The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-05
Many Of the Ciy's Citizens Discuss Norfolk s
Growth and Prophesy Iherefrorn.
"TNE COMING QUEEN PORT OF THE ATLANTIC COAST
Prompt Concerted and Sustained Action the Part Of Bus
mess Men Will Quickly Make Her Metropolis.

That the article in Tuesdays Virgin
ian relative to the immense increase in
Norfolk's export trade has created u
deep interest is evidenced by the fact
that 1t has been the general topic of
discussion I'm business circles during the
past two days. TO say nothing of the
increasing demand for that issue of the
paper Containing the article. In order
to obtain further opinions touching the
subject In question, The Virginian yes
terday continued it's interviews with
the following result.
A NATURAL DEVELOPMENT
Hon. w. r. Mayo, Mayor of the city
and President of the Board of Harbor
commissioners, when seen said that he
had no idea that the export business
of the port had increased In such q tre-
mendous ratio. 1t was a subject for
congratulation, he thought. Norfolk
has been on the alert" said he, and
has never failed 10 seize every opportu-
nifty to secure trade that showed any
disposition whatever to come her way.
She has never been slow when her in
terests have been at stake, and we are
now beginning to see the results of this
activity; large proportion of the eN-
ports have been made up of cotton
This has been built up within the past
year, and really think that next sea
son Will see u great increase even over
this.
"Our neighbors TO the northward are
getting a bit jealous OF us, and they
have good cause to be.
Hampton Roads, and especially Nor
folk harbor proper, Is the natural port
of the United States. / am convinced
that we can ship to any European port
very much more economically than can
any other American city.
Our back country is being developed
at remarkably rapid rate, and this too
W C of
'The Board OF Harbor Commissioners,
of which / am President, has taken up
the matter OF the protection of cotton
none too early. and the order issued by
1t few days since, relative to the cover
ing OF their stacks with spark arresters,
by all vessels loading al our wharves
will do much toward putting us on a
sound footing with the underwriters,
and SO will tend to make 1t advanta-
geousto vessels to come mere for carGoes.
This was the prime object we had In
view when this order was passed.
Active competition between railway
lines tapping n fertile country, and cen
tering u; Norfolk as their deep water
operated in our favor.
"The indications are that the port will
take front rank as n shipping point, and
1 look for this outcome at no distant
date. The Nirginlan's article excited
wide-s spread comment, and will be a
powerful factor in bringing the impor-
tance of the port home to the outside
world"
A SOURCE OF GRADUATION.
."The facts developed in your article
of Thursday should furnish food for
graduation 10 every citizen of the city"
said Judge II. II. Wilcox, president of
the Business Mems Association. The
increase in Norfolk's export trade is
certainly remarkable. and proves what
direct communication With Europe can
do for a port. The Southern railway
deserves a large share of the credit m
asmuch as it is responsible for n great
part of the increase in the cotton eX-
port The business men should, and ]
believe, do, appreciate the Importance
and meaning of the figures you have
published in confirmation Of your arti-
Gle"
VALUABLE SUGGESTIONS.
Mr. Thos. Townsend, president of the
Real Estate Exchange, expressed him
self enthusiastically over The Virgin
ans showing of the business of the
port. He said: "The report of the in
crease of business at this port, as given
by the Vjrginian of Thursday. must be
a source of qualification TO all of the
business men of Norfolk and a credit to
The Virginian. Ii was a remarkable eX-
hibit and will have wonderful effect in
attracting attention to Norfolk" He
said further that that now was the time
for the business associations of Norfolk,
such as the Cotton Exchange. Business
Mems Association. Real Estate and
Stock Exchange, Manufacturers Asso-
citation and other bodies to combine in
a Joint meeting to take action relative
to the needs Of the harbor Improvement.
as set forth in The Virginian and by
Col Lamb and Mayor Mayo, SO that we
may not see or hear any more about
insufficient depth of water. either 10 our
docks or to the naVy-yard. He hoped that
the business organizations would grasp
this opportunity. and show by a united
effort that they appreciate the enormous
increase of exports through our harbor.
as shown by The Nirginian, ana do all
In their power to increase 1t still more
to their own advantage In the future
Norfolk" he said, needed an officia
board to take charge OF the work or
suggesting and pushing harbor improve
ments and keeping it steadily In hand
before Congress. a body of this kind
would have great weight with Con
gress."
A REMARKABLE SHOWING.
MIR. w. w. Vicar, president of the
Chamber of Commerce, was caught in a
very busy moment. but he raised his pen
long enough 10 remark: You can quote
me as saying almost anything compli-
mentary to that article. though have
- = a L. fr1