The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-04
PREP ARE.
BUILD SHIPS
Set Of Launching Ways for
Norfolk Navy-Yard.
TWO. AND a HALF MILLIONS
Such the Amount Recommended Tor
Improvements--The Oliver on Re-
firing Company viii Discharge
its Receivershlp-Gosslp.

Az II # fsncc,al to The Timcs-D ispatch)
NORFOLK, VA, September 3.--lt would
appear that the government is gong 70
prepare for the construction OF It's own
+ ,a rsbips Naval officers consider ono item
In the expenditures desired for THIS yhrn
& this year very Significant III IS inc
appropriation OF an even one huho!eu
thousand dollars for the building OF
set of launching ways.
There have been no launching ways nj
this yard since the Texas and Ralelsn
were put overheard, from the ahclcnt
stone unsupported ways, from Whlcn
many of the old frigates that sailed ano
shot their way to fame and glory, were
given their maiden plunge.
Tho fact that after twelve years. the
government deems 1t worth its while 10
Inv down launching ways shows, IN the
onlnion of naval officers that the lesson
& tho Navy Department has been tnught
OF late years by the private shipyards anu u
Nv the formation and collapse Of the ship
building trust has not been. entirely lost'
TO BUILD SHIPS.
"Of course said an officer today.
"eyery yard should be equipped IN ali
respects to build a ship as quickly, ana at
MS small a cost as any private concern IN
the country. There is no sense N lettlhk
4
work. The New York yard now mas
battleship and 1t would be very scnsiole
thing If the next Congress should aware
ono to this navy-yard and then next year
let Mare Island have one. IN the mean
time using the intervening time gettihs
the ward in shape to do the work.
The general impression at the yard ap-
nears to be that tho building OF the SHIPS
viii follow the restoration Of the launch.
ing ways. and even this prospect. oaseo
largely upon conjecture. Is much discuss
ed.
IA The total expenditures recommended 10
Rear Admiral Endicott, ch1et OF l'io
bureau of Yards and Docks Of the navy,
+ ~ Gc,tyil Engineer Fred Thompson of this
station amounts to s2,5ls.0o0. 1t IS be
$lieved that practically every dollar OF TINS
amount will be included In the depart.
Ement's estimate to Congress- Then It VIII
he up to the Virginia representatives III
both houses TO see toEit that the money
is appropriated by Congress- inc items
for which specifications have peen lot
warded to Washington are all very padly
needed by the yard.
TO DISCHARGE RECEIVER.
Tho Oliver Refining Company VIII nave
= successful issue from its troubles me
h,r nlant on the suburbs Of Portsmouth
MI, n all probability revert to Its own
ers in very short time. and the RECEIVERS
viii scarcely remain In charge longer
than the necessary papers can 20 executed
and minor details arranged
The proposition of New York relatives
\ of the divers is that all claims amount.
Ing to $3.50 be paid at once. and that az
other claims be guaranteed BY them. IL
IS understood that the two parties VINO
1cffer themselves as surety In the case
arc worth upwards OF million dollars.
s The Messrs. John and Fred Oliver, VINO
built the plant, are business men or raro
ocumen-progressiye enterprising, mon Of
suntiring Industry. They have accumulated
much property and won a high place
among the leaders Of the cotton oil re-
firing industry. Their Portsmouth plant
is the latest and most thoroughly equipped
in the United States. which means In the
world,