Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-04-29
PROSPERITY AHEAD FOR
HAMPTON ROADS TOWNS
Thousands OF Men Put to Work on
Maryland and Other Govern
mental Improvements.
UNCLE SAM AFTER MORE LAND

UNCLE SAM AFTER MORE LAND
jamestown Exposition Site to Become
Great Naval Base - Millions OF
Dollars Being ENpended-Various
Kinds OF Industries to Follow.
NORFOLK. VA, April 2S.-A vast
deal of money. many millions perhaps.
will be expended in Norfolk and
vicinity in connection with the great
naval work already planned by the
United States government along these
waters. These governmental invest
ments will provide employment for a
great army of men, running up into
the thousands during the construction
period. and permanent employment for
other thousands OF skilled mechanics
and laborers we'll as hundreds OF
professional men and executives when
the various plants and improvements
shall be completed.
In addition to extensive improve
ments already announced to be paid
out OF appropriations now available,
Mr.. Daniels. the Secretary of the Navy,
has recommended to Congress another
imm ediate appropriation OF 100000
to buy land. which will, of course, be
developed and equipped for feet with
operating base on Hampton Roads.
This expenditure is urged for the pur-
chase OF the Jamestown Exposition site
and some adjacent grounds Just across
the channel from Newport News, all to
be developed and equipped with facili-
ties including a training station for
5000 men, a submarine base for twenty
submarines. an aviation operating base
for a double coastal unit and for
operating airships OF tho Zeppelin type.
coal piers. fuel storage plants. fleet
storehouse. mine and net storehouses.
'orpodo storage, medical stores. etc.
About sl,400.oo0 will be the cost Of the
land. and the immediate necessities are
training station with pier and ac-
companyinS Developments costing
$500. 900.
IMMENSE IMPROVEMENTS THAT
ARE ALREADY IN PROGRESS
Among the improvements already in
progress in the Norfolk district, in ac-
cordance with recent plans, is the con-
struction of q dry dock at the Norfolk
Navy-Yard. Contract for building this
dock was awarded to the George Leary
Construction Company OF New York
At $2,442,6Si. This dock has been
planned so that by constructing an
inner gate II can he divided into two
smaller basins when it's full length.
1920 feet over all. Ia not needed The
contract does not include pumping ma
chinery and other equipment, and it Is
expected to be completed within two
years. All tho piping will be arranged
80 that the pumps will serve this new
dock, the present dock and a third
dock which will probably be built in
the future.
Another big improvement is con
I'tained In tho 100000 expenditure for
modern shops on the Schmolc addition
to the Norfolk Navy Yard. this ex-
penditurc providing for a building to
| which Will be transferred work now
conducted in hve different structures.
This expenditure will also equip the
plant for large repair work incident to
the proposed l7oo-foot dry dock for
battleship construction. Provision for
this dock IL included In the appropria-
ton for building ways at Norfolk and
other yards. Bids for construction in
this connection are being invited by
the government from time to time.
MEANS INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY
For HAMPTON ROADS TOWNS
The appropriation bill for the Navy
Department. finally passed last year
provides more than 100000 for navy
yard addition. and these include i'm
portant facilities for building and re-
pairing government vessels. mainly
~arships. Plans for these additions
include the following: dry dock costing
! more than 335oo.0oo; structural shor
costing not more than 100000; sal
wage and tools, $4,000 I5o-ton crane
with accompanying plant, 1885, 900; re-
pairs and improvements Of machinery
and machinGry plants, $4,000; rail
road. $4,000 naval magazine on ST
Juliens Creek, $4,000; ventilatinR sys.
tenn. $4,000; toilet and locker facili-
ties. $4,000
All these big plans. in! connection
With general industria, growth and
the establishment OF privately owned
industrial enterprises OF varying char.
acter moan great activity and pros
perity for Norfolk, Portsmouth, New.
port News and Hampton for some years
10 come. for tho governments activi-
ties VIII also encourage and necessi.
tate the establishment of many minor
industries furnishing manufactured
products and various othor supplies TO,
the government plants and employees
as we'll as numerous business enter
prises OF miscellaneous character
naturally required with the continue ed
and rapid growth OF community.
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