The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-11

HON, JANE
citing widespread interest, and which has
received the endorsement of this cham
Der and a very large number of other
organizations. including some of a ma
tional character.
JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION.
An enormous amount OF work, and, as
/ am informed, of a most creditable char
acter, Is being done by the jamestown
Exposition authorities to make the cele-
bration to be held there this year. as
nearly as possible. commensurate with
the great event the exposition was de-
signed to celebrate. The gathering to
be had in Hampton Roads of the navies
of the world is a tribute of civilization
to the triumphs OF popular government
in this country. which had its birth
and was developed from the settlement
made at jamestown in 1907.
This great historical occasion will draw
to jamestown a vast ~concourse OF people,
representing all quarters of the globe.
1t is, therefore, most desirable that our
manufacturers make full exhibits OF their
products at tho exposition. Unless this
splendid advertising opportunity, at our
very doors, is going TO be sacrificed.
prompt and vigorous action must be
taken. The time is to short TO admit Of
any delay. The chamber has worked
diligently. and 1 think inteIligently. to
secure a full representation OF our manu-
featured products at Jamestown, and 1t
is to be hoped that the fruits of Its
labors will be made manifest by a Rich
mond xhibit fully demonstrating the
city's progress and Importance as a
| ntre OF Industry.
THE DOCK QUESTION.
The acquisition of the Richmond Dock
by the city Of Richmond. proposed by the
| Chamber OF Commerce, and SO earnestly
| advocated by 1t, is held in allegiance, pend
ing the decision of some legal questions
which rave arisen in reference to the
property, including the dock acquired by
| the bondholders of the w. r. Trigg Ship
! Company. While 1t Is q disappointment
| that this matter, so important to the Snip
ping interest OF Richmond, has not been
consummated, 1t should not be lost sight
| of, but should be revived as soon as the
legal questions involved ave been deter
| mined.
IMPROVEMENT OF JAMES RIVER AND
INLAND WATERWAYS.
This public work, in which the city
government and tho of COM
merce have always felt the profoundest
4" interest,", Is lIlNtsttu 4 ciQiillcIIui III
terest on account OF the proceedings of
a. large and most influential body. which
assembled December 9Th, in Washington.
| D.. c., known as the River and Harbor
Congress, which congress has for its OBJ
ject larger appropriations by the general
J government for river and harbor improve
! ments. It Is conterded. and justly so,
| that no more important public work en-
cages the attention of Congress and that
- -s.,a. ..l orhrr hill - a rp,.nrrfaf TING
fifty million dollars a year should be
passed by each Congress for a period Of
ten years; that this bill should be recog-
| niZed as one of first Importance and dig
nifty by our National Legislature. which
has not heretofore been the case, and that
the paramount Importance Of such a
policy is emphasized by the absolute In
ability Of the railroads of the country
| to handle the immense increase in pro-
duction.
An influential committee of the cham
Der attended this conference and rem
| dered Importance service by its efforts to
have the Congress act strictly within
the declared purpose OF the movement.
namely to advocate q larger devotion Of
the money of tho general government In
the aggregate for river and 1arbor i'm
provements, but not TO advocate the
claims of any particular work OF i'm
provement.
In this connection the president sub
mitted a statement showing Che cost Of
transportation per ton mile Of railroads
as compared to waterways in this coun-
try: also showing the amount appro-
priated by the United States government
since Its foundation to the present time
for river and harbors, as compared with
similar appropriations made by various
foreign States.
1t will be observed, the report con-
tinued, first, that the cos OF transpor-
the United States is 7.79 mills, as
against go mills on the Great Lakes,
90 mills on the Erie Canal. ~ feet
draught estimate; 10 mills on the Erie.
the Ohio River to Cincinnati. i. mill on
the lower Mississippi River.
1t will next be seen that the United
States government; with navigable
and a'' h li.tes' o only s47o. eoo,ooS, Wills
Holland; with Wo.]thousand miles. has
Vii 1000 miles, $1,000 oo, 900: Ger
many, for Hamburg harbor. $75, Don, 900:
England, for LiyeIrpool. 5000, oqo 900,
and p ar so on: r. s tGe .6 4oi5ed a S5ates y ws sor
ten years to tho development OF her
practically Al 900 miles of navigable
waters, she would stand 100000, 900 be-
| by Holland for the DEVELOPMENT df her
two thousand miles OF navigabld wa
it is shown that Germany, through her
liberal policy In respect to Iifland
Waterways and canals. reduced the cost
| OF moving n ton of freight a given dis
tance. expressed In our currency. from
| twenty to six cents, and to the cheap
ened TRANSPORTATION thus secured is
largely duo the commanding position
attained by her In the realm Of inter-
national trade,