The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-29
COAL DEPOT AND
TRAINING STATION
Exposition Grounds to Be Put to
These Uses if Acquired by
the Government.
THE. ROADS GREAT AARBoR
Its Importance Emphasized in
Report Of Subcommittee Drawn
by Mr.. Hobson.
THE ROADS GREAT HARBoR
Times Dispatch Bureau,
NHiItssv Huildinx

Washington, ID. c. March rs.
The subcommittee OF the Committee
on Naval Affairs. which will report
Tuesday in favor OF the purchase OF
the site of the Jamestown Exposition
on which to locate coal depot and
Hampton Roads as a harbor and a
point from which much Of the naval
activity OF the government must ema-
nate. The subcommittee will report
two propositions. one recommending
the purchase of the entire site of 800
acres for so6o,oo0. and the other to buy
only 225 acres, for which the price OF
$4,000 Is to be paid, in each case the
exposition company's debt Of $800,00D
to the government to be Cancelled.
OF course. there Is no way of know
ing which the committee will accept,
but 1t is believed to be we'll assured
that IT will accept one OF them. and
that the location of the depot and sta
ton on the point Of land facing Fort
Monroe. across the roads at Old Point.
Is practically assured. Although the
report, which will be submitted by
Representative Richmond Pearson Hob
son .on behalf OF the subcommittee. is
not yet made public. saw 1t to-day.
Advantage. Of HAMPTON Ronds.
Hampton Roads IS the best loca
ton In the United States for first
class training station. and the best
location in the United states for a
f1rst-class coal depot the report be-
gins. "The United States has q press
Ing need for training station and
coal depot at this point.
The property OF the jamestown Ex
position Company Is well adapted to
the Joint purposes. and with perma.-
grounds. drainage. water and lighting
systems needed for training station
and With the piers needed for q coal
depot, SO that the property could be
Immediately utilized. and with a COM
paratiyely small outlay could be per-
manently adapted TO these purposes.
The present intrinsic value OF the
Company Is estimated at s1s5o.ooo. The
present intrinsic value OF the improve
ments owned by the government. which
will be practically a loss II the proper
600 making total Intrinsic value of So
100000, which are secured to the gov
eminent by total expenditure OF $780,
900. of which the bill carries $780,
000.''
The bill. reported by the committee
as substitute for the bill originally
introduced by Mr.. Maynard, provides
for the immediate expenditure of $780,
900 In payment for the property. the
balance to be paid. without interest.
on April i. 1909.
Need of Another station.
The Newport Training Station is
already inadequate for the growing
requisites OF the navy" continues the
report. and the advantage OF the vi
entity OF Hampton Roads are already
utilized, in part, by the assembling
of 100 or l,5o0 recruits at ST. He
Iona. with improyised plant where they
live under tents. IL does not require
foresight to see the inevitable estap-
lishment OF great training station in
the vicinity of Hampton Roads.
Likewise. this being the great tide
water outlet of the Atlantic coast for
high class coal and the great rendezvous
of our vessels of war 1T Is clear that n
great coal depot and station mist be
established in this vicinity. Adjoining
this property are the great terminals
OF the Underwater railroads.
The independent establishment OF
these two inevitable stations would
necessarily cost many millions of dol
lars and entail delay and hardship;
with loss in economy and efficiency
In the meanwhile. There will doubt
less never again be an opportunity like
the present of buying ready-made at
the most advantageous spot In America
at less than 100000 combined train
ing station and coal depot
The purchase would add to the
efficiency of the navy and result inl
great economies to the government. We
therefore recommend the passage of
the bill"
The passage OF the bill is very prob
able. according to Representative
Maynard, who has done and Is doing
much work in its behalf.