The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-03
PROTEST AGAINST
CL05|NG DOCK
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. HEARTH
LY APPROVES MAINTENANCE
OF OLD HARBoR.
SHOULD BUY
COAL DEALERS TESTIFY THAT 1T
WOULD INCREASE COST of
COAL TO CLOSE THE
WATER WAY.
SHOULD BUY

Continuing it's protect against the
closing at the Richmond Dock. Judge
George l.. Christian. representing the
Chamber of. Commerce. continued his
examination of Secretary Dunlop. who
was the first wifness called in the now
celebrated case Before the State Cor
poration Commission.
The witness testified that the Cham
Der of Commerce was thoroughly OPP
posed to the closing of the dock and
had advocated the purchase of the
property by the City of Richmond.
In answer to questions by Judge
Christian, Mr.. Dunlop stated that he
did not know OF any other city in the
State, where there was a lock SINH
lar to the one in Richmond. He also
said he did not think any progressive
city would allow a dock at this eharac-
ter to be closed up.
Mr.. T.. M. Darlington first vice. presi7
dent at the Chamber of Commerce. was
the next witness, his testimony being to
emphasize that of Secretary Dunlop
that the Chamber was strongly opposed
to the closing of the dock.
Judge Christian stated that he could
introduce many witness from the
Chamber of Commerce to show thc
49, Rtfttt VI ttAoA VI NhNf'
against closing the dock. but that he
would not take III the time of the
commission. If the cour was satisfied
on this point.
Judge Prentis said the court would
not commit itself on that point.
At this point, Judge Christian gave
way TO Judge Crump to introduce a
witness, who desirep to cave the city
on business. and whose testimony was
regarded az important.
$. A. Ellerson. of the coal firm, of
s. A. Ellerson/& Co, was called. He
testified as 10 the great advantages
his company derived from the use at
the dock and said about 100. zoo tons of
hard coap was brought into the lock.
Mr.. Ellerson emphasized the state
ment that In his opinion the fact
that the dock was used, kept the price
OF hard coal down. The obolishing of
the dock would be very disastrous to
his business. said Mr.. Ellerson. He also
produced figures to show the great
benefit derived by users Of coal on
account of having the dock facilities.
Legislators We're Unthoughtfuf.
In the afternoon session of court
Thursday several members OF the last
legislature were introduced as wit
nesses in an effort to ascertain Just
how and why the bill vas passed.
Speaker Byrd. of the House OF Dele
gates, who is also counse tor the
bondhoiders in the effort to have the
dock closed. frankly admitted that all
the Legislators had voted for the bill
under a Misrepresentation and added
thai the bin speaks for itself.
Senator 4. c. Folkes asserted that
Senator j. b. Watkins, of Chesterfield.
had Did him il was intended by this
bill to close the section between the
Southern Railway Station and Daven-
port d Morris" which is the un-
used portion. The Richmond legisla-
tor said he never suspected so guile
less a layman" as MIR. Bradley of
pushing through IA bill with such u
meaning,
Captain John A, Curtis stated en-
phaticaiiy h MIR. Bradley. who was
engaged in working up the case. re-
presented to him hat it was the in
.tention of closing up only the unusual
part of the dock between Thirteenth
and Seventeenth streets
ON Tuesday Mr.. Bradley testified
that ne had fully explained the intent
of the measure 10 Captain Curtis and
that he "a never suggested to any
one that only the unused part was
affected.
Delegate a1'trockfnorton t~stld not
remember very distinctly anything
about the measure, but was sure tina
he did not think of the Richmond
dock in connection with the bill.
1t was apparently the trend of the
testimony to put the entire credit
of everything accomplished on Mr..
Bradley. who Judge Is. r. Crump re-
ferred to as the "amiabIe. discreet,
far-seeing MIR. Bradley, who has con-
fnnrafinn Com m mission ~
ferrrd this power on"tffe state Cor
1t is presumed from testimony adj
duced from Secretary Dunlop. of the
Chamber of Commerce. that there is
no other similar dock in the State the
lawyers will endeavor to prove that
the sole purpose of the bill was to
ecure the closing of the Richmond
dock