The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-05
The NORFOLK COMMITTEE
introduced 10 The Committee on Naval A.
fairs by Senator Daniel.
THEY MADE A GOOD IMPRESSION.
The Committee on Merchant Marine Like-
Iy to Report Favorably the Law Abolish
ing Compulsory PiIotsge-Firginia
Bills in the senate.

WASHINGTON, u. c., Feb. 4.-Spe~
ciaI The Joint committee appointed Dy
the Councils OF Norfolk. Portsmouth, aud
Berkley and by the Board OF Super
visors OF Norfolk county, To appear be-
fore the Senate Committee on Naval
Affairs with a view OF securing one OI
the battleships contemplated by the bhl
introduced by Senator Hale for cpn-
struction in the Norfolk nayy-yard. ar
rived in Washington this morning. Mr..
{. 5. Sherwood was chosen chairman Of
the committee, and MIR. Alvah II. Mar
tin secretary. The following gentlemen
were present:
From Norfolk-R. "A. Dobie. president
of the Board OF Harbor Commissioners;
Thomas Townsend, president Of the Real
Estate Exchange. Captain J. W. Nc
Carrick OF the Chamber Of Commerce;
Mr. Il. H. Johnson, Of the Merchants
Exchange, and Mr.. GOodridge OF The
Council.
From Portsmouth Messrs. G. 5. Shsr-
wood, ". V. II. Williams. J. Davis Reid,
John j. King. and Joseph +. Weaver,
members OF the Council, Mayor l.. II.
Davis. and Captain John W. HapDer,
city attorney.
From Berkley-Messrs. George G.. Mar
tin and 5. c. Jones' members Of the
Council.
From Norfolk county-Hon. William n.
Portlock, judge Of County Court; Colonel
Il. G. Marshall, and Mr.. Alyah II. Mar
tin.
SPEECHES WERE MADE.
The members were introduced to the
Naval Committee of the Senate by Sena-
tor Daniel. Speeches were made by
Messrs Sherwood, McCarrick. Poruock,
Williams and others. The impression
created was very favorable. The MEM
bers of the committee spent the after
noon in talking to senators and members
OF the House in favor of the Norfolk
yard. They urged that the plant Of the
Government for ship-buiiding at Norfolk
be kept up. and that as much OF the
Government work as possible be con-
structed there. They called attention TO
the fact that one cause that enables
private contractors to underbid the Gov
ernment i'm the construction OF vessels
is the eight-hour law, which does not
compel private contractors to limit
days work TO eight hours, as is the case
in Government shops.
COMPULSORY PILOTAGE.
Representative Cummings, Of New York.
made a strong argument before the Com
mittee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries
to-day I'm opposition TO the bill now be-
fore the committee abolshing the com
pulsory pilotage law.
n is believed. however. that the com
mittoe will report the bill favorably.
G. l.. Taylor has been appointed post
master at City Point, Prince George
county. Va. vice +. w. Cooke resigned.
Senator Daniel Introduced ia tne Ser
ate to-day the bin and petitions which
have been introduced in the House by
members Of the Virginia delegation. They
have all been explained in The Times.
SMALL ENCOURAGEMENT.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-This after
noon the delegation called upon Secre-
tary Herbert. at the Navy Department.
and gave expression 10 their views. They
urged upon the Secretary the ADVISABLE
" OF having one of the ships 20 be au-
thorized by Congress built at the Nor
folk navy-yard, contending that IA mag
nifcent plant was lying idle and that
the best mechanics were obtaining en-
ployment elsewhere, particularly with
the Newport News Shipbuildng and Dry
Dock Company.
Secretary Herbert did not give any en-
couragemcnt to the delegation. lie said
that if all the similar opportunities Of
people from small cities and towns on
the ,J;.sts Of the country were granted,
the Government would ont be wise
Norfolk, he explained, was not the
only place that wanted the Navy Dc
partment TO help IL in this particular.
The Governmental ad found il more
economical TO construct naval vessels By
private contract and the necessity for
making an exception in favor OF Norfolk
and Portsmouth was not apparent.