Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09
NO ACTION
TAKEN YESTERDAY
BY the Harbor Commissioners il
the N. & w. Pier Matter.
WILL BE UP AGAIN FRIDAY.
of the Norfolk s. Western
Railway Present and Press Their Re-
qucst-Intcrviews Along the Water
Front Show the Maritime Mon Generally
Opposed to tho Proposed Pier Extension
and Also to Present Long Pier.


and Also to Present Long Pier.
The Harbor Commissioners met again
at noon yesterday. There was q full
meeting. with Mr.. r. A. Dobie, presi-
dent: Mr.. r. e. Thompson. secretary.
and members as follows: Messrs. Geo.
Lindsay. John I. King j. II. Jacocks.
John n. Vaughan. Joseph f. Weaver
and Col. George w. Taylor. The in
terest in the discussion of the request
OF the Norfolk and Western railway for
permission for another pier attracted
a number of citizens to the meeting.
some OF whom participated in the in
formal discussions.
Mr., Dobie announced the object of the
meeting and read an editorial OF the
Ntrginian- Pilot. which. he said, placed
me railway company in the wrong
light. He said the Norfolk and West
ern railway was asked 10 satisfy the
Board of Harbor Commissioners II they
would guarantee not to go beyond the
Port Warden's line.
Captain Osborne was surprised that
an impression could be created so CON
trary Ia the interest OF the rond He
S'hib. itb Nilt IluIOO commissioners saw
where and how the pier should go. The
position of the Norfolk and Western Is
that the pier VIII not so beyond the
Port Warden's line without the consent
of the board.
The manager of the Nirginian- Pilot
contended that the statements of this
paper were correct, namely. that the
Harbor Commissioners adjourned for
further assurances from the railway,
nut that the railway not only gave no
written promise. but came asking for
more privileges.
Mr. Dobie ruled that those in favor
of the railway should be heard first.
Mr.. l.. ~. Johnson, OF Roanoke. the
chief executive officer OF the Norfolk
and Western mt Roanoke. presented two
blue print elevations of the proposed
pier.
Col. George w. Taylor moved that
the statement OF the railway be heard
at this meeting and that another meet
ing he held on Friday at noon for the
peoples case.
Mr. Johnston. speaking for the rail-
way. said in substance as follows:
THE Norfolk and Western has two
coal piers at Lambert's Point. When
built they were supposed TO be sum.
cient for all time. Up to about a year
ago they had met all of the require
ments. There sprung up demand for
coal In foreign countries: money was
spent 10 advertise the coal here: that
was successful. The coal mined bv
the Norfolk and Western has gone to
all civilized countries. Then q 200 or
1900 ton vessel was all that was ex-
pccted. Vessels have increased in size.
These piers are not high enough: not
long enough now. AS business men we
must meet the demands OF the traffic
We obtained Information and then
asked the privilege OF building another
pier.
mo business is more Interested than
the Norfolk and Western in the welfare
of this city. Owing to Norfolk and
Westerns inability to supply coal there
sr1cE fusr NovemDer Waiting to be
| loaded. Communications were received
concerning so many ships in the harbor
The Norfolk and Western wished TO
avoid that. 1t wishes to load large
ships; want to build the pier north OF
the present piers that will extend be-
yond the Port Warden's line, about 1 200
feet from the channel. There Is not
water enough for any material ships
to navigate VIII have to deepen the
water to the government depth OF the
channel. so that the largest vessels
sailing can enter to the piers"
Concluding. Mr.. Johnson said 1.-THE
railway will build in water from 3ts to
IL feet In depth.
I'VE don't pull the piers back be-
cause it is necessary 90 reach the eleva-
ton to which we intend to 60 We
must have yard room in which to as
semble cars.
The needs of the Norfolk and West
ern are urgent. We beg you not to de-
lay. We Will have the most modern
dumping piers on the Atlantic coast.
They will bring the best class OF ships.
Many large ships will come which
never came before. With these mod
ern facilities the Norfolk and Western
Will take care OF vessels as they come.
With the &c foot high pier we can
take care of four ships for bunker
coal. The present piers can take care
of cargo coal. The Norfolk and West
ern will improve the harhor.
Colonel East asked: What amount
is paid for handling coal. adding that
he has been surprised at the insignih-
cant sums quoted in the newspapers.
Colonel Osborne answered that it Is
10 cents ton on 1000. 600 tons, or $780,
600
Colonel East. not seeming satisfied.
young man in the audience said
that $4,000 or $4,000 year was ex-
pended for tugs.
u ~