The Washington herald., 1908-08-09


Newport News. Va. Aug S-In the
early history Of American commerce. stu
dents Of the natural laws Of trade fore
saw and pointed out that Newport News
was natures outlet for the trade OF the
Ohio Valley, and sooner OF later trade
courses viii inevitably follow the line OF
least resistance one man Of science who
had given the subject careful study was
so impressed with the logic Of the situa-
ton" that he actually purchased lands
near the old hamlet, but later on lost the
courage Of his convictions and sold out
Coils ?. Huntington was the fIrst man
70 back theory with capital Many years
ago he saw the advantages Of this port
and determined 70 found city here IN
1889 and ISL re extended the Chesapeake
and Ohio Railroad from Richmond 70
Newport News. and year later built the
extensive coal piers here. This laid the
foundation FOR the city and brought It
I into public notice.
Shipyard Comes Later.
Il was not until ISIS however. when
ground vas broken Tor the plant OF the
Company. another Of Mr. Hunting1On-s
creations. that the worlds eyes were
turned 10 Newport News. The pay. rolls
OF this great industry increased from
$4,000 in 1880 70 SS5J5005 in 1871 Tie
number Of men on the rolls July 2s was
sou The pay roll is now in the Neigh
5o-hood Of S75,000 a week
Small industries Newport News has in
addition TO her snip yard. Sixteen small
industries. with combined pay rolls OF
81. 90 per annum- In Hampton which Is
only a few minutes away, there are g
small industries with pay rolls aggre-
/ eating $4,000 a year. and fl Phcebus.
which adjoins Hampton. there are several
. I other industries
According 70 the United States Census
/, Bureau the capital invested 81 these
manufacturing enterprises N 1910 vas
r SI475o.s.4, IN 1865. S22s5 3s3. The average
number OF wage earuers fl 800 was SIS,
IN 1876. 1906. It Is now az least 500. The
p. value Of manufactured products IN 1850
! vas S5.ss7. so. in 1906. was 3 z2sls
Q The capital invested in manufacturing
D enterprises here IS Tar g.l@-~- than that
Of any city n Virginia save Richmond
The number OF wage earrers Is twice as
: great according 10 the last census report.
as that Of any city in Virginia, except
Richmond
Exports from the Port.
The following figures indicate The in
, por5ance OF Newport News as shipping
port: Year ended JunefSo ISs7. grain ex-
. ported, 11.002554 bushels. coal shipped
. from piers, L25l, 7C5 tons, value OF exports.
So sf7-745- Year ended June s.. lso7. gra5a
g exported. 15,754, 4S5 bushels: coal shipped
from piers, 3,255, rs tons; value OF exports.
81 u6.6s3-
With these great industries and ship
ping facilities, with q natural ha-5o-.
which never needs dredging and which Is
always open, even IN the coldest weather.
Il follows as coroIlary that the popula-
ton has rapidly grown. In $50. II was
$50 in 1850. 1s.ss5; in 1s02 24.1s2. IN 1896.
2S.72- Including Hampton, Old Point. and
Phoebus. We have in this immediate Vi
ci1ity q population Of more than 4e.030
The Banking facilities OF Newport News
are equal 10 all demands There has
never been but one failure here. and that
was trifing- In no emergency have the
banks failed 10 cash the checks Of their
customers on presentation The bank de-
posits, June 50, 1SsS, were $500. June 80
1875. S2.21.0Go-
The contract has just been let by the
board Of visitors for the buildings for the
state School for Deaf and Blind CoIored
Children. and work viii proceed Al once.
It Is believed that this institution VIII be
richly endowed and VIII be placed upon
I footing similar 10 that upon which the
Hampton Institute now stands
Other enterprises now II view are a
Z harbOr for small crafts. which VIII great
: y increase OUT trade with oystermen and
a fishermen and establish fish and oyster
!. industries. and a railroad 70 Yorktown.
= destined to form a link II new trunk
e line 10 this port
n The Chamber OF Commerce has recently
T been reorganized. and an active canvass
4 is being made for a membership OF 30
5 the entrance fee 10 be $50. This viii give
u the chamber ample funds with which 10
= carry on its work An expert secretary
3 VIII be employed and an aggressive cam
( paign for progress begun.
+ Newport News was never more alive
c than 1t Is to-day. and. by reason OF the
extensive operations in the shipya7d. Il
e has suffered less, perhaps than any town
7 in the State from the depression IN trade
:. ct large
> Its Local Institutions.
, Near to Newport News Is the famous
E Hampton Floral and Agricultural Instf-
; tute. which now has L2sI pupils. the cost
r Of maintenance being S294.c00 year.
b Just beyond this institution Is the Ma
= tional Soldiers Home. which expended
n last year in pensions and maintenance
e sS1S652
a Newport News is an ideal place OF resi-
: Gence- Situated on a high tabIeIand.
e overlooking James River and Hampton
= Roads, there is a long line OF water front,
4 beautifully adapted 70 residential pur-
u poses and the water tempers the climate
, in all seasons Our winters are never Sc
Z we're. and during the hot season q de-
lightful sea breeze blows day and night
I over the city We have an abundant SUD
ply Of pure. clear water; a complete drain
5 age system. gas. electric lights and power.
? and all the conveniences Of q modern
). city.
The public school system was recently
pronounced by the State board Of exam
> iners TO be one of the best IN the state.
: and there are excellent private schools and
;. colleges
e The population IS cosmopolitan. and
Il hence there IS less of provinciaIism and
g intolerance here than in some Of the older
= communities In this town a man IS free
L 10 express his sentiments ana vote his
2 honest convictions without fear OF being
@ banished or CstracfZed from r,oIfra -o-fofv-