The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-11-18
The Encouraging Words of the Sec
retary of War,
CLAIMS F0RCIBLY PRESENTED.
The Committee Returns 10 Richmond
Delighted With It's Reception
aud Assured that Its En-
vors VIII BE
Crowned " it h
Great Success.

The future Of Richmond as a great
shipbuilding city seems assured. Little
doubt now remains that in due course of
time we will have a splendid harbor and
river with a depth Of not less than
twenty-five feet from this city TO the
ocean. capable of bearing great warships
and steamers on its bosom.
This assurance was given the commit
tee from Richmond yesterday by the Sec
retary OF War, Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy. and chef Of Engineers Of the
Army.
THE COMMITTEE.
The committee which left here Tor
Washington Thursday night in special
car. rendered through the courtesy OF
Major f.. r. d. Myers. and returned last
night was composed OF the follo~inB
gentlemen:
From the Common Councii-Messrs.
James CasNe presidenD, w. H. curtis
julius Hobson. f.. G.. Ebel. T. +. McCar-
thy. S L. Bloomberg, William Gloson'
Jr.. and r.. l.. Peters
From the Board Of Aldermen-Messfs
Otway $. Allen (vice-presiG'nu. Reuben
burton. James I r. ANfAf ~ AtN'-
wlckc. y. II. Mosby, and ~ +. Seay.
From the Standing Committee on James
River Improvement-Messr Z. IT, Dona-
hoe. w. II. Allison. L. u. Crenshaw, Jr.,
Thomas Christian. l.. II. Fergusson'
Jackson GUY. and John +. Mayer.
From the Chamber Of Commerce
Nfessrs s. W. Travers, Nirginius Now
ton. James y. Boyd, l.. T.. Morris, B. Il.
Auuf0rd and John \. Curtis
From the Richmond Clearing House As-
sociation-Coonel W. II. Palmer. Mcssrs.
John p. Branch. and John $. Elicit.
From the Young Mems Business Asso-
ciation-Messr5 H. l.. Valentine. r. A..
Lancaster. Jr.. Warren 2. Taylor, Juhalt
Bryant. II. ID. Eichelberger, and Marx
Gunst
From the Richmond Tobacco Trade
Messrs. William G.. Miller, I. c. VIII
liams. Jr, W. +. Hancock. Thomas NJ
kinson. f. VI. Boykin, and E. T. Crump.
From the Richmond Grain and Cotton
Exchange-NIessrs, 5. T. Beverdge' T.
n. Deane. and Warner Moore. ,
Col. W. L. Cutshaw. city Engineer
one Of the principal spokesmen for the
party. Sergeant-at-Arms George G. Rus
keu. and Committee Clerk \. II. Nc
DoweI. also made the trip
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
CAPTAIN John Lamb introduced the
delegation to Assistant Secretary Of the
Navy Allen who extended 10 them d
most cordial welcome Colonel Cutshaw
and Mr.. Virginius Newton then laid be-
fore the secretary the necessity OF inn
proving the harbor and river at Rich
mond.
Mr.. Allen responded by saying that the
project has his unqualified support and
that he win do everything In his power
20 give Richmond harbor facilities COM
mensurate with the importance of her
commerce and industries.
The delegation next visited Secretary
Root The same arguments We're also
presented 10 that official. Mr.. Root was
most earnest in his support OF the pro-
feet of giving Richmond a channel OF
twenty-five depth 20 the sea. lie said
that no technicality I'm the present bill
should impede the progress OF the work
The work of the delegation cannot be
too highly commended Colonel CutshaW
and Mr. Newton made their claims IN
such a concise and forcible manner That
all Of the officials were impressed with
the importance OF the work. one claim
made by the committee was that the
works should be pressed with the great
est despatch and IN this they received
the approval OF the committee.
A FINE HARBOR.
According TO his understanding the i'm
provement contemplated should not only
include the river, but should extend also
TO the harbor.
"Of what use" said the Secretary. "is
a deep river and shallow harbOr after
the city Is reached?'
He agreed with the committee that the
work should be done as soon as possible
lie spoke OF his recent visit 70 Richmond
in the most happy vein, and said that
he was more than favoraby impressed
with the city.
Mr.. Root In his reply to the committee
made use Of particularly happy express
sion. when he said
"Of what use are sentimental express
SONS and words Of good feeling between
the sections unless they are accompanied
ty mutual and practical assistance. l
shall do all i'm my power by recommend
ton and practice 10 give Richmond har-
Dor hitting her Importance
PROMISED HIS AID.
Chief OF Engineers Wilson listened 10
the committee and promised 70 do all IN
his power 10 assist the project OF James
River improvement. He dweit particu-
ldrlV on his love tpI hlNhinolih anu A't
peonle. and spoke in feeling terms OF ms
loved ones who are buried on virginia
soil. General Wilson said that his power
was limited. and that the matter was
principally one for Congress. lie spoke
in the highest terms Of Representative
Lamb and referred to him as hard
worker for the interests of his district.
and assured the delegation that their
representative viii do all in his power
for the improvement Of james river.
THEY REACH HOME.
The committee returned home last night
at $40 o'clock.
They expressed themselves as being
most deeply impressed with the cordial
reception rendered them by the govern
ment officials. and felt every confidence
in the sincerity Of the words spoken by
those at the Departments with authority
TO speak.
Mr.. Caskie said the committee realized
that the right step had been taken. They
did not expect a great deal on the start,
but the movement, he felt. would lead to
big results.
II would have the tendency 10 keep up