Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-05
PRESS OUR CLAIMS.
u,cuMoSp URGED As SITE FOR
THE ARMon FACTORY.
COMMITTEE BACK FROM WASHINGTON
r,,sy Are Favorabiy Impressed, and
Tbink the City's Advantages VIII
He wen Considered--A strong
statement Presented.

Colonel A. S. Buford, chairman and
Messrs. A. b. Clarke and w. R.Trigg. men,
bers OF the committee OF the Richmond
Chamber OF Commerce appointed to present
the advantages OF Richmond as a suitable
location for the government armor-plate
factory to the Armor-Factory Board. ac-
companied by Hon, John Lamb and Mr..
r. A. Dunlop. secretary OF the Cham
Der. have all returned to the city, with
the exception of SIR. Trigg. who went
North from Washington.
The committee report that they were
accorded a most careful and courteous
hearing and are satisfied that when the
question OF location comes TO be con-
sldered. the facilities OF Richmond. which
IN all essential respects are believed by
the committee to equal those Of any other
place mentioned in this connection, and
in some respects 10 be unequalied. have
been presented in such shape as to Sc
cure due consideration. Colonel Buford
read the prepared statement Of the com
mittee. and supplemented the matter
contained therein by some suggestions
which appeared important and pertinent
IN the course OF the discussion. He was
followed In his remarks by Mr. Trlgg
and Mr.. Clarke whose experience at the
head Of large iron industries enabled
them to present the case of Richmond IN
all of its practical bearings upon the
question I'm an authoritative manner.
Congressman Lamb, by his presence,
greatly aided the committee in manifest
ing the interest OF this community In
securing the plant for Richmond, should
the government determine TO establish
one but though invited to address the
board. refrained from speaking. as he
said the ground had been well covered,
and that his active part In working Tor
the plant would commence when the
subject was taken up by Congress.
INVITED TO COME HERE.
The committee also cordially and ear
nestly invited the board TO visit this city,
but were assured that Richmond ad-
yautaees were so well known and had
been so fully stated that 1t would be
really unnecessary TO do so; ana that as
their report upon the cost of manufactur-
ing armor plate and OF a suitable factory
were the questions which. under their APP
pointment. they were really expected TO
consider. irrespective of the location OF
the factory IL would materially inconve-
nience them to visit Richmond and some
other points 20 which they had received
equally urgent invitations.
Under these circumstances, the commit
tee of the Chamber deemed 1t both I'M
wise and inconsiderate 10 further press
the invitation upon the board TO VISIT
Richmond at this time, but left the board
with a feeling of assurance that IN any
statement which may be called for with
reference to that branch Of the question,
the location and advantages of Richmond
had been so presented that IL would en-
aIle her 10 compete fairly for the armor
factory should the government deter
mine In it's wisdom, to establish one
MUST LOOK TO THE FUTURE
The statement presented to the board
ON behalf of the Chamber Of Commerce
presents the claims and advantages OF
this city in a very clear and impressive
manner Colonel Buford in his letter 10
Commodore John A. Howell, says:
"ln transmitting herewith statement
OF the advantages possessed by hlchIloIIu
a. suitable location for tke govern
rnent aTmor-factOTy il was cOnsldeIeu
hest TO treat the subject upon a Droader
basis than that Of the immediate present
as certain features with reference 70 PlV
duction and TO the coal and IRON lhaIkets
may now exist, due in large measure
10 local conditions and temporary CAUSES
or 10 the abnormal depression OF IeCel'
years Its geographical POSITION; us mari
yirne and railroad connections with all
pOiflts of supply or delivery Whlch IL "ds
considered at all necessary 10 reacn, ~ ~
central location with reference TO mus
and its close proximity TO some OF me
principal centres of production; ana lls
resources as TO labor, power, etc, as an
established manufacturing centre, nave,
therefore, been princlpally uweit uPor, s
being the most permanent ana essenlial
factors needed for plant or the chai"o
ter In question. -, l., 80.
"In pursuance OF this method 1t was
therefore. thought unnecessary AZ 1ne
present stage OF investigation, 10 use
special expert testimony, but deemed sur
fclent If not more desirable, 10 ospehu
mon that of reliable and impartial au-
thorities whose statements had not peen
called forth with particular reference u
the subject under consideration.
HAS SUPERIOR ADVANTAGES.
The committee In their statement say;
IL appears that the question of location
presents itself in two important phases
First Ii may be considered as purely
business One-that is, with repect 10 an
the physical conditions which would gov
ern any private individual in 1udiclously
selecting a location for plant OF TINS
second That there are essentially diff
fcrent features Of location, which are
indispensable to a government factory
turning out munitions OF war, as com
pared with other great ntchdhiSdl anu
productive works.
We believe il will not be difficult 10
demonstrate the superior facilities ana
ADVANTAGES OF Richmond in all respects
for q government factory OF TINS cha-
racter. and. with that view, lay before
YOU the following considerations:
(al Material.-The location OF sucn
factory, with due reference 10 the cha-
racter OF It's product and its consumption
OF material. should be so delerHlilSu %
10 admit OF as many sources OF supply as
pOssible. so as not to be too dependent
upon any one OF them, however rich IL
may be. and. at the same time, other I'M
pOrtant requirements being duly sdtlsheu,
Tor the convenience and economy, IL
should be In as close proximity as pracu-
cable with at least one ample and cheap
source OF the most important materials
needed
90 Mechanical Labor.-lt should also be
so located as to command readily, ana AT
amy time skilled and ordinary labor IN
abundant supply, 10 insure which II
should be at or near some large centre OF
population. manufacturing as well as
commercial In character, ana not pre-
ferdbly. as many suppose, in immediate
proximity 10 any mineral region
Cd Power.-The facilities should exist
al its location FOR developing other forms
OF power than steam-power-say, water
power. or electrical power.
(d) Transportation Facilities.-it should
DO so situated as to enjoy the best ship
both its raw material and finished pro-
duct and In as many instances as posi-
bic 70 have a choice OF routes.
(e) Disposition OF Refuse.-The circum-
stances surrounding its plant should be
favorable for the removal or disposal OF