and take advantage of this physical
condition, hence the Ringing upon
the Port of Savannah of It's present
highly organized transportation sys
tenn These transportation organiza
tons are now prepared, and will con
tinue, to fight for every pound o.
commerce from the above territory
capable Of moving into world mar
kets through the Port Of Savannah.
A modern publicly owned and oper
,ated Terminal at deep water must as
sure producers and shippers OF easy
cheap and sure handling and storage
of perIshables as we'll as non-perish
abIes. The Terminals proposed to b.
established, owned and operated by
the State Of Georgia, as presently out
lined contemplate balanced proper
ton Of each Of the comprehensive
units sufficient for the present, bu
80 designated that additions may bt
added to any or all of the units al
Required, without interruption az t;
what may then be traffic conditions.
This facility for producers must b.
publicly operated and managed, to b.
In accord with the public policy OF th'
National Congress, as expressed il
the Rivers and Harbors Act Of 1919
and in accord with the recommends
tons OF the Engineering Corps Of thu
War Department for "unIess ownet
and operated by the public, and pre-
gressively developed in pursuance o
an intelligent policy based on tn
promotion Of the general growth an
prosperity, It Is probable that the pub
lie interest Will not be properly eerV
ed, and that private methods or ad
vantages Of ore kind or another vii
serve to prevent the Port from achiey
ing it's highest usefulness"
FARMERS MUST HAVE A VOICE
The farmers Of Georgia well knoI
and fully realize the importance 0
State ownership, State operation an
management OF this facility, for til
simple reason, that no other owner
ship, operation or management Wi
give them voice in its affairs, and
hand in operating and managing il