Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-11-18


was sixteen feet Continuing. he said
other harbors-Charleston and Savannah.
par0cularly-on which there had been eX4
pended about the amount asked for the
James river had been practically com
pietcd ana. as a fair comparison, Colonel
Cutshaw argued that Richmond should
have tho same treatment. The oppor-
tuniues afforded in Richmond for the
establishment of factories for munitions
OF war, for gun factories, and an en-
iarged ship-building plant. situated at the
mead Of tidal river with fresh water
for harborng ships and water deep enough
20 float them and dock them. and with
the utilization of power az the falls for
re-establshing the necessary plants 10
carry on these operations, make Rich
mord an ideal location unequalled on
any stream On the Atlantic coast.
Colonel Cutshaw spoke of the improve
ments from an engineering standpoint
though he made telling alluson to
what had been done here during the civil
war the manufacture of plates for the
Merrmac, of cannon and munitions of
war In conclusion. Colonel Cutshaw
said there had been no opportunity du-
ring the recent visit of the President and
the members of his Cabinet TO Rich
mond 10 show the river and harbor. and
10 was the earnest desire of the citizens
of Richmond that the Secretary would
come again and take time 10 look over
the river work.
Secretary Allen made a happy allusion
10 the rain which greeted the presi-
dental party on their visit to Richmond
but gave no direct answer TO the invita-
ton extended by Colonel CNtshaw.
MIR. MENTIONS ERNEST SPEECH
Captain Lamb then introduced Mr. Vir-
ginius Newton who, he said. was one OF
kichmond's most prominent and inhuen-
ual citizens Mr.. Newton said:
Mr.. Secretary-C Of the fact
that high public Office gives no exemption
to ucspassos Of the nature We represent
We shall at least manifest our appreci1-
ton of your courtesy by bTevity in our
claim 70 your attention.
The delegation before YOU is a joint
committee, composed of committees from
the Council. Board of Aldermen. Chamber
of Commerce. Tobacco Exchange. Grain
and Cotton Exchange, Clearing Exchange
Banks, and YOUNG Mems business Assoc
citation OF the city of Richmond. Va.
We are commissioned 10 present ma
terlal facts relating 10 the Improvement
of tho James river. which We believe Will
secure your attention and final favorable
action.
We present no new project. but one
which the government has already dp-
proved and committed itself 20 complete
- feet OF water at mean low tide from
Richmond TO the sea.
This work. originally projected in 1870,
enlarged and supplemented by subsequent
legislation. was computed 10 cost S51J9.34o.
After q lapse Of thirty years, there mas
been expended SlTOlgO an average Ot
$1,000 per annum. which. II not increased.
will take forty-three years to complete
the improvement In 1913 and 1876 SINH
lar work and appropriations We're made
for the harbOrs of savannah and Charles
ton. At these cities the original apprO-
priauons, and even more have been near
ly expended. and they have secured q
depth of 20 and y feet of water at mean
low tide. and - feet al flood tide
AT Richmond. after thirty years, less
than two hfths of the computed cost has
been expended, and our commerce Is YET
seriously retarded and 1cOpardiZed by
delay which limits us 10 is feet OF water.
though the Chief III Engineers, United
States army in his last report states
that "the best and most economical re
suits 10 the government can be secured
10y liberal appropriations TO this work
Our mission primarily, then. Mr.. Sccic-
t6ry. Is 10 impress YOU with the Justice
and necessities of our claim. and 10 IN
woke your aid in the speedy completion
Of this work.
VALUE OF THE STREAM
The James river serves not only the
&c nm ercial interests OF two cities and
eicht counties in the state. which touch
it's banks but the States OF West VIZ
giuia. Kentucky. Tennessee, ana Noruh
4 carolina, three OF WHICH nave lll-ti H'ti.h
their Senator'S and Representatives ln
Congress TO vote for this Improvement
At Richmond six railway lines, controlling
1900 miles of track give transporlaupn
to its traffic TO all interior points ana
the efficient development Of this river
becomes q potential factor In regulating
the dinerenual rates Of railroad trans
DCTtatOn.
Marine necessities OF the day demand
larger vessels the present average being
j 443 tons, requiring depth Of = Ieet
anC one industry alone at Richmond.
making importation of raw maJeilal nos
TO be had I'm this country. Is forced 10
mike train shipment seven or eight times
"a year. adding $.150. or 10 cents per ton
10 each average cargo Of $50 tons.
Despite these limitations, the present
tonnage per year 10 each mile on river Us
Is $50 tons while the entire railway syS-
ten of The country I'm 1898 carried out
; 100 tons per mile, a difference OF LNao
tons per mile I'm favor OF this route. Ihc
cost OF this Improvement per mile IL about
SCI 1913 while the average cost or railway
construction is $54.289 per mile
We have spoken hitherto OF our Inn
mediate needs. yet the question is not
without import 10 the government you
The Cuban war brought home 70 MS The
defenceless condition Of Gun 0ock-Yaids
ana ship-bUilding plants on me seaDoaro'
and necessitated the detachmeni OF seye-
raj cruisers 10 protect, though made
0ratelv their interests Such cOnsidera- |
lions doubtless prompted the resent state |
ucnt Of Admiral Melville and lrvins NJ |
Scott the builder of the oregon, thdl |
Richmond. geographically. topoGrapnical
lv. and strategically. Is the most central |
and impreenable lection On |
the Atlantic scabOard for ship-Dundlns.
frcsh h water basins for docking, cleaning, |
and preserving vessels whilst its water |
power railroad facilities and proximity |
fo coal and mineral-helds mark IL as |
favorable 20 an unlimited development.
since June 1866. Virginia has paid TO |
-ha United States Government IN internal |
-c,euuc taxes a4l 10000 the city az kicn-
.oond S-gOOeG9O In this period the total |
revenuc tax IN the United states was
X me-. cent. Of the whole taxable values; |
!, VIRGINIA for the same period II was |
N nor cent. Of its taxable values, ana M |
Z ichmond 50 per cent. Of It's taxable
-aiues IN 1898, being. z y-l9 per cent;
,r,sfer than the high taxable value cI
Re entire real estate. o,-,...
,cbe second Internal Revenue District
~ which Richmond Is the centre, pali
p, The General Government the last fiscal
ear a tax that would practSaIiy CUM
,icte the Improvement we Assn ioi'
CHANGES SINCE THE WAR
o,r condition is not that OF people who
,,,frelv await national aid. an early en- |
II inrnssnt constrained us 10 agricultural
j, renifs The vioissitudes OF civil war,
,tile, A. retarded development ana sadlN
y nietes our resources. has driven US 10
,fohanical and industrial development as
ne means of rehabilitation; No h"IueI
AZ can be put 10 a people; none nave
,ore g,llv met such crucial conditions.
tribute alike TO their energy ana the"
since 1866 the city Of Richmond. OF It's
eyenues. has expended upon TINS IN
rryement under the direction OF the
CONCLUDED ON THIRD PAGEJ