Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-13
ANXIOUS FOR WORK.
A CROWD OF 5000 APPLY At THE
NEWPORT NEWS SHIP-YARD.
Reinforced by Hundreds from Philadelphia
Norfolk, and the Surrounding Country.
Three Applicants for Each Place.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. February H.
Special -Despite the fact that bowling
northeast wird, which brought with 1t
q cold rain. made winter music for the
people Of Newport News this morning.
nearly 1900 men were up bright ana
early and on their way to the ship-yard.
Such crowd as that which thronged the
sidewalk in front of the Office has not
been seen here for many months. Every
minute made II larger, and every man OF
the work-hunting multitude was hoping
and praying that he might get into the
yard first The great crowd, which was
made up OF all classes and conditions OF
humanity, except those who find 1t TN
necessary to labor for their living, faced
the cold northeastern with patience
that showed how anxious they were Tor
work. They were not forced to wait
long, however. for Superintendent Smith
sent word to them that operations In the
yard had been delayed until tomorrow
by the non-arriyal of the New York,
which should have been here this morn
ing. Failure to discharge her cargo in
time to leave New York yesterday was
the cause OF her hardness.
OTHERS POURING IN.
The O'Clock train from Old Point
brought go Philadelphia mechanics this
morning. All OF them had been engaged
beforehand. Along with them came many
men who simply hoped TO obtain en-
ployment The Chesapeake and Ohio and
the electricians brought several hundred
yesterday morr ing. and in the afternoon
the steamer Louise landed about 100
more. Scores of negroes from the coun-
try and the surrounding towns have poured
into the city since Saturday. There are
perhaps three applicants for every labor
er's position iri the yard. In addition to
the hundreds of work-hunters who are
here II Is reported that there are a num-
Der Of able-bodied crooks.
HAPPY HOUSEKEEPERS.
The numerous boarding housekeepers in
the city are happier than they have been fol-
long time. Nearly all of the houses are
full and several new ones have been
opened since the beginning of last week.
The real estate men are also wearing
smiling faces, and transactions In town
lots are beginning to be talked about
Landlords, too, forgetting that the revival
now in progress Is likely TO last but about
six weeks. are strongly inclined to ad-
vance rates a notch or two. High rents
have been the greatest drawback the town
has ever ndu 10 COilltOu WIN. llFlnR
the duh season they dropped down to fig
ures within range of the bounds OF rea-
son In some parts OF the city, while IN
other sections they were kept up. During
1892 many men employed at the ship-yard
maintained their families in Philadelphia
and other cities because 1t was cheaper fol-
them to do so than to pay the exorbitan'
rents demanded here. This caused thou
sands OF dollars to be sent away every
month. The same thing will occur again
IL rents are put up.
IN DOCK TO-DAY.
The New York will reach here tonight
and go into dry-dock tomorrow morning
Then Superintendent Smiths big force viii
show what kind Of work they can do HI
Is under contract to have the ship ready
for sea in fourteen days. She will be-
scraped and painted; new fiues will be pu
in her boilers, and extensive repairs made
to her machinery. When the New York
leaves the dock she will look like new
ship, and in many respects she will no
belle her looks. Then the Paris will come
and he work ed on fourteen DAYS