The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-26


edge outside OF limited few is there who
knows that right here in his own city o.
Richmond is situated the largest and best
equipped engine-works establishment in the
United States?
In this age Of advancement and pro-
gress, when enterprise with rapid and
courageous movement Is striding abroad In
the land; when minerals and machinery
are forcing something new, startling, anC
money-making almost every day upon pub
lie attention, it does seem little strange
that capitalists, men OF means and curiosity
OF research, should not be better posted
concerning an industry OF so much mo
ment. Yet the fact remains that they are
not. 4 number OF reasons present them.
selves to account for this, but they need not
be mentioned now. 1t is needless TO talk Of
the easy-going state Of affairs In our business
world; OF the idea that ii is discourteous
to pry into your neighbor's business; OF
the little it takes TO bring contentment to 0
people blessed with so many happy sur
roundings as our people are; OF the igno-
rant ideas that prevail abroad as to our So
Gial and political surroundings; all OF these
views readily suggest themselves to the
reflective mind, and it is only necessary Ia
revert briefly to them in saying something
about our proud city generally, when al
luding particularly to the Tanner & Della
ney Engine-W WorkS, one OF the many mon
uments OF truth TO the claim made that no
city in this great country presents more
advantage TO him who seeks for wealth and
happiness than does Richmond.
BRIEFLY ABOUT RICHMOND.
This city in one sense Is known to the
world, and yet but little is known OF its
great foundries, machino-shops, general
manufactures, flour. mills, tobaccO-workS,
etc.. that are here quietly running without
much ado, but in many instances sending
their products to all parts OF the world.
Huge dry-goodS iObbing-houSeS are here,
with room for more; immense grocery
houses, with good trade; furniture estab-
lishments, shipping south; agricultural
and fertilizer depot. abound, while large
number OF small industries are thriving.
The various industries employ about 1900
persons. and have an invested capital Of
$4,000, 900. with annual sales amounting
to S40,000,000. The entire business proba-
bly, amounts to over SG0,00O,000 annually.
Only few years ago the tobacco interest
was about the only one. Now the new
ones in connection with the old foot up
over 200. Truly a marked increase; and
with the excellent water-pOwer OF the
James, and the readiness with which Nir-
gina produces coal, iron, and ores Of all
kinds, there is unlimited room for hum
dreds yet.
Richmond had q population Of about
$4,000 in 1880; this has, however, been in
creased since to 1900. Taxes on real
estate are 40 cents on 500; income | per
cent. The fire and police departments are
good ones. The city government is con-
sidered equal to any, but they are slow in
building the City Hall. The streets are
lighted by gas, some 1900 lamps being
used. For domestic purposes and fires the
water-works supply the city with James
river water, but when this is riled the
water Of the Mississippi river is discounted,
and every one knows that is horrible.
There is something wrong about a system
that pumps muddy water into clear.
Richmond has many natural advantages,
and is really the commercial mistress OF
Virginia; situated at the head OF nayiga-
ton, one hundred and twenty-seven miles
from the open ocean, and ninety miles
from Hampton Roads. Vessels drawing
sixteen feet can come to her docks. Her
water.pOwer is very important. From the
Three-mile lock, on the line OF the Rich
mond and Allegheny railroad TO tide-water
there is a fall OF eighty-fOur feet. With
the lowest flow OF the river TO be expected
in long series OF yearS-yiZ., 1000 cubic
feet per secOnd-this fall produces $500
horsepower theoretically, OF which 1900
can be made available by the employment Of
the best turbine wheels. The total amount
OF this theoretical power, now apprO-
priated and put 10 use by various manu-
factories in Richmond and Manchester, is
1900; the remainder, $500 horsepower
theoretically, or AGO actual, can be rea-
div and economically made available.
From Bosher's dam TO tide-water is a fall
OF 1l6 feet, over which the above flow Of
the river would produce 1880 theoretical
horsepower. or 10000 actual. The water
shed OF the James river above Richmond
is about 5000 square miles. The lowest
flow given above is therefore u yield OF
OPS cubic feet per second from each
square mile.
Why, then, cannot capital and labor
thrive here! There is nothing to prevent,
and in proof thereof we cite the success OF
the
TANNER DELANEY ENGINE COMPANY.
II is needless to tell OF their early history.
1t is known here. They had the troubles
incident to all men OF enterprise who strike
out boldly for success, but they met them
brayely and Overcame them. and about fif-
teen months ago determined to make great
er efforts, by erecting larger works and in
Producing al! the modern labor-saving and
improved machinery. They bought twelve
acres Of land just outside OF the corporate
limits, i'm the northeastern section OF the
city, on the line OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
railway, and on the broad angle OF level
ground formed by Shockoe creek and Ba-
cons Quarter branch a more favora-
bic situation could hardly have been
found. One OF these streams, running
in front Of the main building, has been
converted into lake. which is not
only ornamental but forms a reservoir
from which water is taken for the use Of
the works and their protection in case Of
fire. Situated in valley and surrounded
by bills. the plant is a most picturesque
one. On hill, gradually sloplng to a
level, is a tract OF twenty-five acres, owned
by Tanner a. Delaney, on which are to be
built cottages for the occupancy Of en-
ployes OF the company. This site is most
admirably adapted. and when terraced the
effect will be not only pleasing but grand.
The operatives occupying these cottages
will escape city taxes and high rents; will
have homes more comfortable than many
rich men who live in the city, and will be
close to the scene OF their labors-induce-
ments hard to be found anywhere else in
the world.
AHEAD OF ALL.
Tanner & Delaney found 1t necessary
10 enlarge, as the business Of the firm had
increased TO such an extent that their old
quarters on Sixth. Seventh, and Canal
streets did not prove adequate. The firm
was happy in the selection for locating their
new works, and there is nothing to equal