The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-01-05
MILLIONS ASKED
FOR THE JAMES
Chamber Of Commerce
Adopts Resolutions.
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
Richmond's Growing Commerce De-
mands Prompt Action.
IMAGINATION is RATIFIED.
AMALGAMATlON is RATIFIED.
Members OF 1ounS Mems Business
Association Admitted to Member
sliip-Coiuncl Purccll's :icsolu-
ton Asks Support Of all i'll
the Scu5our,i's Console
tiation Plans.

A called meeting of the Richmond
chamber Of Commerce was held yester-
day evening at o'clock, President S. w.
Travers in the chair.
The first business i'll order was Tue
ratiiicat ton by the Chamber OF lhe
previous action OF the Board Of Directors
in adopting the plan for the amalgama-
ton Of the Chamber and the Young Men
Business Association as outlined IN re-
port from the special committee repre-
senting the Chamber and special COM
nlittee representing the y. NJ. Is. a. inns
plan having been read and explained py
Mr. l.. T. Morris, d member OF the IMAM
berS Committee was approved by the
meeting, whereupon in accordance WIN
one of the features Of the plan, 2i4 mem
bcrs of the y. N. B. A. according to the
list furnished by the Secretary Of that
Association as in good standing, We're
elected members OF the Chamber upon
certain terms and conditions set forth IN
the plan of analgamation.
IMPROVEMENT OF JAMES RIVER.
The, attention of the Chamber was then
called to the very gratifying report OF Col.
Allen affecting the examination and sur
vey of the James river, and the endorse
ment thereof by Gen. Wilson. Chief OF
Engineers and its transmission to Con-
gress.
AS expressive of the deep sense Of the
importance Of this Improvement and the
report and recommendation above re-
ferrcd to the following preamble and
resolution were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the great and growing i'm
portance Of the commercial interests Of
the port OF Richmond, Va. and OF: the
State whose commerce is tributary
thereto demand the immediate improve
rnent of James river, so as to g-Te at
least % feet of water at mean low tide
from the head of navigation. Richmond
to the sea: and as the authorities OF the
National Government recognizing the IN
portance of this public work, in 1os4.
adopted a revised project, providing Tor
that depth of channel, at an estimated
cost of 81 4.5G0, GOO, but because Of Inadequate
appropriations, only 16 L. feet depth has
been secured to the lower city in':-s Ivy
a Government outlay OF sl."-.95', at
which rate of expenditure in the future
il would require nCre than forty JearS
additional time to -omplete this govern
rnent undertaking.: :;nd.
Whereas since 1866, the City of Rcn-
lnond has appropriated from its own
treasury, for this work, the sum of s2:i-
667S4, and this expenditure has, in the
Language of General William P. CraiShill,
late of the Corps of Engineers, Z. S. ~,
always been spent in accordance with
the views OF the engineers of the United
States charged with the improvements,
and everything that could reasonably be
expected has been done by the authorities
of the city to make the joint operations
successful ana economical which :utc1us
the strongest proof of the community s
faith and interest in the undertaking: and.
Whereas, the construction of the en-
gines and the machinery of the battle
ship Texas. and the satisfactory results
already attained in building the torpedo
boats and destroyeTs under contracts re-
Gently awarded the W. r. Trgg Co.
which together with exceptional advan-
tages possessed by this port for ship
building. pointed out by eminent enGi-
neers, demonstrates the presence here of
capacity and skill to meet the demand of
the government along these lines; and,
the conditions here are likewise AL most
favorable for the construction of a fresh
water basin for the accommodation of
naval vesseIs-no such basin having as
yet been provided in this country. though
the urgent necessity therefor is well rec
ognized: and finally as there is no port
on the Atlantic coast SO impregnah!e from
assault by the warShips of 4 hostile pow
er. and none. therefore. more favoraby
located for the building Of naval vessels
and the manufacture of munitions of war
In view Of all these facts it is respect
fully but earnestly submitted that con-
sideratons of sound public policy, as well
as the growing demands of the com
n1erce tributary to this port, render it
imperative now that annual appropr'a-
tions should be made by the National
government. IN such sums as will provide
for the completion of this improvement
as indicated. in the most expeditions
manner possible. it having been duly rat
flied and undertaken by the government
therefore be ii
Resolved, by the Chamber of Commerce.
that the National Congress and the River
and i1arbor Committee and the Appro-
prlations Committee be most earnestly
and respectfully requested to fartarlbly
consider the report and recommendations
OF Cols Chas. j. Allen Corps OF Engineers,
u. S. A, as endorsed by General John
NJ Wilson, Chief OF Eng. neers. U. S. A.,
touching the expenditure for the improve
ment of james river.
THE sEABONRD AIR LINE.
Col. John B. Purcell offered the follow
ing preamble and resolution relating to the
Seaboard Air Line system:
The people OF Richmond, Virginia. have
watched most eagerly the work that has
been going on for the completion and
consolidation of the Great SeaDoard Air
L:ne system, after the plan set forth by
President John Shelton Williams
As this Will give Richmond a centre Of
Noltise:n and Wes ern traffic. a uirect
lire 10 Tampa, Florida. the door to the
West Indies and South America, and so
through Atlanta, Columbus and Ment-
gcmery another outlet to the Middle,
South and Southwest between it's termin
exchanging valuable coTnmodit:szs with
the most productive and richest districts OF
this country; passing through The most ac-
tive, prosperous and important manufac-
turing, commercial and agricultural dis
trlcts OF the South, IFS branches comnuni-
eating readily with the tseaports of the