Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-04
Big Growth in Volume Of Coal Dumpings

Vast increases have been shown in
shipped through Richmond from the
Fields in West Virginia to be dumped
over the piers at Newport News. where
vessels flying every neutral flag and
plying the ocean to practically every
port on the globe tie-up for bunker
coal. This business at the Virginia
port has always been tremendous
one, but within the past two years II
has vastly increased until 1t has finally
fulfilled the dream Of great railroad
builder, the late Henry H. Rogers, Of
oil fame. who forcsaw the great fu-
it's sister State.
Shipments OF fuel coal through Rich
mond have been heavy for number
Of years, but in tho three-year period
OF l212'14 there was little or no in
crease in the business. But that was
lions throughout the country were
only normal. and less than that state
during the latter part of the period.
The tonnage, il is true, was moderately
heavy. but nothing in comparison with
the totals shown for the first four
months of this year. Another factor Ia
the great progress made since the out
break of the European war in the de-
velopment of Newport News as an At
lantlc port OF Importance.
The controlling factor, however, and
one which Is only beginning to make
itself felt is the opening of the Panama
Canal, which was long delayed but
finally completed sufficiently 10 allow
the passage OF ships in August, three
years ago. That suspicious opening
followed within a few days after the
declaration of hostilities In Europe,
and those two factors have worked
hand in hand in developing the port.
promising to make It one of the great.
est on the Atlantic coast.
PANAMA CANAL HAS
HAD STIMULATING EFFECT
AS soon as practica BILE after tho
opening OF the canal the vessels using
the short cut made arrangements to
coal at 'the News" and the tonnage
TO the port started it's upwnrd climb.
AS the war progressed and shipping
became more treacherous, especially 10
certain classes OF trade that was OBJ
noxious to Germany, other ships chang
cd their routes where practicable and
used the canal Every additional boat
meant so many more tons OF coal, and
practically all of il came from Virginia
and West Virginia. Within recent
months, with shipping TO Europe ex-
ceedinsly dangerous, many vessels are
using the canal en- route to Vladyos-
took. from which port supplies are
shipped over the Trans-Siberian Rail-
road.
To care for this business the three
railroads entering the port from Vir-
ginia-thc Chesapeake and Ohio, tho
Norfolk and Western, and the Vir-
ginian-have greatly increased their
facilities within the past year. The
former railroad has constructed new
classification yards and otherwise i'm.
proved its terminal facilities. and ex-
tensive improvements have been COM
p!eted by the other two roads Plans
arc now on foot to install additional
machinery for the coalins of side mort
bunker ships.
With the compilation OF this inn
provement a certain class OF vessels
that are now tediously coaIed can be
loaded rapidly. and this feature is ex-
pectcd materially to increase the bust
ness. This great traffic, however, was
visioned years ago by the late Henry
II. Rogers. of Standard Oil fame, who
spent some tins in the mountains OF
Virginia. and West Virginia inspecting
the coal fields. MIR. Rogers foresaw
the making OF port of world import
ance on Hampton Roads. and realized
the need for supplying the vessels with
coal.
ROGERS FIANACES AND
CONSTRUCTS RAILROAD
The coal fields in the two States con-
tanned fuel enough for years. he saw,
and he set about devisinE adequate
transportation facilities. He saw the
need for direct railroad from, the
fields TO the seaboard, and few