Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-29
ANINvESTM ENTYEAR
WHAT IT PROMISES TO BRING FORTH
FOR NEWPORT NEWS.
A Plain Proposition-A Golden Era just
Ahead--A Few Points for Small
CapitaIists.

NEWPORT News, May 2s.--The great Con-
vention Of Railway Surgeons at Old Point
has gathered and dispersed. and such OF
them as visited Newport Newsstand they
were not few-will have goodly report
20 make Of the place and its prospects.
This gathering emphasized fhe fact that
Newport News was one of the bcst-known
places in the country. yet 1t also empDa-
sized the fact that no matter how mucn
one may have heard of it. he does not CON-
prehend tho marvellous growth OF the
place. He does not take in its future pos
sbilities until he sees 1t. Even then ~ ~
difficult TO make one understand tnat
Newport News is only little over a de-
cadc old. The substantial character or
the buildings. the solidity OF the people,
their thorough-going. steady or are IN
striking contrast with the concltlohs vi
new town.
AN INVESTMENT YEAR.
1t il on old saying that presidential
year always proves a comparatively duii
year in speculation and ventures, but 1t
always proves an investment year. IL Is
law that capitalists withdraw their money
from lines subject to fiuctuation and put
il into solid Investments. Why, l do not
pretend 10 argue. Already there is evil
dence that Newport News IS TO reap her
full share of the benefit of this investment
logic. There was never time when
northern capital was looking more care
fully over this field, and there never was
time when influx of capital to the Guy
promised to be more active. All VINO
come here concede the sonndness or tue
basis of investment. There is no place IN
the country where the past has so clearly
demonstrated the absolute safety or put
ting money INTO realty as at Newport News.
In the nature of things, property cannot
decrease III value heIe. From the neces-
sties of the situation it must advance.
Building must go on to supply vital de-
mand even If no new enterprise shOulu DE
started here in the next ten years. and
each new building enhances the value OF
its environments.
1T CASgoT BECOME oyERGIowN.
If one will eliminate the distant fu-
ture from the situation entirely, and con-
cede what is not within the range o. posi-
bility--that the industrial development OF
Newport News wall not have any accession
for two years-it will be patent that III tnat
time Newport News cannot become oyer
grown. When that is said 1t Is so plain
that he who runs may read that values
cannot decline but must continue 10 nave
an upward tendency. The improvements
now III progress, the contracts az the snip
yards already entered into, and tho de-
mand they are making for new population
are a guarantee that even If building pro-
crosses with triple the rapidly OF the pres
ent II Will not in the time specified eaten
I'D with the exigencies of the situation.
THE PROPOSITION.
This is the proposition that is present
inc itself to capitalists who are inclined
10 lock up their money IN conservative IN
vestments during the presidential year,
and II is very evident they have grasped 1t
in its length and breadth The next Few
months promise to be the golden era OF
real-estate transactions here-not an era
of exciting speculation IN corner lots on
the margin principle, but OF the sohd
plaDking down OF cash IN eligible lots ana
in buildings.
There are certain extensions of Newport
News that are as bound to be built up as
that the people must have water 10 drink
and clothes TO wear, and the man who buys
In these extensions, IL he cannot anord 20
build himself. has simply to SIT on the
fence and wait, because some one else VIII
come along who can build and Will make
bid for his lot. There are no " lis " ABOUT
the matter, and the small man need not
fear the capitalist if he already holds or
invests in time. Every improvement the
capitalist makes around HIM Is so MUCH
per cent. of increase for INN.
Mark the prediction. The presidential
wear ls going to be great year for oil VINO
are now interested or in the immediate III
ture may become interested III Newport
News. This is going TO be the focal point
for the concentration of vast deal OF idle
capital. Capital is cautious III times OF po-
litical excitement. but l: never throws
away a good opportunity. That is propo-
sition no one doubts or disputes.