Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-16

The Board of Harbor Commissioners
held an adjourned meeting yesterday
at noon TO consider the new plan for
pier at Lambert's Point, submitted
at the previous meeting of the board
There were present President II. a.
Dobic. John Il. King. j. IL. Jacocks,
Col. George w. Taylor. and John n.
Vaughan, and IL number of citizens.
After explaining the object of the
meeting to be the consideration of the
request OF the Norfolk and Western
railway to build Il new steel pier at
LamDcrtS Point, out to the Port
Wardcn's line. he asked if any persons
desired TO be heard in favor OF the
pier
Col. Walter II. Taylor said the re-
quest of the Norfolk and Western is
simple proposition. 1t Is within the
limits of the law and is according TO
The rules laid down by the board. He
isked that the commissioners consider
The question on it's merits and grant
The request of the Norfolk and West
srn railway.
MIR. John G. Tilton. appearing for the
Nrglnian Pilot, and in opposition to
granting the proposed pier privilege as
asserted, said that he would present
facts as stated by the petitioners. who
are representative citizens of Norfolk
Portsmouth. Berkley and vicinity, ask
ing that no further obstruction be per-
nitted in the harbor and channel.
Mr.. Tilton took care To explain that
the Nirginian Pilot is not inimical to
the Norfolk ana Western railway. 1t
advocates anything that brings traffic
ana increases the Importance of Nor
1olk. 1t maintains, however, that the
harbor is INSTRUCTED by the present
piers, and contends that they should
be shortened. 1t is fight against the
extension of the long piers.
There are other interests here beside
the Norfolk ana Western. There are
large and small vessels. schooncrs. and
n whole fleet of small craft coming
here, whose interests must be consid-
cred. 1t is your trust TO deal with
every legitimate trade so that privi-
legcs TO 1t Will not trcspass on some
one else.
He rccited the fact that Commodore
TruXton and other maritime authori-
ties have advised that the Port
Wardcn's line be fixed 500 feet back OF
the present line. beyond which no ri
pnrian rights should allow buildings
to be constructed.
He sketchcd rapidly the influence of
Gen. Groner COL. Lamb and Gen Ma
hone, and To the political reVulsion
which gave the opportunity to them to
fix the Port Wardcns line where it eX-
lists. He said, however, that the IIar-
Dor Commissioners have the power to
say that no riparian owner can go be-
You'd that line.
Mr.. Tlton read n letter from Capt.
George p. Hudson addressed to the
Harbor Commissioners. The letter
said the policy of the Harbor Commits
6ioners should be to maintain free nav
igation. 1t should not allow the chan
mel to be obstructcd. The letter con-
tended for the interests of commerce.
Continuing, Mr.. Tilton said the Nir-
rf,,tt LOT 1,nS. vi. tn In,
mace that the long piers are to the
harbor; that short piers are the proper
substitute for the commissioners TO adj
vocate; that they should pursue pol
icy to promote short piers. The long
piers should be shortened about 500
feet. The newspaper asks that the
Port Warden's line be moved back
about 500 feet to where the Advisory
Board suggested that it should be.
Col. Walter II. Taylor for the Nor
folk and Western Railway, said the
policy of the road is to make friends
with all persons. Many unkind things
have been said and done, but he would
not refer to one nor answer the other.
The position of the railway is that the
opposition is due to misapprehension.
The road has appeared in conformity
with the law. We ask for q pier that
is absolutely necessary for our bust
ness. The privileges heretofore asked
have been abandoned. We propose now
to erect the pier within the lines Sc:
down by your board. This pier is
part of n system conceived long ago
II would not have been thought of bu.
for the system that was started long
It Is $500 feet from the Port
Warden's line on the opposite side OF
the river; the others piers are 100 feet
from the opposite side.
This board has prescribed n line
within which such structures shall he
built. We submit the plans asking
may go on with the work.
When these piers had been built
agreeable to the law it becomes diff
cult to remove them. He contended
that the river is not narrowed. The
shoals are there just the same, whether
the pier is built or not. He contended
that the piers do not affect the chan
nel except to improve it.
Col. Taylor said that the railway
would be glad to have speedy de-
cision.
Mr.. Dobie read an extract from an
editorial in the Virginian-Pilot, in
sioners sit MS representatives of the
people of Norfolk Portsmouth. Berkley
and the vicinity. Mr.. Dobe differed
from the editor and the paper. He
sits he said, as a judge for the best
interest OF the State and the harbors
and waters of the State. He said that
Is the view of his associates; that lie
would examine the question patiently
and earnestly. according TO his own
Judgment, to do what is best
Here petitions signed by representa-
tive citizens were delivered to the