Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-02-27
Rivers and harborS Bill
Covers Local Project
LITTLE DOUBT OF PASSAGE
House Already Has Adopted Measure
Which Contains Item for Survey Of
Newport News Greek TO Ascertain
Feasibility Of Small Boat Harhor.

Mayor Marquis Jones yesterday -
ceived letter from Congressman
William A. Jones stating that pro
vision for a government survey Oh
Newport News creek for the purpose
of determining the advisiDllHy Oh
building a small boat harbor N the
creek and the cost Of such Work II
contained in the rivers ana harbOrs
hill which was passed by congress
last week. The bin is pending before
the senate and Mayor Jones mas the
premise of Senator Thomas ). Mar
I'M 10 do what he can in support OF
the measure when ii comes up IN that
body.
MAYOR Jones has been working for
small boat harbor here for several
wears and sometime ago he asked
Congressman Jones II the Unlteu
states government could not build the
harbor for the city. Congressman
Jones promised to look into the mat
ter and when this session of congress
convened. the mayor again brought
the subject to his attention. The re-
suit was that congressman had
provision put In the rivers and mar
bors bill authorizing survey OF New
rort News creek by United States
srmy engineers.
Seek Federal Appropriation.
There Is little question that the
provision will be adopted by the sen
ate and after the survey Is complet-
ed and the report of the engineers Is
made the matter Of securing govern
ment appropriation for the building OF
the harbor will be taken up. Mayor
Iones hclds the view that In as much
as the constitution provides tDat con
2ress shall have the power to regu-
late commerce with foreign nations
and between the states. II is the duty
OF the government to see that the har-
Dor at this port is sufficiently safe
10 accommodate all vessels that would
come here from other states. The
only way that this can be done, In the
Judgment Of the mayor. is to build n
small boat harbor
Mayor Jones says that the govern
ment has appropriated money to make
similar improvements TO other har
bors on the Atlantic coast ana he be-
ileves that the money for harbor
here will be forthcoming from the
next congress.
In Hands OF Chamber Now.
Immediately after receiving the let
Ter from Congressman Jones, the
mayor sent n copy OF 1t to President
w. Lee Powell. Of the Chamber OF
Commerce, with the request that the
chamber to take the matter up at
once and make all arrangements for
the reception of the government en-
gineers when they come to make the
survey and to Impress upon them the
l,racticabllty and need of the har-
Dor.
President Powell said yesterday af
ternoon that he will bring the matter
TO the attention of the chamber at
its next meeting and have a commit
tee appointed to receive the engineers
and show them every courtesy and
attention possible during their stay
here lie also VIII urge the chamber
10 ask the city council 10 appoint a
committee to work with the commit
tee OF the chamber.
Copies Of the Letters.
Following Is a copy Of the letter
which the mayor received from Mr..
Jones and copy of the mayors letter
60 President Powell:
Washington. ID c. Feb. 81. 1910
Hon. Marquis Jones,
Newport News, Va
Dear Maryus:-
Il have your letter Of the Esd. IN
slant, in regard 10 the survey for
Newport News creek. the order for
which you requested me 10 secure.
i leg TO inform you tina; was
fortunate enough TO have this order
incorpc. ated in the river and haTbor
bill. which passed The House OF Rep
resentativts scme DAYS ago
Sincerely your friend.
(Signed) w 4. JONES