Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-08
PUBLIC PoWER-p PLANT.

A letter from a representative Of Post
IA. Travellers Protective Association
published in this paper yesterday empha-
sizes the fact that Post A is at work
70 add TO the manufactures OF Richmond
and invites the cooperation Herewith Oh
rhe general public. The post has just
concluded arrangements for the estab-
tishment here of a factory for the manu-
sacture of mems clothing, and has other
enterprises in view
If Post A will undertake the entire
work to be done. or will become the nu-
cleus for a larger organization, we shall
se very glad. indeed. What is needed
by us is the laying Of a foundation. broad
Strong. and lasting. The best foundation
that we can think of would be in the
form of ample water-power or ample
electric power, to be furnished at rates
as low as ii can be furnished anywhere
else In the country.
Though we Richmonders have done no
little Boosting as to the extent and
value Of our water power, small invest
prs. looking for suitable factory sites
here have not always been impressed
6avorably with our advantages. We are
told by some that what is needed is the
enlargement of the canal so that 1t Will
afford more power. But IL is admitted
ahat TO do this would require the eXpen-
diture of n large sum Of money. For
great portion of the distance between the
basin and the Three Mile locks the canal
could only be enlarged by cutting down
she granite bluffs This would necessa-
rily cost large sum Of money. Hence
shere are many who think that much
better plan would be for the business
mon OF Richmond to organize a company
10 erect a great electrlc-power plant near
she Three Mile locks from which plant
power might be dispensed to any factory
an Richmond and at the lowest possible
rates.
The great advantage of this scheme
MOULD be that the investor would then
be able TO have his choice of hundreds
of building sites. He might buy lot1n
Fulton. or one in the valley, or in jackson
Ward. or in Clay Ward. or on oregon
aInl. lie could select a location where
ne was suited best. and no matter where
he went in this city. the electric-power
mres could be brought 10 him.
This plan is similar TO that now in
successful operation at and about Ma
kara Falls. To be sure, we have no such
falls in James river as those at Niagara,
NET we have falls that would afford power
enough TO run scores of great factories
Nnd. what is more, Il is quite possible
that among the waterway right ana
holdings Of the city of Richmond are
some that might be turned 10 excellent
advantage in furthering this scheme.
suppose we could say to manufacturers;
Come to Richmond; make your homes
here: build your factories here. and we
Wedge you that the power That you need
shall be furnished you as cheapiy as II
can he obtained anywhere IN this section
M the United States. Wouldn't that be
a great inducement? We think so. 1t
would certainly outweigh any such In
ducement as exemption from taxes for a
term Of years
II IL 10 inquire into the feasibility Of
this and other projects that we wish to
have q public spirit club here. If we
have the nucleus OF the club in Post \.
40 much the better. But whether the
club has It's beginning there or in the
chamber Of Commerce. or elsewhere 1t
would require as TO practice the get-to-
eether habit. and to be as liberal In
our home investments as we have here
tofore been with out-of-town investments.
Come 10 think Of those ou;-of-town IN
vestrnents we cannot but lament that the
money RichmondeTs invested elsewhere
some years ago was not invested here
III Il had been. we would have been bet
ter of as a community, and we know
of individual citizens who are now poor
who. might nCw be very rich. We have
very considerable number OF wealthy
men here; but We can recall none whose
fortune was made By outside invest
ucnts No. not one. Richmond mas
been a money making place In The past
and will continue so. unless we throw
AWAY our great opportunities. But we
need moi look backwards now. except TO
proft by th,,t experience. Let Ms look
Forward. and II eny man knows OF
plan that offers more benefits than the