The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-09-14
Record Time Made by Special
Train Carrying Richmond
Delegation
BRIEF IS PRESENTED
BY JOHN KERR BRANCH
Richmond Men Believe Other
Virginia Cities May With
draw When Strength of
Claim Is Realized

Richmond had the right of way
from Elba Station TO the Navy De-
partment yesterday, and a record was
made
From the minute the party Of
boosters from Richmond left the sta
ton little after s clock, until they
landed before Secretary Daniels, there
was nothing in the way. And there
was very little in the way then.
Delegations from Indiana, New
York, Pennsylvania, Alabama and
other more or less important States.
were on hand
The occasion of all this display was
the opening of the bids for the pro-
posed S11,0o0,000 armor plate plan.
which the government is to build.
Every section of the country wants
the plant. This is not unnatural for
every section of the country wants
everything that may rebound to the
particular interests of that section.
Richmond struck Washington
strong. 1t went up on special train,
in charge of Colonel Warren p. Tay-
Tor. 1t made record time in getting
to Washington. making the 1T miles
in two hours and two minutes.
After the Richmond delegation
reached the station. it took them ten
minutes to get to the Hotel Willard.
lotage of John Kerr Branch. about
three minutes TO reach the Navy De-
partment
MFR. Branch Reads Brief.
After the delegation reached that
department, due to the good offices of
Senators Martin and Swanson and
Congressman Montague. Secretary
Daniels received them. and very re-
spectfully heard the remarks of Mr..
Branch. who read the brief and in
| jected some words in doing so. MIR.
S. T. Morgan followed Mr.. Branch !
the presentation of the brief.
| While the Richmond delegation was
| presenting its claims. other delega-S
tons from various points, incluufnk
back ground
1t was said by Mr.. Branch. Mr..
Coleman Workman, and others in the
party that there would hardly be any
opposition from the various towns in
Virginia, when II was shown that
Richmond had presented the best
claim of all those which had preceded.
including the great cities of the East
and the South.
The Richmond delegation left Elba
Station little after O'Clock in
special train provided by the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Company A record run to
Washington had been planned. Pick
ed men and equipment was made for
the run. And the record run was
made. ~
1t took the train two hours and two
minutes to reach Washington from
Richmond. Those who pulled off this
feat were: Engineer J. A. Hulcher,
Fireman G. L. Melton. Conductor S.
T. Baker. Brakeman w. H. Williams
son. Flagman J. A. Baughan; w. T.
Bryant. road foreman of engineers:
f. T. Gray. Warren P. Taylor and
w. NJ. Taylor.
Senator Martin Leader.
| Leading the delegation from Rich
mond was Senator Martin. who came
into town for the purpose of going
| with the Richmond delegation He
added much to the presence of the
committee. and the committee was
! further added to by Representative
Montague and Senator Swanson.
| Senator Swanson expressed himself
as unalterab bly, committed to Rich
mond, as did Congressman Montague.
Senator Martin said he was neutral.
as between Scottsville and Richmond.
II Scottsville could not get the plant,
he would rather see Richmond get it.
| The chances are that Richmond has
better chances than any other place
| in the country. Mr.. Branch and the
members of the committee represent
ing every element of progressive Rich
mond, feel that this city will be se-
lected as the location for the armor
/ plate plant
| President White. Of the Richmond.
| Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
Company, could not go on the record
breaking trip. due to an important APP
| pointment. although he sent word to
the delegation through Colonel War
rem Taylor that he would do all
he could for the bringing of the plant
| to Richmond.