The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-11-19
TO IMPROVE The JAMES.
Tia Council Committee and Invited Guests
Go TO Dutch Gap.
srVgyg TO MAKE Tbs ROUTE SHORTER
$3.50, Frank q. Iunin Explains How tx
Can Re Done Colonel W. T. '"''n""
t1eeted Engineer ofthe Harbor'

.....tost Company. 10 command of Captain
o~,, Cunningham. ready TO take the com
.... and a few invited guests down th'
,,t.rch tho or was somewhat raw th'
....,sr was fine and quite a large party as
Md On board Of the TUG TO combine
..,r.s. meeting and tour Of inspection with
..,.sn. trip down the James TO TIE vc'h
49, Dutch Gap. The members OF the com
..e who responded 20 the call We're
,..-rau L. d. Crenshaw. IT,. ana nitssi'.
rr g. Hughes. =. ii. iawes. Inol"ss
-...r Isaac Tower. William -, =
r and Captain George W. Allen. bei
..tlose were present the following lAFtte"
,. Harbormaster Captain John \. CUI-
B.. nv Engineer Colonel William J.. ~
SHAW colonel John b. Purcell ana MI. -
Il. Iravcrs. from tie Chamber oi C.iN,,..o go
e.r.r7 Auditor. Colonel trauA IT,. huilih'
.f.,t n l. Cq,nuben of tho common
.I Captam ll0mas Cunningham su-
-fsr,1arf of f.oiafucs rlVcr improvement,
.rf Cautain Thomas G.. tunnin
Soon aftor tie start was made an elegant
Inrer was served iu tbo cabin OF me vessel,
r,tain Thomas Cunningham and Mr.. J.. ID.
leushaw j.. cong lue HouolS a. i- .''
Ihe t-i, was made without stopping 10 q point
l.,,t $50 miles above Dutch Gap. when
.o,,.sro known as Devil Reach was passed
afrr baIteda while. and Colonel kuttin
..s.-retol tic spot where he thoughta canal
.rt le cut across Corndale 90 Dutch
ln to improve the channel and 10
ta,e the navigation near Dutch Gap.
.rei l.uan stated that this canal would
Love t0 ue dug mile long o. reach the
."--.tUrtch Gap. At present the shipping
II Greatly embarrassed 80 that point by the
rl.l bend ia the river IN that locality
rIr. rects,itates large vessels % come TO
... i.f9ro they can make the necessary turn
Oar- t0 the narrow clanuei az that point II
..rp.ssiule for two vessels % pass each other
tMth zap and on account Of tie natural
m.eiuents there is great danger OF col
..., q. tlat point
twas demonstrated by Colonel Rufin that
Hed.-eiag az the canal W ich would IN part
traverse marshes. would 0e OF great value TO
fes.uuug interests NJ this harb0r. and at
.esame time shorten the water route.
After THIS explanation the excursions en-
iaal % their return trip. and tie committee
Vee.a cd together by Chairman Crenshaw
nIl.i very important meeting.
The resolution recently adopted by the City
Council was read. which appropriated the
SD o. $1,000 O. be expended by the commit
ts.to. tie improving If the harbor under the
supervision II the City Engineer.
lie Chair explained that IN accordance
VIII tie meaning the resolution Colonel Cut
Show was t0 occupy q similar position 70 this
nmrtee as he did 20 the Committees on
Streets and 90 Grounds and Buildings.
Or.o1e. Cutslaw when asked 90 express
hsveus. stated that be thought the City
Engineer should have charge of the work 10
ieclrrlel 90 10 improving the James river
under the supervision Of the committee.
SIN "a tie city has been cut loose from the
Ie.ta. Government I'm regard 20 this work
ff.n HlIif ltyffI l.rrfo
Otcsr he WAS Of the opinion that the char
tftu.y covered the action about 20 be taken
~ lie committee. FOR 10 provided that the
tty Engineer should supervise all
improvements carried into eject by the
ciy government lie deemed it advisable
sd tie interest Of the city that the Com
l.ree .l James River improvement pass q /
e uron providing that the City Engineer
t.old a.so ue their engineer, so that he
Ig.t carry 0ut whatever work the commit
g. ugnt decide on. He added that while /
Dr. would he compelled 70 study the subject
t0rlgh.s 20 be enabled O. act to the best /
advantage Of the city aud the general ship /
Tle interests the work should DO taken up /
a. .loe AND The expenditure of the apprOprla- |
ton " $4,000 should be made in accordance |
WIN me wishes and directions of the COM |
rtae
Captain Allen recommended that the work |
ts 90 once taken up where 10 had been left off /
f.Ie when The former appropriation gave I
ct
l.e Chair stated that Captain William II. /
.-t. was absent on account of sickness and [
lat ST. ldgar III. FERGUSON had been pre-
Vented from being present by sickness IN his
tA.r but that both gentlemen were IN full
81 With the rest of the committee.
lr Tower moved that ColOne. Cutshaw be
rale the executive officer OF the committee.
l-e notion was carried without any discus
EN-.
Captain Allen. who has always taken deep
interest n tie improvement made TO the
e-alle moved that the Engineer have the
I'd taken lp az the point where IL was left
OFT anal That DE be authorized 70 make any
-..t which his Judgment might COM
..--, SUBJECT io tile approval OF the COM
ite Carried
superintendent Cunningham presented his
report tor The month of October wherein he
e. ends the continuation OF the work in
''-'I4 i' me deepening and widening Of the
.tlle. ln ile harbor. The report also stated
..s. 20 present one tug. one dredge and sew
'-. ALlefs are employee In the work The
itl % was received and filed
i-e Char stated that Mes rs. Crump a
"s'. lal declined o. take the contract for
u. furnishing of coal under the conditions
-'--ri nF the committee.
.i motion Of Mr. lower it was decided
'-.' i.I Tie present coal should be purchased !
same manner as before until new pro
b PAS .t9 been advertised for.
'''.A u.lls were ordered 20 be paid. and /
a.. -toA iOr the month of October WAS
-e tufhn was then called upon 10
'.- l-e manner pa Which he thought that
-- should be dug across COndale lie
-'-fi ihht % some extent ne had been
'.elial p the calling Of the meeting.
Vas anxious that the members OF the
.sse as we'll Is Colonel Cutshaw should
ne io ahty and famiiarize themselves
i-e details OF the scheme He added
,.. '7'eial experts had pronounced tue plan
b. -5 feasible but extremely advantageous
, '.s LausauOn. II the canal was 10 be
,.. '.he. comparatively little digging
rt. necessary. lnasmuch as good deal
WORK could Ue done by dredging IN the
"lich would have t. be crossed. lie
'.. mat ~ would be advisable TO inilu-
Sd. gre representatives of the city in the
49, -'slatlle - assist IN the passing Of
...' "-.cl tue state could transfer sufii-
..t '"flcis, VINO are now idle IN the PEN
"a ''. ,o DO the work This convict labor
ID 10 way interfere with honest labor.
.... As laws admitted the transfer OF con-
.'t iLe penal institution % the different
...' iu tie STATE o. be employed in the :
ING and repairing OF roads. where {
.4 'ie leg al the expense Of the State, :
s.. 10 "oulQ. therefore. not be- difficult 70
az. proper legislation % have the canal
.v -.ttu uy convict labor. The only out :
Z ~ money that might be necessary would
., '-e construction q houses where the
.,1 quo DO sheltered while working at |
i...r.f g..., :