Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-09

sTide rises at Richmond, 3 II feet; gay
data in the last annual report Of the
Chief of Engineers, United States army:
Other instances. such as the improve
ment at Mobile, the Great Kanawha, etc,
might he added, but those mentioned
above sufficiently demonstrate that the
appropriatiOns for James river have been
entirely disprOpOrtiOned 10 It's relative
innortance. Notwithstanding the fact that
il is stated in the last report or the Chlel
Of Engineers, that "the conditions OF
this work are such that the best and most
economical results for the United states
can be obtained from liberal approprla-
tons"
NOT ENOUGH INTEREST SHOWN.
For this situation our own people are
largely responsible in that they nave not
generally felt the same profound interest
and nut forth the same united and
persistent efforts that other communities
have in securing large appropriations
Not only could Richmond i'll anord
heretofore 10 be surpassed by other ports
in the creation OF all necessary faclhues
tor commerce, but the question is daily
becoming more vital one Tor the reason
that all classes Of vessels are now Delhs
built Of greater carrying capacity, ana
consequently Of greater depth and with
/
Improvement of our river has not kept
pace The result is, that our commerce
is restricted TO the use of what are now
vessels of lighter draught. which are not
the cheapest for carrying freghts, ana
this situation. unless promptly corrected,
will not only check the development or
our commerce by water, but eventually
cause the diversion Of existing traIhc from
this river TO other routes.
But. Notwithstanding the foregoing
statement which is made 10 stimulate
interest and arouse the community 10 the
fact that we have not been in the past
dulv alive TO the necessity for greater
efforts I'm expediting the completion OF
this Improvement, conditions and circum-
stances exist at present which fully JUSTIFY
the belief that with a proper pre-
sentation OF the reasons for more liberal
appropriations, they can unquestlonapiy
be secured
THE GOVERNMENT COMMITTED.
The government after most careiul
survey. has committed Itself 70 the
scheme. hence there is no reason why
denominations should not be made TO
evec,ite il in the most beneficial, eNpe-
dltious. and economical! manner. Ihere
is also no reason why the work OF I'M
movement under the General GOVERN
ment should stop, as 1t now does al INC
lower city limits, when ude-Waler' over
which the government has cohtIol' Ca
tends really TO Aiayo's bridge, ana most
of the shipping. including all Of the steam
shin lines plying regularly 10 Klch-
mond load ana discharge .heir IrelshI
WITHIN the lower city limits. Inc I'M
portance Of this extension OF the WoIh
IN the head of navigation mas Deem III d
measure. recognized by me government
which has ordered a survey OF the haIDol'
and II should be. at least urged 10 deepen
the channel 10 the loch-gates'
rbe situation here is also most favorable
for a fresh-waIer basin III winch
vessels OF the navy and inerchant NeSSeIS
can be docked with greatest au'a" OSeo'
and The w. Il. Trigg COMPANY sHiP
builders. now engaged IN tue eons'i ~
ton of torpedo-boats and torpeuo-Dodt-
|Cstro,ers for the government, anoros
every facility for repairs or sleh othoi
work as is constantly necessary lor Sc
Going vessels our iron industries chedP
coal and iron, our large force OF u@iiieu
mechanics are factors Of the nlst I'M
portance, while the Location vi ni0n
mond from u stTategical point Oh view
makes IL the most central, convenient
! and impregnable position on the AldllS
| seaboard for ship-building plants anu loi
| q fresh-watcr basin for cleaning anu
| docking vessels.
IMPORTANT TO OUR FUTURE.
Nothing but a failure 10 realize our
| great advantages and 10 appreciate the
! vital ana pressing necessity for deepening
! the river as rapidly as possible STANDS III
J the way OF greater progress IN TINS I'M
/ provement The city Is daily becoming
| more important railroad centre, put
/ we must also have ample facllltes LOT
| ,,ater transportation, similar 10 those en-
| ioved by other ports, II we are TO hoid
| 80, o,,r relative position IN material
/ ,.,.o,,,ees and development and every clu-
! -, 80 richmond should DE most earnest
/ 1900 of the Improvement OF the
! 49, rho time Is now most propi-
| - N,eyer in the history OF the coun-
| 49,, nos such an opportunity existed lor
! - 80, "a engage IN large ana ilnpoI-
80 enfer,rises, especially that OF pullu-
, sbins the ship-yards OF the couh-
80 80 overcrowded with orders sohe
20 -, With more work than they eau
o,,.c,,,e in The next three years ins
eses, Interest has been aroused ~
se,abl,ehing our merchant marine WIN
| ~ ,',oyy ~ competing for snare OF 'Hs
earr,tn, trade Of the world as wen as
! ~, NJ our own products, Which, ioi wv
aonsrtor of O century nave peeh tianS,
rorted abroad almost enureiy Oh io''
! inc utterances OF such distinsuisheus
evuerts as Rear-AdmiTal MeNHe 81.
Irving NJ. Scott, at the mee.ns c,',n
| Thursday at the Common"eaie" -.
\ should inspire the most uhehle'pi 81 SIC
| with faith In our resources anu