The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-12

! CluntQ III pFGviouS SeatSipNhtS ~
during tho temporary closing Of the
dock through the disablement Ut the
lock gates.
The dock question is still unset
tiled, and tho dock mas not yet been
REPAIRED so as to ADMIT OF Its use,
although the Cooperation Commis-
tsfon refused to aiIew II tor b closed.
Consideration has been given to the
iauesuon ~ to whether it 10 not de-
Isirabic for the city to acquire the
dock in order to positively secure
land maintain effective and efficient
shipping facilities which the dock
Ialone can give. There ID no Ques-
ton a. to the desir~biuty Of Sc
Touring this dock. provided It can be
done at u reasonable price. With
ttha locks OF the dock enlarged. and
the dock put In suitable shape. IT
would mean that the Old Dominion
steamers and other vessels could
land their merchandise in the heart
of the business districts of our city.
thus saving the long hauls and ex-
fpensiye handling Of merchandise,
which now result In a Very serious
tax upon our business community.
Further efforts in order TO bring
about \ satisfactory conclusion in re-
gard to the dock are strongly to be
commended.
cures the dock or not. It 10 desir-
tat1,e that steps be taken looking to
the repeal OF the act passed by the
General Assembly. In virtue OF which
the present owners attempted to
iclose the dock; and also, II necessary.
THAT further legislation be asked Tor
Ito compel the owners Of the prop
lerty to operate 1t efficiently AZ q har-
Dor for tho commerce OF the port
The James river committee has
been actively associated with all
movements looking to the deepening
and widening Of James river and se-
curing Of satisfactory appropriations
from Congress for that purpose, and
has also affiliated with and taken an
active part in the Rivers and Harbors
Congress and the Atlantic Deeper.
Waterways Association.
Committee ON Municipal Affairs.
The committee on municipal Affairs
has been quite active in municipal
matters in which the Chamber was
interested. Among the principal mat
tiers in which 1t hAs acted are.
1t has appeared before the finance
committee in support OF an appro-
prtation Of 5000 fer improvement Of
highways entering Richmond, within
ten miles OF the city limits. The a.
nance COMMITTEES recommended the
appropriation.
This committee also appeared be-
fore the grounds and butldtngs COM
mittes In support of an ordinance to
regulate the Fairgrounds The dis
i position made by the Council commit
tee was satisfactory.
The secretary Of this committee ap-
peared before the Council commit
tee In several matters Of which the
board or directors approval, and ON
frequent occasions looked after many
subjects over which tho Council OF
Richmond had control. not inyoty-
ing any question Of policy. but fur
Their facilitating Industrial and COM
mercaal operations In .our city.
Tho most remarkable accomplish
ment. however. in municipal Affairs,
In which the Chamber took = most
4 active and leading part. was In tho
redistricting Of the city into four
wards. and the new form OF city gov
II eminent. No more important action.
lacking to the future welfare and
pro sperity OF our city. has taken
pla.s in the last decade. than the
action uf the City Council in adopt
ing the ordinance and resolutions
recommended by the special joint
committee on form Of government,
reducing ths number Of wards tn the
city from eight TO four, and CREATING
an administrative board. to assume
administrative functions which here
tofore have been performed by tho
City Council The reduction Of the
| warda woSs into effect without any