Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-02-19
JAMES RIVER.
VIRGINIA BEFORE THE RIVER AND
HARBoR COMMITTEE.
A Fieid-Day for the ststc-Coionei no''"'
FIR. Gay, and Colonel Lamb
Speak.
From Our Regular Correspondent

WASHINGTON. February 1s.-The. House
Committee on Rivers and Herbors had az,
important meeting to-day, and when calleu
70 order there were two delegations on
hand from Virginia asking 10 be hearu.
One came from Richmond and was COM
posed of Colonel Frank q. Rufhn, MessIs-
Thomas Christian. Ware u. Gay, ana H.
NJ; Smith, Jr;, and the other vas rom Soo-
folk. headed by Colonel lamb, repre-
senting the Chamber of Commerce OF
that city, and Messrs. X. A. Do
bic and X A. Grlce,. members ~, OF
the Harbor Committee of Norfolk Inc
Virginians we're to have had the hrst
chance TO present arguments, but some
how Pennsylvania and Maine people got IN
ahead, but at 3 o'clock Colonel kuinn got
the floor. He exhibited a map OF James
river TO the members Of the committees anu
explained the conditions of the. ryer. lie
said that the desire of tho people interest
ed in the Improvement Of the river was 10
obtain a depth Of % feet OF water at
mean low tide, equal 70 Is feet at
high tide. He expressed himself az
being in favor of the jetty ,sys-
TEN Of Improvement rs originated by
CAPTAIN Eads in aid OF the dredging. sys-
TEN. and said that it would require about
90, 900 10 carry out the improvements
contemplated. He stated that the rlyer
now had an average depth OF water % lo1s
feet. The first improvement TOT James
river was commenced in July, 1870, and
since then 81. 152, 900 have been appropri-
ated. less than what has been voted the
Kanawha river while Baltimore haroor
has had not less than 5000, 600, giving
that harbor a depth of % feet. Inc
last appropriation for rivers and
harbors failed, and the Richmond
people would now like to get $780,
900, the amount recommended by ColOnei
Cralghill. Colonel Rufiin also reminded
the committee that Colonel Craighlll did
not overestimate, as some engineers are SAID
to do. In answer to an inquiry from AIR.
Blanchard, Colonel Ruffn said that the
population Of Richmond was about 100 900,
and he thought the CITY had doubled IN
population since the war. Then IN answer
TO further inquiries Colonel Ruilin spoke OF
the class of vessels which go to Richmond;
and Of the water-pOwer and the general
commerce. His remarks were very inte-
resting, and the members Of the committee
seemed to be keen to hear all that he had
to say.
MR. GAY.
He then asked Mr.. GAY to acquaint the
committee with the shipping business. and
more especially the coal business; and that
gentleman did so in highly credltable
manner. He said that the possibilities OF
Richmond were very great II the proper
water transportation could be secured,
and that iron ore, coal, and other products
could be shipped out to advantage.
Mr.. Blanchard, after listening TO
Mr.. GAYS information regarding the
coal and iron resources of the ter
ritory contiguous, remarked that VT,
qinia had a second Birmingham, and
Mr.. Gay, who went to Virginia from Bos-
ton, replied that he went 10 Virginia IN
preference TO Birmingham. He explained
that the iron deposits were, however, not
in the immediate vicinity of Richmond
but the ore could be brought that way
with proper transportation facilities: Mr.
Gay doomed Virginia, and declared that
Richmond was place in which there were
greater manufacturing chances than al
most any city in the United States.
COLONEL LAMB.
Colonel Lamb then made "A forciblc argu-
ment in behalf of Norfolk harbor. lie
dwelt on the coal, lumber, and other busi-
ness of Norfolk, and showed that the pig
iron industry. only lately commenced, In
creased Go per cent. last year. Other valu-
able statistics wero given showing
the new enterprises at Norfolk and
in the country tributary TO the
CITY. The grain business, he also
said. was increasing heavily, and at the har-
Dor are $4,000 people. The city was grow
ing. its railroads increasing and extending
and the railway development is building
NJ an immense cotton and coal business
The Norfolk and Carolina road he alluded
to as a great new friend.
The Norfolk delegation want 100000 foi
the inner and the same amount for the
outer harbor at Norfolk.