The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-24
PROMOTERS Of NEW
SH|PYARD Straight
Newport News Business Men Visit
New York and Find Men Acted
In Good Faith.

Newport News, Va, Dee 23.-The
men, composed OF A. l.. Powell and j.
A. Massie have returned from New
York, where they went a few days
ago to investigate the General Erect
had for several weeks been negotiating
with the City Council for site for
"A shpyard here. Recently two rep
resentatiees Of the COMPANY were ar
rested in Baltimore on charge Of
fraud, hut the charge seems to have
been entirely groundless, the outcome
Of an investors timidity sud tho zeal
Of &.detective.
The Newport News business men
satisfied themselves of The bona tides
"f the company and urges that IT be
gwen an opportunity.
Ia q very clearly draw report they
tell Of the explanations given of the
baltimore incident. SHOW Bng that It
Tailed absolutely with information
from other sources. They also show
how it came about thai Industrial
Agent Case of Newport News figured
tnrocently as AN official Of the pro-
noting company.
The report closes with the follow
ing:
With reference to the Continental
Shipbuilding and Drydoea Company,
We are informed that this company
has not yet been Incorporated, but
that it is now represented by a syn
dicate. principally OF brokers, VIII
have agreed to underwrite this COM
Yr.ttE-'g stack What this
can he successfully done We of course,
do not know. and have no way of
finding out We were informed that
The shipbuilding company would he
incorporated when a site for n ship
yard has been finally acquired, and
that then its stock will he put upon
tn" market
Case Made an Officer
~ pom the organization nj the Cen
eral Erecting and Improvement Com
pany. We find that Mr.. II Case was
made vice president and director
ana given three shares Of stock of
the par value of ten dollars each, but
we were informed that this was with
out his knowledge or consent and that
later he refused the office aud return
I'D the stock.
We were Informed by the deputy
states attorney that Mr.. Case visited
Baltimore while Mr.. Frey and Mr.
Hin We're under arrest in their be-
half. and made certain statements to
the deputy states attorney concerning
the status of the contract between The
city and the company they represent
ed The statements as related To rs
by the deputy States attorney were
absolutely correct
After ascertaining the above facts
and realizing that the city is not at
this time contributing either money
cr property, and has nothing tn lose
beyond six months option upon the
vacant land, we are of the opinion
that by no possibility can the city
suffer any harm, while 1t might great
~ rebound to its benefit to com plete
the contract already passed the Com
mon Council The promotion OF this
enterprise for Newport News would
seem 10 have been tnaugurated en-
tirelv by Mr. Case and dependent upon
Tor its successful prosecution upon his
eXertion and the business relations
brought about by him. We believe
our Investigation has revealed that IN
this Mr.. Case has dea fairly with the
city had its interest at heart and
used his best endeavor TO secure this
enterprise.
"A. +. POWELL,
j. e. WARREN
Committee,
u. A. MASSIE,
CITY Attorney.
Newport News, Va. Dec. %, 1918.