The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-03
WHERE THE COAL GOES.
SHIPS MAKE CARGO sPACEBY COAL
ING NEWPORT NEWS.
The Custom House Reports show That mo
New Virginia Port IL Running Away
Ahead of Her Compe titors.

NEWPORT NEWS, June 2.-The Ches-
apeake and Ohio officials report de-
cided Improvement in the coal strike
situation In West Virginia. a number
OF the mines have been started up in
small way without interference and
rapid return to normal conditions Is
looked for
In the last few days the number OF
cars have increased from fifty to two
hundred a day, and ii is reasonably hop
ed that the traffic will be In full swing
by the middle OF the month.
The Chesapeake and Onio is in a bet
ter position than ever TO move coal from
the mines TO the seaboard. The lull in
the traffic has given needed oppOItuh-
ity to get rolling stock in position and In
repair. and the facilities are continually
being increased.
The largest capacity heretofore tested
was 1900 tons, but an authority OF the
road said yesterday that IL pushed they
could handle 1900 tons per day in the
future.
Through the worst of the coal famine
the Chesapeake and Ohio has regularly
supplied the vessels which periodically
call here en- route TO Europe to I'LL their
Vessels from South American parts
from Galveston, New Orleans, Pensacola,
Savannah, and other South Atlantic and
Gulf ports call at Newport News for
fresh supply Of coal each trip, making
this a much-freqUented port and practi-
cally giving IL the advantage Of having
a number of freight lines direct 10 Eu-
rope as they can take part cargo here
as well as coal.
This is Of course, a tremendous advan-
tage TO a city whose export trade Is
constantly growing, but IL IL a reciprocal
matter and Of still greater advantage to
the vessels trading to southern ports,
as they have found that they can get
cheaper and better coal at Newport News
than at the embarking points, and In
taking on fresh supply Of fuel after
they are one-third OF the way on their
voyage admits OF using the space for
storing cargo, that otherwise would be
taken up at the start for bunkers Of
coal.
WIRE MONEY Is MADE.
This is n consideration that counts for
a great deal in profits, and under such
conditions, as long as the South con-
tinues to develop and send out ships,
Newport News must feel the impulse
from this direction.
The facilities for loading vessels are
so perfect that the largest steamers take
coal supply in a day, and thout ever
having put out the fires under Ter boilers
she proceeds promptly on her way
No doubt the thinking mariner takes
Newport News as a special dispensation
Tor his convenience and wonders why a
great city wEs not founded there a hun
urtu years ago.
The fact. however that natural ten
denotes have been so long delayed by ar
tihcial detection 10 other points, will
make the growth the more rapid and
steady that 4 strong tide is now setting
this way.
Figures Just compiled from the United
States Custom House reports show that
the export trade Of this city for the past
month is more than an hundred per cent.
increase over the corresponding month
Of last year.
Philadelphia. oGn of the most important
export centres or the Atlantic side fell
off the same period about thirty per
cent. and per contra for the Pacific: san
Francisco lost over 50 per cent. while
none Of the ports approxmated the won
derful growth at Newport News.
This is a remarkable showing for the
new southern port, which advances at a
time when the very foundations Of busi-
ness are being shaken.
These figures further demonstrate that
for the past nine months the percentage
Of Increase over last year Is about 10
per cent, showing that the trade of New
port News has steadily advanced dur
ing period that was the very centre Of
a financial cyclone.
Our own people scarcely realize what
these facts portray. They are indica-
tive beacons. however, TO the far-seeing
eye and investors are pondering over
them.