Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-02-09
IMPORTANT MATTERS
Considered Last Night by the Com.
mittee on Legislation
At the Rooms OF the Bonrd OF Trade
aud d. M. a. Nicaragua Canal
Project Favored "A Channel OBJ
structton Compiaint Hecoivod.

The Committee of the Board of Trade
and Business Mems Association on
Legislation met last night and consider
ed various matters. The proposed Ship
Subsidy bill was discussed, and the
matter referred back to the Board OF
Directors. The committee made no REQ
leave the matter in the hands of our
Representatives in the National Legis-
lature.
The following resolutions, adopted at
recent meeting of the Board OF Man
ayers of the Trades League of Phila-
delphia, Pa, were discussed, and the
committee recommended that the Board
of Trade and Business Mems Associa-
ton support the proposed Nicarauga
Canal bill.
! At the last meeting of the Board of
Managers of the Trades League of Phil
| adelphia. Pa, the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, The South American Cont
| nent lies entirely to the east of the
| meridian of Charleston, and thus trade
and commerce destined for the Pacific
available market, and
Whereas, The opening Of the Mica
IraSua Canal, which is pronounced feas-
ible, at n reasonable cost would give
to this country enormous commercial
advantages In the extension of our mar
kets, in the development OF new trade;
the connection of our coastwise systems
by water; the increase in the efficiency
OF our navy, and for other manifest
| reasons, and
Whereas. The present session of Con-
gress. being the long one, admits of a
careful and deliberate discussion of this
matter of so great Importance to the
United States, and
Whereas, The American public has
been made thoroughly acquainted with
the great advantages to be derived
from the construction OF this canal. and
1T is practically the unanimous senti-
ment of the nation that the work OF
construction of this proposed water
way should be commenced without fur
ther-dtlasE and prosecuted earnestly to
its completion; 1t is therefore
Resolved. That the Trades League Of
Philadelphia earnestly invites the inn
mediate cooperation OF all Governors
of States, commercial and trade bodies
industrial and labor organizations of
the United States to meInorialize their
Representatives in Congress to act i'm
mediately upon a suitable bill which
will enable the work of construction OF
this international waterway to be be-
gun without further delay.
Yours truly,
N. B. KELLY, Secretary
CHANNEL OBSTRUCTION.
The following letter from a we'll
known Norfolk shipping firm was
read:
Secretary of the Board of Trade and
Business Mems Association, Norfolk,
Va:
Dear Sir:-On January 4th our steam
ship Noranmore In sailing from South
ern railway pier No. 4, grounded some
200 and odd feet from the end of the
pier. We took this matter up with the
United States corps Of engineers, and
Major Quinn, in charge, advised us
that he has no appropriation to cover
the cost of dredging; that the only
funds he has are for the IS foot chan
mel, and this is between the edge of
the 20 foot channel and the Southern
pier. We took 1t up with the Southern,
but they advise lis that it is inside the
| Port Wardens line. and about 100 feet
beyond the parts coming under their
| jurisdiction. The vessel was delayed
soundings showed that there We're only
"a feet OF water while we ought to
have not less than rs feet at mean low
tide. In fact when properly loaded,
most OF our boats draw fully this
much water or more. AS 1t Is very
important matter to Norfolk as a port
we bring this to your attention. hoping
that something can be done to have
the knoll removed. We had the place
carefully located. 1t lies at the apex
272 feet from the north corner Of the
pier and 212 feet from the south cor
| ner.
On motion, the secretary was in
structed to send a copy to Senator
Martin with request that he bring the
matter before the proper department
| for immediate action.
The matter OF an immigration in
spector was referred to a committee OF
Mr.. Fiveash for Investigation and re-
u mort ~ ltI0'' rtf!ft