Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24
MUST BE IMPROVED.
FRuITLEss EFFORT TO GET AN AP-
PRECIPITATION FOR JAMES RIVER.
LOCAL COMMITTEE IN WASHINGTON.
The Urgent Need for Funds Emphs-
overwhelmingly Tariff Bill Disap-
pointments Block the Way or
River and Hnrbor Legislation.

The subcommittee Of the Committee on
James RIVER Improvement composed OF
Mr. James Il. Vaughan, Mr.. Warner
Moore, and Captain John A. Curtis, re-
turned from Washington yesterday,
whittier they went to urge upon congress-
men the absolute necessity Of an appro-
! priation tor the Improvement of the
! channel Of the river and of the harbor
at this point. While the committee was
| disappointed IN not being able TO secure
specific promises Of immediate assistance
from the National Government, the mem
Ders have returned in a very hopeful
frame OF mind, from the fact that every
attention was paid to the information
as to the alarming condition OF the river,
which they faithfully presented, and
which they are confident will result soon
er or later in the appropriation OF the
desired amount for its improvement.
NO RIVER BILL CAN PASS.
conferences were held with Senator
Martin and Congressman Lamb, Of this |
district, but the committee was assured |
that it would be almost impossible for |
gress, for it is deemed scarcely probable !
that the bill Of that character-which is |
usually introduced each year-will origi- |
nate in the House of Representatives, in
view of the deficiency which is looked for
as result of the Dingley tariff act. If,
however, river and harbor bill is in
troduced, the committeeman were prom
ised that the claims of James river would
not be passed by unnoticed. The Virginia
representatives pledged themselves TO do
everything in their power to bring about
the appropriation, and promised TO keep
a sharp lookout in both braches Of Con-
gress for an opportunity TO favorably in
troduce the measure.
An effort on the part Of Senator Martin
to have James river included i'm the pro-
visions Of the general deficiency bill,
which met with defeat, was explained on
the ground that appropriations for river
and harbOr improvements would be at
tached TO this bill only when It was
necessary 10 work out contracts which |
mad already been entered into, and which
unfinished This. OF course.
could not apply in the case of the above
as it is a new one, made
necessary by the constant narrowing
ma nlling OF the rivers channel. The
amount really needed is Sl2j 900, but failing
~ 'NNoAO Niiios al tllOIL VIII nc Ildut " /
get at least $4,000
Captain Curtis, who is perhaps one of
the best-informed men in Virginia on the
condition and needs Of James river was
If great assistance 10 the committee in U
aging their claims before the members
If Congress. ]
DELAY IS FALSE ECONOMY.
When seen by a Dispatch reporter last i
light, Captain Curtis expressed himself :,
IS hopeful that the desired and much n
leeded appropriation would be secured. O
lie said that during the conference in j.
Washington he explained the great hin i
rance which would be placed in the way II
+ navigation on the James If no money | n
vas secured for the next two years, ana a
reduced facts which would go TO prove IN
hat It would be more costly i'm the long T
un to withhold an appropriation now and III
q compelled TO increase 1t threefold I'm
ne near future. He said this was espe-
tally true of the channel just below
utch Gap, where the west side had al m
aady begun to fiji. If this were allowed W
} continue for two years it would al bl
lost close the. river. q
AN UNFAVORABLE SURVEY. ~
He also explained away the mistake "a
: technicality in the survey which has t.
eretofore initiated against the harbor tte
Richmond. Under previous contracts -,
)vernment dredging has only been car hi
ed up the river TO the corporate limits wi
the city. From this point TO the lock-
ties is a distance of 800 feet, and In
lis part of the channel the water is ,
ally two feet less in depth than below Ra
e line Of the city limits. Captain cur ms
said this was clearly an injustice 10 tic
e city of Richmond, as this part OF the sci
yer was in as much need OF attention az
any other, and, as matters now stand ~
only served to collect deposits which | wi
IS constantly shifting down stream an
lder the present conditions a vessel OF tn,
feet can only make the Richmond port
high tide, while from the point where
e government is in charge a constant I
erage depth Of channel permitting that baI
lught is maintained. an,
'aptain Curtis assured the Congress- A.
~ that while favorable answers had Re
IN received from the engineers OF a ~.
mber Of rivers through the country as \, ~
their condition, If not improved for tra
next two years no such report could Del
made in reference 10 James river. b.
" Loo