The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-12-28
THREE NEW CRUISERS.
An EFFORT TO HAVE PIRTOF con-
TRACT AWARDED NEWPORTNEWs.
Action Taken by the Board of Directors OF
the Richmond Chamber Of Commerce.
To Write to the Secretary.


A called meeting Of the board OF dircc-
tors OF the Richmond Chamber Of Com
merce was held yesterday evening ut 6
o'clock. Present-George l.. Christian,
president; S. w. Travers, second vice
president; L. H.. Bissell. Lewis d. Cre1-
shaw. Jr., r. II. ~. Harrison. II. 7. Sta
Iles. Everett Waddey, c. ID. Wingfeld, +.
VI. White. Jr.. J. II. Witty and II. W..
Wood, directors. There were also present
Colonel a. S. Buford. a member Of the
Chamber. and Colonel Carter NJ. Braxton,
Of Newport News.
The president explained that the object
OF the meeting was 10 consider a sugSes-
ton that Colonel Braxton desired TO sub
NIT to the Richmond CahmDer Of Com
merce, and ttdt q paper embOdying this
suggestion had been prepared. which he
would request Mr.. r.. II. NJ. Harrison 10
submit 10 the board.
Mr.. Harrison then requested the secre-
tary TO read this paper. which rented
briefly that contracts would be shortly
awarded for building thre. new cruisers
for the United States Navy, and the pro-
priety and expediency Of the Government
awarding the contract for constructing
one Of these cruisers TO the ship-yards at
Newport News. II also sets forth the full
advantages Of this plant for constructing
such vessels.
After the reading OF the paper Colonel
BufOrd and Colonel Braxton were invited
TO address the meeting for the purpose Of
thOWing additional light upon the ques-
ton.
Colonel Buford. responding briefly TO
this invitation. said that he was advise
that the Government was about 10 award
large contracts amounting to about nine
million dollars. and that the Cramp works
already having large contracts Of this
character. were formidable competitors
for all OF this work; but that he under
stood that it was the wise policy OF the
Government TO make some distribution
where il was practicable 10 do so
I'm building their vessels Of war; that I'm
one case the Government had awarded
the contract 10 a ship-yard OF the Pacific
Coast at Il price a little above what the
same work could have been done for It an
Eastern ship-yard, considering il expe-
dent to develop the facilities for this
character Of ship-building On the Pacific
Coast; that the competency OF the New
port News %ship-ylrd being well voucaed
for and being understood by the Govern
ilflll, IL SitlAtl tilllitltAlg DlOBti AOi AiN
Secretary Of the Navy i'm the exercise CT a
wise discretion in these matters, 10 ware
the contract FOR one OF these cruisers "a
the Newport News establishment; that
such Il decision Of the question would
rebound greatly to the benefit Of both the
States Of Virginia and North Carolina
whose lumber and labor interests would
be promoted thereby.
Colonel BraXton. following Colonel Blu
ford. said that personally ne had no imme-
date interest in a contract being awarded
to the Newport News ship-yard, but Us &
citizen OF Virginia he felt a great in
terest in the subject; that during rext
year many foreigners would visit this
country, and especially Hampton Roads
and hat the impression would be baC
with such a plant located at Newport
News to see all OF the Government ship:
being built elsewhere. He further eX-
planned that the yard at Newport News
was the largest in the country that Il haC
every advantage Of doing work of this
character, but that the Cramp works
having had greater experience in fgur.
ing for such contracts. It was desirable
that the interest Of Richmond should b'
enlisted, and he therefore thought that
letter addressed 10 the honorable Score
tary Of the Navy from the Richmond
Chamber Of Commerce would be desirable
az an influence in behalf Of the claims OF
Newport News.
Some slight alterations having beer
made i'm the paper submitted by Mr.. Har.
risOn, II was unanimously adopted IS q
basis for a letter 10 be Immediately ad.
dressed 10 the Secretary Of the Navy.
There being no further business before
the board. the meeting adjourned