The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-12
INDUSTRY IS
Conn.,, TO RICHMOND
Contracts Awarded BY Old Dominion
Nail and Iron Works For Elec.
trio Furnace Steel Plant,
TO BEGIN OPERATION JAN.
Capacity OF Plant VIII Be Greater
Than That of Any Similar Estab-
1ishment In United States-Both
High and Low Grade Steel Product.

The largest electrical steel plant in
the United Statessis to be established
here witha the next few months,
contracts having been let by the Old
Dominion Nail and Iron Works for
the construction of the necessary
buildings and installation of machin-
ery and equipment on Belle Isle.
Announcement of tho award of the
contracts was made yesterday after
noon by Vice President Thomas S.
wheelwright, who. with his associates,
for months has been studying condi-
tions in the steel industry, inspecting
the electrical steel plants already in
operation and considering the advis-
ability Of establishing such a plant at
Richmond. The preliminary study and
work has proved satisfactory and the
determination has been reached to
put the biggest plant OF It's Kind IN
the country on Belle Isle.
The new industrial plant, giving
employment to large force of skilled
labor, will be operatedb the Old
Dominion Nail and Iron Works. in ad-
dition to Its present great plant.
HOOm FOR ot1SF NOIARFDS
There will remain on Belle Isle. even
after the new plant has begun ope-
rations, ample space for the establish
INK OF other enterprises. and the pre-
dtction is made that the day is not
far distant when the island in the
James between Richmond and the
Southside, will be a scene Of the most
busting activity.
There Is much power in the James
which has never been utilized-al-
most limitless supply---and the ioca-
ton OF Belle Isle Ia such that the
adaptation OF this power 70 industrial
esta blishments thereon may have
ost easy access to II. The officers
Of the Old Dominion Nail and Iron
Works. one Of the largest enterprises
OF it's kind in the country, are: Frank
J. Gould president; Thomas ).
wheeiwright, vice-presi<ent and gen
eraI manager. and II. r. Wayt, sec
setary-treasurer.
Work on Plant Begun
workmen have already begun con-
struction OF the buildings to be occu-
pied by the new plant, and 1t is ex-
peeted that the electric furnaces will
have been Installed and in operation
by frs, of the year. The initial In
stallation Of electric furnaces Will
have capacity Of forty tons day.
and additional furnaces Will be placed
in the plant as the demand for the
product increases All the employees
with the exception Of the experts.
who will be brought from other
points. viii! be selected from among
the Richmond people.
The capacity of the plant will he
larger from the beginning than is that
of any similar existing plant aad as
the Southeast and the middle South
is splendid field the Richmond
plant will grow rapidly.
The new plant will perform a dual
function. as II Will offer market for
old scrap iron as well as supply the
local demand for steel bars and bill
lets which Ia large and steadily grow
ing.
Electric Furnace Successful
The electric furnace steel plants
have been demonstrated To he very
successful and the new type IS shown
-ru-syr an advance the old--The
electric furnace will produce The very
highest grade of ell from old scrap,
/, is possible. also, to turn out from
the electric furnaces the low carbon
steels for ordinary commercial pur-
poses,
The establishment OF the steel plant
on Belle Isle, II Is understood, Will
mean the coming to Richmond of
number Of large manufacturing con-
Germs. These will probably he located
on Belle Isle. where there is abund-
ance OF room and the convenience or
having all the power wanted right at
hand. Excellent railroad facilities
ere also offered. the southern Railway
having n side track on the island.
The Old Dominion Iron and Nail
Works recently established a large
power plant on Belle Isle for the gem
Grating OF electric power for its own
works and for any additional factories
tina. may desire TO locate there.
The city ~ Richmond now has un-
der advisement the erection of
bridge from Cowardin Avenue to
Laurel Street that will cross Belle
Isle nj grade and furnish convenient
access to the island by the army of