The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-06-27
UNCLE SAM IS NOW
REPLEA|sH|Ae ARSEMALs
DUPONT Works WIN Soon Have Mill
Eon-Pound Daily Gun Cotton
Capacity.
THOUSANDS ARE EMPLOYED
Miracle of Twentieth Century in
City Building Is Based on Need OF
Nation for Adequate Supply OF De-
fensive Munitions.

DUPONT City, June 26.--That the
United States government is adding to
its stores of guncotton at the rate
of $4,000 pounds day through the
big munitions plant now running in
full blast at this place is a secret
that has finally leaked out between
here and Washington. Within a short
time, five further units will be added
to the four already in operation at
the plant, and with these completed,
the Governments stores of guncotton
will be increased at the rate of 725,-
600 pounds a day
The total present capacity of the
plant is 100000 pounds a day, and
with the five additional plant units
the output will be increased to L.
100000 pounds daily. OF this total, II
is understood that the United States
Government is taking three-fourths.
The remaining quarter output Is pre-
sumablv going to the European allies
Whether the United States has in
tervention in Mexico in mind. or
whether it is preparing for possible
trouble is not known here. but the
impression Is that in case Intervention
in Mexico occurs, the Government
will prepare under the guise of that
movement for whatever may threaten
In the European situation.
There has been a belief from the
beginning that the Enlistment by
the DuPonts Of $4,000. 900 powder
plant in the South was done with the
encouragement of the Washington
Government. in pursuance of the
stragetic policy of having munition
souces at various points in case this
country attacked. Whatever the rea-
sons. it has become plain that Virginia
hau Of he 10 ysra 70 r..
tories of this kind In the world. Ad-
ditional construction work in con-
nection with the plant to occupy TWO
years in building is mapped out. with
a small army of men to be kept
continually at work.
Now Employ Thirteen Thousand.
In connection with the four COM
pleted units and the construction
work, 1900 men are now employed.
This force is being Increased at the
rate OF from 500 to 1000 a week,
and by the end of the year it is ex-
pected that rs, 900 or more men will
be employed in the plant A part or
this force will be discontinued when
construction is completed, but work
ing force of about $1,000 men Is ex-
pected to be kept in practically con-
tinuous employment for many years.
The present payroll is close to 81 .000,-
900 a month.
To take care of the needs of this
horde OF employees. 5000 people have
located on the slope fronting the
plant Three thriving communities
have grown up. The old settlement
of City Point, r.ade historic during
the War Between the States, has
within the last few months taken on
the aspects of a big municipality.
Hopewell, a town less than six weeks
old ia now a CITY with small lots
selling at 81 00o. Six weeks age 1t
was under cultivation as farming land.
DUPONT City which has a pretentious
location in the rolling slopes above
the munitions plant appears destined
to be the residence and high class
business section of the new commu-
nifty.
Much Dirt Changing Hands.
Three or -four realty companies
have secured small tracts of land and
have approximated 100000 with no
apparent abatement of the demand.
Manv of the buyers are shrewd real
estate men from all over the country.
who make a practice of specializing IN
newly developed communities. and
who apparently see in the new Vir-
ginia settlement the foundation of a
big and permanent city.
The lac kof banking facilities has
been a handicap in handling the big
payroll, but this will be remedied be-
fore the first of July. new bank.
financed by group of prominent
men from Washington and New York,
Is now being constructed at Hope
well. and two others are planned for
the vicinity.
An application for TN electric rail-
way franchise from City Point into
Petersburg Is now pending before the
City Council of Petersburg. This line.
when built. will furnish much needed
facility, as most of the passenger SER
vice between Petersburg and the new
settlement is now carried by string
of 1925 automobiles, over dusty ten
mile trip,