Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-14

interest continues and increases in
the preservation of the harbor. De
spite the fact that strong influence APP
pears TO have been exerted to prevent
citizens from speaking their senti-
ments, the opposition TO the building
OF another pier by the Norfolk and
western Railway has not subsidized. In
stead of that there is Il distinct de-
lnahd that the wooden coal piers shall
DC shortened. In the interviews which
the Nir9nian-pilot prints to-day are
some new objections to the old piers.
While all of the current objections TO
the new pier are intensified. Added to
inns, there is much praise for the Vir-
ginian-Pilot FOR its vigor and persist
ence.
MAYOR BAIRD, OF PORTSMOUTH.
Edition Virginian- Pilot:
Sir,--l do not desire to trench upon
your valuable dime, the patience of Tho.
pubic. nor to write myself down an
enc my TO one of the greatest and most
influential corporations in this country,
put with Tree hands, with special OBJ
HSatpnS to none, | would deem myself
criinna. should | fail to express my
opinion i'm II matter which appears to
be crucial in it's bearing upon the in
tcrest. of Il large and faithful constil-
ucncy-thcSc are the Common people"
Coo has given to us n heritage in this
beautiful harbor which we should ap-
preciate, and for the benefits of Dos
terity our best efforts ought to be in
the line OF assisting nature. and If pos
sible, 10 aid by art to her natural beau
Ties. Trade for great arteries like the
Norfolk and Western railway is very
helpful in many ways, and all legiti-
mate encouragement TOR the pouring of
wealth into the lap of the citizen,
which is consonant with right in the
present, and without hurt to the flu
turc, should be accorded
Granted that the Norfolk and West
ern has done and will yet do a great
deal for Norfolk; granted that many
of the present generation may reap
great personal advantages by assisting
II In congcsting the harbor: granted
that the precedent of the Commissions
ers action in 1883 he taken as the true
line OF duty owing 10 the people by the
present Commission, and all conces-
SionS he given tn the Norfolk and
Western in the interest of progress. as
has been more than limited as the
breastwork behind which the Commits
sion will battle for the peoplc-what
then? Aye, what then? Who can tell?
There are other great aggreGations Of
wealth sleeping harmlcssly for the
present, that in the event Of success
attending this modest request will
wake suddenly to the interest of the
people on this side of the harbor, and
with what grace can we deny them?
They love Portsmouth and they love
Norfolk county. then why should not
they be allowed to do us a good turn
by reaching out With sinews of steel
and iron to the destruction of the mos
quito fleet. which is as helpful to the
people as the coal that is shipped to
other lands.
Eight hundred feet before reaching
Port Warden's line would. believe he
liberal to the Norfolk and Western.
and have the effect of assisting in pre-
serving the value and beauty of the
harbor.
God forbid that the harbor should
suffer any further injury than it has
already. Who, that remembers the
beauty of the view over this broad ex-
panse of water prior TO the building of
the unsightly piers of the Norfolk and
Western at Lamberts Point. and has
no money interest at stake. and is tide
water born and reared, will say that
the thrusting of this long iron spider
upon his vision IS not offensive?
There is talk of indemnity bonds for
q privilege to further mar this God
given heritage for present additions
asked. Were there any given when the
present structure was erected? / trust
not. It is my opinion that money
values ne indemnity for this invasion
of the rights of the people ought to be
considered.
MAN marks the earth with ruin: his
control stops with the shore"
SO sang the poet. but this was as
touching the sea. the Eliza beth river
Is but an arm. ana manning is no of
fence so long as the coal bunkers are
full. Respectfully,
]. THOMPSON BAIRD.
CAPT. BURROUGHS
Captain Burroughs. of the schooner
Samuel Casterner, was seen yesterday
mt Roanoke dock. where he was I'M
loading coal. His belief is that the
Iambert's Point piers should be short
ened Hospital Point cut off and the
channel widencd and deepened. Cap
tain Burroughs has been coming to
this port for five years.
CAPT. II. E. WAHLBERG.
Captain II. e. Wahlberg, of the
steamer Sauna, of Bergen. who was
here Saturday for coal. was interview
ed on the question of long piers. He
said that. so far as he was concerned.
the present Lambert's Point piers We're
unob1ectionable to him as his vessel
did not come this side of them. thus he
had no personal interest in the matter.
speaking of the smaller vessels. how
ever. especially the trucking fleet. he
said that he judged the piers must be
troublesome to this class OF shipping
A TUG BOAT MAN.
A Virginian-Pllot reporter caught the
Confi,1Itnrl ~, r. - -