The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-05
III Meeting Attempts to
Check Norfolk S Claims
.APPEALsTOASSEMBLY
Time in Which Proposition May be
Submitted is Asked.
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE ACTS
Prominent Business Men OF This City De-
clare the Great Celebration Aust cente,
Here, But Norfolk Will Have Her
Share in the Greatest of All
Naval Parades-What
Has Been Done.
CHAMBER Of COMMERCE ACTS

Richmond wants the Ter-centenary Es-
position in 1907. She declared fer it uran-
imously, enthusiastically and spontane-
ously through representatives of the
Chamber of Commerce. the City Council
and the Association for the Preservation
OF Virginia Antiquities at q meeting held
yesterday afternoon. At the same time
she took steps designed to check Norfolk.
in whose behalf u bill tc incorporate the
jamestown Exposition Company was in
troduced in the Legislature yesterday.
1t is understood that Norfolk has seventy
members OF the House pledged TO that
city, out undtunted by this eminent bus
,ness men Of Richmond declared that they
wanted the exposition and intended to
have 1T If human effort will bring it here
ne meeting was held in the rooms OF
the Virginia Historical Society. and rep
res nted the highest commercial interests
of the city. In the wisdom of the gentle-
men present action designed to check
Norfolk's tight for the great celebration
was taken in the form OF q resolution
asking the Legislature to delay action
on the Norfolk bill long enough To give
this city time to submit a proposition
Another resolution asking the Chamber OF
Commerce as d body to meet within the
next three days to endorse and take
charge OF the movement to have the great
show here was adopted
RICHMOND'S ATTITUDE.
In the meeting the general opinion was
that Richmond. as the chief historical
point and the center OF the State, is en-
titled to the exposition: that her people,
once aroused, win accomplish wonders TO
bring it here. and u feeling that with
the historical assoGlttierss clustering
about Richmond and the State generally
there would be difficulty in procuring
aid from the United States Government
III the form OF 81 large appropriation. vt
the same time there II vivid reaIiza-
ton of the fact that some hard fighting
ard whrlwiud work Will have to be done
before this great celebration is awarded
TO this city. and there was promise
from all OF ;tnstinted support.
There was no desire on the part of those
present to ignore the claims of NGrfoIls
in the matter. Instead. the discussion
took most liberal view of that city's
right to participate in the gigantic cele-
Dratiou. and it was proposed to make it
of sufficient scope TO embrace Norfolk
jamestown proper would also come in
for Il share of actual participation under
suggested what would prove to be a ma
rine exposition really in connection with
the main exposition. y parade OF all the
navIes of the world would be the greatest
feature of this part OF the celebration.
PROMINENT MEN THERE
At the meeting yesterday afternoon
were present many OF the most prominent
gentlemen of the State. Governor J..
Hogc Tyler was one Of these. although by
of u off n
ticipate in the proceedings or to take
sides for or against either Norfolk or
Richmond Others there were Senator
George Wayne Anderson, Mr.. John L.
Williams, Colonel John Murphy MIR
Joseph Bryan. Mr. W. y. Chestermau.
Mr.. Henry r. Pollard. Judge George l..
Christian. Pref s c. Mitchell. of Rich
mond College; Mr.. E. r Johnson and
Mr.. Robert Leclly. Mr.. Robert Lancas-
ter presided
As Il preliminary to the real work Of
the meeting there was read a brief state
ment showing Just what Norfolk has done
toward securing the coveted prize.
Through this it was learned that she
had already received a promise of some.
thing like half 4 million dollars from that
city and other cities adjoining: that she
had introduced in the Legislature Il bill
asking for charter. and that she claims
the personal pledges OF seventy members
of the, House.
GENERAL PLAN SUBMITTED
There was Il brief pause following this,
and then the discussion began through 4
general plan for such an exposition suit
rnitted by Mr.. 3. +. Johnson. PrefacinS
his suggestions ne stated that he had
been thinking of the matter for two or
three years and finally during the day
had committed his suggestions to paper.
He also thought it would be advisable 10
directly interest the school children OK
this city in the historical interest OF ths
proposed event through trips to James
town.
Thence he plunged into his general
scheme.
i.e did not want to see Richmono at
tempt an exposition of the o. mary type.
He thought that the wor!ds-fair idea had
been overworEzsd. Nor dia e want Rich
mond to attempt an exposition alone
His plan contemplated celebration TO
cover the entire James River Valley.
from Richmond TO No-fe1S nj called
for the cooperation of hoti. cities
Il think it would be q stupe ndous mis-
take he sale Tor Norfolk and Rich
mond to spend their strength conteud-
ing against each other. We ousnt 10
unite our forces TO secure Congress
siouai appropriation, and we ought 20 Sc
cure the co-operation of every comrnu-
nifty between the two cities in carrying,
out our plans.
WANTED y COMMITTEE.
This meeting should By all means APP
point q committee to confer Wiz like
committees from Norfolk and the sur-
rounding cities ard Jointly let them agree
on a body OF men who s's@lf become the
incorporators OF the organization looking
forward to making great exhibition
which could and would BE itberaily sup
ported by cur State anG National -Gov-
ernnent. and tte work can be 50 or
ganized thar NorfolS. Jamestown, Rich
mond and all take am honorable ard glo-
nontinnaa en rifsh PaSe.1