Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-05-13
AGAIN REFUSED
The Proposed Drawbridge Across
the Southern Branch.
Promoters oftho Entcrpriso Appeal
10 Hoard of ItRrbor Commissions
b.. crs For Permission 10 Construct
rriHsc-sO Foot Draw Required.

A special meeting of the Board of
Harbor Commissioners was held ut the
office of the board ut 1 o'clock p. m.
yesterday TO consider the matter of
granting the Southern Branch Draw
bridge Company the right TO construct
Il diawbridSe across the Southern
Branch of the Elizabeth river. under
the company's revised plans and spec
iiications.
The following members of the board
were in attendance: Captain w. II.
Mayo. president. and Mcssrs. C. j. Co
lonna. r. a. Dobe and John L. King
SOUTHERN BRANCH BRIDGE
The Southern Branch Drawbridgc
Company was represented in the person
of MIR. Il. Richardson. president; Mr. VI.
l.. Page. treasurer, Mr.. Synon. Il direc-
tor, and Mr.. Thos. X. Boriand, their
counsel.
The president stated the object for
which the meeting had been called and
said that the board was ready to hear
any proposition the company desired to
make
The plans and specifications present
Cd asked for permission to construct Il
bridge OF steel. with 60-foot double
draw, with plank decking resting on
piles, well Projected.
Mr.. Borland asked that Mr.. Richard
son. who WAS more familiar with the
situation than himself, be allowed To
make statement before he addressed
the meeting.
MIR. RICHARDSON'S REMARKS.
Mr.. Richardson said he desired to say
n word on the subject of general en-
terprisc, and remarked that the prop
osition of the company WAS Il part of
the enterprises that have been IN cX-
istencc in and around Norfolk for thr-
ty years. letting the farmer and dairy
men and the county merchant into the
city. and thus enhancing the interests
of both. He said every importan,
tributary OF the Elizabeth river had
been bridSed, and this road was only
another road of escape 10 and from the
city, so that those who were now with
out these advantages could enjoy them.
Ihcre was no bridge between the Great
Fridge road by which the country pco-
pie could reach the city nearer than IL
miles, and the building OF this bridge
would lessen the distance mt lcas.
miles. besides it would give the people
an improved road for their vehicles To
travel over. lie said the plan of cross
ing was at right angles to the current
going up the river beyond the custom
airy use for sail boats with 120 feet
width for the passage OF vessels, with
depth of water from to . feet
He further said there are times when
the canal has no water for the passage
of vessels and the depth of water in
the river is at least three times rs
much. 1t has been suggested that the
canal may widen it's locks and deepen
its channel, but unless that Is done i'm
the near future, the present generation
ought not TO suffer from any delay i'm
TINS sense. The canal has now n rail-
road bridge on the left and right OF 1t.
and one coming round in front of it.
MT. Richardson in closing said in view
OF inc many circumstances presented
that he hoped that the board would not
block them in their enterprise. which
he considered for the good OF Norfolk,
but would grant the Southern Branch
DrawbridSe Company the same privi-
ivgs 1t had granted to enterprises in
other sections tributory to Norfolk
INFORMATION WANTED.
| Captain Mayo and MIR. Dobic asked
Mr.. Richardson what the population
was in the sections where the proposed
bridge is TO be erected. Mr.. Richard
son replied that in some parts OF the
country there was 4 thick settlement.
while in others it was thiniy settled
but the object of building tho bridge
is to invite capital there and entablish
manufacturing enterprises.
captain Mayo asked if the greater
ADVANTAGES OF Norfolk did not depend
upon the harbor. Mr.. Richardson said
! t"tS ulu' Dul IL depended equally as
much upon her road facilities and I'M
less we can have the back country de-
velopcd by the construction of bridges
and good roads where needed. there
| would be no reason for investing capital
| in the purchase of farms.
| Captain Mayo said that the water
| advantages OF the Southern Branch of
the Elizabeth river was Of far more i'm
portance TO manufacturers than roads
| or bridges.
Mr.. Richardson said the progress of
| Industries Of course depended upon
| railroads. and much water. ana that
they should be preserved but not cx-
clusvely looked at.
TIE CANAL INTERESTS.
Mr.. Burwell. on behalf OF the Abe
marie and Chesapeake Canal Company,
said that ne was not opposed to the
| enterprise, but he did not wish any
! thing done that would interfere with
! its business. lie said Mr. Richardson
thought that the commerce of the canal
would diminish instead of being in
creased. This was a mistake. More than
800. goo 900 feet of lumber had passed
through the canal during the year 1895.
! outside of all other commerce. and this
| did not look like the business Of the
canal was falling off The company
| does not want its business hampered.
MIR. BORLAND'S REMARKS.
| Mr.. Borland said he did not aDneor
manner His clients did not ask any
action OF the board that would be un-
satisfactory. If they had the power
| they would not do anything contrary
! 10 the boards rules. I'VE want ONLY
what is right" said he It is a re-
markable fact that in the section where
permission is asked for this bridge TO
/ 1,. &c