Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-08-25
CHAMBER JOINS CAMPAIGN
FOR PLATE PLANT
Appoints Committee to Direct Move
ment to Bring Federal Enter
prise Here.
JOHN KERR BRANCH. CHAIRMAN
Mass of Material Showing Rail and
Water Advantages of Richmond
Already Has Been Prepared, and
Work Will Continue.

In furtherance OF plans begun eight
or nine months ago, the board of di-
rectors OF the Chamber of Commerce
at n special meeting yesterday after
noon appointed steering committee
TO take charge of the fight to bring
to Richmond the Sll.O00.O00 Federal
nrmor plant authorized by Congress
sional appropriation.
The committee consists OF John Kerr
Branch. Chairmau. 5. r. Morgan, T.
D. Williams, J. 7. Anderson. Oliver j.
Sands. W. r. Reed, Herbert w. Jack
son. r. NJ. Darlington, John c. Easlcy.
S. Dabncy Crcnshaw and II. l.. Cabell.
This committee is authorized to act
as II deems best, both locally and in
Washington. 1t has already prepared
mass Of Information concerning the
advantages to be secured in Richmond
If the plan; Is located here, and this
data VIII nc increased by continued
investigation.
The committee. in its membership.
is considered to he exceptionally
strong. The selection of MIR Branch as
chairman, il was said shows that
everything possible will be done TO
cause the arlnor plant TO be con-
structed here If his untiring and sue
cessful effort to bring the Federal re-
serve bank 70 Richmond he taken as
an indication. s. T. Morgan and F.
y. Williams, who have been spokcs-
men before the Congressional COM
nittec on Rivers and Harhors for an
nuHl appropriations for the improve
ment of James River will probably
DO among the chief spokesman in be-
half of the present movement
CHAMBER WAS PROMPT
TO begin CAMPAIGN
The Chamber of Commerce began -
campaign when the matter of buiIu-
Ing government-owued arinOr plant
was first preached. and before il had
been brought UP in the halls of Con-
gress. The Virginia delegation was
urged at that time to be on the alert
for Richmond interests. and it conf
IDENTIFY expected that the seed sown
VIII grow and bear fruit The cham
brr's first steps were not made public
at the time because II was feared that
premature publicity would have caused
other localities or sections of the coun-
try to begin likewise an active cam
paisn for securing the, armor plate
factory.
The Virginia Delegation in Congress
has already had called to It's attcn-
ton the fact that Richmond affords
exceptional railroad and water trans
~ be had from isichmond TO the At
lanuc Coast, and six trunk lines enter
the city. In addition, the proposed
site is far enough from the coast to
mako comparatively easy methods Of
safeguarding the plant in case of at
tempted invasion.
Business Manager W. r Dahncy re-
called that the late Colonel Cutshaw,
when he wac City Engineer. suggest
cd that canal should be out through,
the piece Of land lying on the south
Side OF the river between the two
bends. from point near Mayo's Bridge
TO a point in the river about n mile
below Fulton. This canal. 1t is said
would not only offer n quick outlet
for water in time OF frcshets, but
could be used for wharrs and a har-
Dor for loading and unloading yes
sells.