The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-04-03

, sources 10 handle the business OF the
district.
Z. The wishe. .nd views OF those en-
gagged III banking and comm cree in tho
district outlined as to the location OF
their regional bank
In presenting our case we shall be
Compelled TO state facts and figures
which we know to be within the
knowledge of the COMMITTEES. and with
which by now We fear they may be
surfcited. We desire to bring these
| iacts together and present them in
such form and manner as will serve
Tor convenient reference, and TO make
! more clear their relations to each other
and their bearing upon our position.
Addressing ourselves to these facts
| in their order:
i.-Ihe Unsurpassed Advantage Of
itichniond I'm Geographical Position.
practically and effectively on the At
'antic Scaboard, about midway of tho
ehtire coast, reaping the greatest ad.
vantage OF the favoring curve; oppo-
site the gap in the Appalachian Noun
tains, giving the shortest, easiest and
quickest communication between tho
coast and the great centres of the
Middle West: within one hour and a
nair or the greatest OF Atlantic har-
bors. plans being now under way to
! make 1t the greatest naval base; in
quick communication by rail and water
with all other parts of the coast and
easily accessible to the ocean COM
merce OF the world. Rear Admiral
stanford has just made the followinr
report on this harhor:
The most frequent mobiliza tons OF
the fest are in Hampton Roads. and
large ships ordinarily assigned to other
yards must pass this point proceeding
| TO and from the Gulf to the West
indies In view OF this central loca-
| ton and the uso OF Hampton Roads
as base OF operations, there is great
err possibility OF unforeseen repairs be-
ing required for vessels than at any
other coast point"
Richmonds three north and souti,
trunk iines-the Atlantic Coast Line,
the Scahoard Air Line and the South
ern Raiiway--and we may be pardoned
for reminding the committee that the
genius, brains and energies OF Rich
mond men were very prominent in tho
development OF the last two and are
prominent in the management of the
first
Two of the most most important ea.t
and west trunk llncs--the Chesapeaka
and Ohio and the Norfolk and Western
connect Richmond with the finest coal
area In the world and the greatest
natural producing area on this Con-
unent. while into Norfolk, within two
hours and a half travel from Rich
mond. run tho Nirginian Railway from,
tho West and the Norfolk and South
ern from the South.
All or which Is we'll known to you.
but necessary to be stated for the loRA
zeal bearing of our argument
We wish to impress upon the COM
mitteo the natural advantages OF the
territory surrounding Hampton Roads,
! because 1t is generally regarded as in
evitable that the heaviest population
of the State will DO divided between
Richmond ana that territory. Mr.. O.
t. Austin. for fifteen years Chief OF the
bureau of Statistics Of the Department.
OF Commerce. In report on the zone
which We have mapped out. which re-
port tuiiy confirms our own argument
ana position and accompanies thia
brief. refers to tho possibilities of tho
great harbor at Hampton Roads be-
| coming the natural gateway for tho
Mississippi Valley, with Its enormous
production for foreign markets and
consumption of foreign merchandise -
He also states that the officers OF the
War Department in charge 90 the los
river and harbor works on the water
frontage from the upper Potomac to
inc western coast OF Florida, report
the value OF the water borne freight
traffic AT these places in 1912 at tina
enormous SUM OF s1.6S0, 00O,oe about
Roads"
We believe that this region must
and Will have an economic develop
"eHI "hicn VIII far surpass any equal
area In the Atlantic States all OF
which has Il practical and most intf-
mate bearing npon Richmond as tho
location OF \ Federal reserve bank for
the South Atlantic States.
Reverting to Richmond's railroad Ia
cilities. they place her within eighteen
hours OF all the Important cities witf1-a
In the district defined. with the excep-
ton OF part OF tive most southern ter
'ritory, and reference !s made to the
map and timetable accompanying.
She Is. therefore. In q position to shin !
with tho greatest promptness and un- 4