Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-08
dustrial plants of many kinds just

naturally spring up. he argued
I'VE thank Senator Martin for HIS
interest in tho matter" he said. land
we agree with him that II the govern
ment Is going to continue the ridicu
lousy inadequate appropriations for
James River tho work might as we'll
! he abandoned. The city of Richmond
collects every year more than $1,000
ooo at It's custom house for the gov
! ernment. for which We get back soma
thing like s7S,000.".
| SEES GREAT FUTURE sea-
WITH PROPER FACILITIES
John c. Freeman. the next speaker.
said: Tho question OF Transportation
usuaiN determines whether Il city's
streets shall hum with traffic or Ie
buried in long grass" He read from
statistics to show that Richmond's in
dustrial and commercial growth has
been steady and rapid. But with bet
ter water facilities for shining" he
added. the city's growth would bo
much more rapid. We know that only
thirty-nine one-hundredths of one per
cent OF the money the Government has
spent upon waterways has been spent
on James River. Richmond is now be-
coming one Of the most important dis
t''utlnE points in the United States
IL VIII be great city in the very near
future II we can get proper water
transportation"
=. Dabney Crenshaw. speaking along
the same lines. said that what makes
great water-going tonnage is solid
cargo tonnage. The breaking of bulk
cargo Mt Norfolk and shipping by rail
to Richmond is what this city IL sur
fering from. he pointed out. James A.
Moncure spoke in the same vein.
Senator Martin again took the floor
ana In his second speech declared his
intention to fight to the finish for the
needed appropriation. He aroused the
business men to the highest pitch Of
enthusiasm.
Chairman Reed introduced Colonel
Jervey. one of the government enei
neers In charge of James River work
who began with the jooular remark
that he felt himself in what the Chris
iian Scientists would call hostile at
mos phere.
he protested that his attitude was
not clearly understood; that he was
really IN favor of reasonable i'm
provements for James River" He ex-
plained mat the recommendations Of
the engineers were based upon facts
RIVER TONNAGE DECREASED
IN PAST YEAR, HE SAYS
want to assure you" he said.
that there is absolutely no intention
OF abandoning the improvements The
engineers made no recommendation
for a modification or abandonment of
the James River work, as has been err
Ioneously reported in news dispatches
from Washington recently"
Colonel Jervey said he agreed with
senator Martin that the appropriations
IN recent years have not been in fair
proportion 10 the extent of the pro-
]ect' Statistics show" he said, that
tonnage in the river has decreased I'm
the last year. l do not believe that
greater depth of channel will Of it
self bring greater traffic. Then. too,
Richmond has advantageous freight
rates. and there is very little combe-
luton between rail- and water traffic
Il want TO assure you, too" he said
that l am ready in my official capa-
city TO do anything that is fair and
reasonable for Richmond" and, alIud-
ing TO tho fact that he is native
Ntrginan. he concluded with the quo
tation from the Book ,ros Ruth, be
cause this is my country and my peo-
pie" w. -'i'''
Colonel Jerveys remarks stirred an
other gale OF applause
Congressman Montague. who was
called unon by the chairman, declined
TO speak, but promised his hearty sup
port He said that the statistics ask
ed for by Senator Martin would facili-
tate the work of the Senators and
himself
Senator Swanson, hainr called upon
said he would direct his remarks to
the government engineers
All we ask the engineers TO do"
he said. is make our task easy We
ask YOU To recommend an appropria-
t!on of $500, 600 OF 100000 year. Help
us bring the ships TO Richmond Help
us put Richmond on fair competi-
tive basis with other cities. We mere
~ ask YOU engineers 10 treat MS right
and you will see a city that YOU will
feel proud of having aided"
Colonel Jervey reiterated his assur-
ances, making the stronger assertion
that ii Congress decided 10 continue
the James River Improvement work
he would, SO long as he remained In
charge, send in estimates that will as
sure the completion OF the s3,0n0. 900
project in 4 reasonable time.
LUNCHEON AT
WEsTMORELAND CLUB
At o'clock Business Manager Dab
ney aud Chairman Reed escorted SEN
ators MARTIN ana swanson, Congress- |
man Montague and the business men
TO the Westmoreland club, where A
luncheon was given Mayor George
.ainsl!c city Engineer Eoiline and
Others spoke at the luncheon urging
the importance of the TWENTY-FIVE foot
channel 10 the business interests and
commercial standing of Richmond
Attending the conference at the
hamber Of Commerce and the lunch
con AT the club were the following.
Hugh Antrim, John X Branch. w
r. ir"addus, a NJ Cannon, q. G. Dula,
Julien II, HUI, H. w. Jackson, l. !.