The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-19
ASKS FOR $4,000
TO REPAIR GATES
Committee on James River. I'M
provement Recommends Ad-
ditional Appropriation.
TO HAVE RIVER CONFERENCE
United States Engineers Invited
to Join Committee in In
spection OF Harbor.

The Council Committee on Improve
ment OF James River addressed itself
vigorously to its most pressing prob
lem yesterday. by recommending to
the Council an appropriation OF S.
900 to supplement the $1,000 already
appropriated, for the purpose Of piac-
ing in thorough repair the lock gates
OF the newly acquired City Dock. 1t
was found that the original amount
was totally inadequate.
For more than a year the dock has
been out OF commission because OF the
defective state OF one of the outer
gates. The original Appropriation was
intended for its repair, but upon ex-
animation il was found that the inner
gates were likewise in bad repair ana
unsafe. The $4,000 appropriation re-
commended yesterday, 1t Is expected
will suffice for all Of the most pressing
repairs.
For HarbOr Improvement.
The committee voted also to invite
a conference of the United States dts
trict engineer, at Norfolk. and the local
government engineer. Samuel n,
Young, in charge Of the port OF Rich
mond, to Join the members OF the
committees in an inspection OF the
harbor with the purpose OF mapping
out a plan for its early improvement.
The immediate cause Of the conference
is a group of rock projections when
have been discovered opposite the city
wharf Immediately below Gillte's Creek.
The rocks. il is reported. are DAN
serously near the surface OF the river
and threaten the safety OF shipping
The conference which will be held al
the earliest date convenient to the
government engineers. will probably
work out comprehensive plan OF
harbor improvement the immediate
concern OF which will be the removal
Of the rock distractions mentioned
Committee II Handicapped.
Councilman George W. Rogers who
is chairman Of the James River I'M
provement Committee, stated that IL
was the earnest purpose OF the COM
mittee TO put the City Dock and wharf
In the best repair possible, but that
the task was difficult because Of the
limited funds placed at its disposal.
II was his purpose. he said, to direct
the attention If the Council from time
TO time to the need OF additional ap-
propriations and in this manner secure
the needed support.
The condition Of the City Dock was
made the subject Of complaint by local
shippers last month. when a number
Of these sent a petition to the Cham
Der of Commerce directing attention to
the bad repair Of the inner gates and
asking for relief from a condition OF
affairs which was seriously injurinS
the commercial interests Of the city.
The petition set forth among other
things that the condition Of the dock
was subjecting the shipping interests
to great loss and Inconvenience. A
sudden freshet, it was pointed out.
would subject II to serious danger OF
partial destruction.
Need $4,000 for Work.
The defective condition of the dock
was known when the city acquired IT
at cost Of $4,000. At the time OF
the purchase City Engineer Boiling
reported TO the Finance Committee
that $4,000 would be required for new
gates, repointing stone work. dredg-
ing, removal Of construction Of the
old Trigg Works and other repairs
With the $4,000 appropriation recon-
mended yesterday, total of $4,000
will be available for immediate repairs
to the gates. This sum, it is expected
will suffice for this purpose, but the
larger sum named by City Engineer
Boiling will be needed before the water
properties OF the city are in first-class
repair.