The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-20

@. Grosyenor Dave, managing director
Of the Southern Commercial Congress,
predicts some such Importance, indus
trialiy and commercially. for Chesapeake
Bay as is seen on the Baltic Sea or upon
the great Mediterranean. He believes
that i'm the development Of this region
throughout It's extensive coast line and
through the cities growing on its tribu-
taries a vast inland area Of production,
and trade viii come forth which Will
probably wrest from the Hudson and the
Delaware the proud commercial suprem-
acy which they enjoy to-day.
Mr. Dave returned last week from Suf-
folk. Va, where he went TO address the
Business Mems Association OF that little
city. Il appears that the business men
Of that place. dissatisfied with former
achievement have decided 70 raise the
dues Of their organization from % cents
a month 10 50 a year, and VIII use the
proceeds to advertise local industries and
bring new business to the town. In his
address Mr. Dave spoke 20 the business
men Of Suffolk about the large develop
ment Of the Chesapeake region. OF which
Il forms a part, and urged them 10 build
the Industries OF their city as fast and as
large as possible. with a view TO the big
things coming for this favored region.
Would Hold a Convention.
Upon his return TO Washington. Mr..
Dave suggested to a Washington Herald
reporter the adusability Of calling to-
gether at the Capital. or some other point
convenient 10 all representatives Of all
the cities and towns Of the Chesapeake
region. TO discuss the possibilities Of In
dustrial and commercial advance. that all
might become informed Of what has been
done and Of what may reasonably be
expected I'D the years 10 come out Of
such meeting he thought might come
some common plan Of activity that would
greatly help the movement along. In
discussing the subject, Mr.. Dave said:
THE action Of Suffolk should be taken
seriously by every small and large town
that touches at any point the navigable
portions of the rivers and waterways that
reach the Atlantic Ocean between Capes
Charles and Henry. Here IS q little town
Of lo.o0o people that at one step places
itself beside cities OF large population IN
the Immediately available income Of its
commercial body
This is significant Of what win happen
in an increasing measure around Chesa-
peake Bay and its tributaries, for
glance At this remarkable body OF water
shows that its commercial development
has hardly begun. The shores OF the
whole bay. the mouth Of the Susque-
hanna. and the banks u the Pstuxent;
the Potomac. the Rappahannock. the
York the James. the Nansemond. the
Pocomoke the Nanticoke. the Choptank,
the Chester. and Of the SassafTas show
that here IS the greatest water indenta-
ton along the Atlantic coast The chart
Of the region shows that the present
commercial developments Of the Chess-
peake Bay are at it's extremes. Balti-
more. Norfolk, and nearby cities.
Nearest Mineral Deposits.
This great water gift has in it vast
number Of deep soundings near 20 main
land none of them yet laid under any
contributions whatever. a glance at a
stil more extensive map shows that this
water gift is nearest Of all 20 the rich
mineral resources in the mountains west
Of il and must ultimately come into
recognition as a vastly important inhu-
ence upon the commerce Of the Atlantic
coast
At present there are parts OF the Ches-
apeake Bay territory that are as remote
from everyday access and civilization as
they were in Revolutionary days. The
Increasing tendency 10 look toward the
business opportunities Of Southern States,
and the increasing tendency to look to-
ward ocean outlets, proved by the two
men Of vision IN recent years Hunting
ten. with the Chesapeake and Ohio. and
Rogers, with the Virginian-wilI sooner
or later lay this territory under proper
contribution to national greatness.
Il am inclined 10 believe that the cour-
.aCeous action Of Suffolk will prompt other
smaller towns to initiate it and thus lead
either slowly or rapidly 10 a united ef-
fort Of all commercial organizations at
all points around this remarkable body
of water. Such united action seems to be
indicated by the logic Of the situation,
for a campaign by all these towns draw
ing attention to the entire region and its
opportunities would strengthen all these
towns by the general publicity and add
just that much to the effect OF the in
dividual campaigns carried on.
1T isn't difficult to look forward to
great massing of population, agricultural
and urban, in the entire section affected
by Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
1t is the subconscious influence of this
great day coming that has awakened
Suffolk and will awaken others"
The unusually high price OF English
wheat with the prospect that countries
hitherto relied upon for additional sup
plies viii in the future have less wheat
for export, is causing farmers seriously
to consider blowing up some of their
grass land. It IS probable that the acre
age Of land under wheat in England will
be cops{dava F,14- -o5