Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-17

Especial to The Times -Dispatch.l II
Ne" YORK. July 15-Prexidcnt
Walker Of the Old Dominion steam
ship line, by long -dIstance telephone i
from his summer home. Tonight |
stated TINT there ix absolutely no
foundation for the report that the |
company plans to give up any part
of it's business. They have at pres |
ent more business thnn they cnn
handle, and II would be a poor time
to retire. "You may say nuthori-
tatively that there In nothing In the
rumor,- he said.
Because tho property can be put to
a more profitable use." tho Old Do
minion Steamship Company is contem-
plating the withdrawal Of all it's steam
ers in Virginia waters, including those
plying between Norfolk and New York.
it was learned last night. Such step
would virtually suspend all water
transportation facilities in the eastern
part of the State, many sections of
which have no other means to transport
products or supplies. 1t was generally
understood in Richmond that definite
action would be taken by the board
of directors at their meeting in New
York on Thursday.
State officials viewed with alarm
the contemplated action OF the steam
ship company. because of the fact that
1t will seriously cripple the transpor-
tation system of the State. The with
drawal CT it's vessels operating in Vir-
ginia waters will mean the suspension
OF the night line service on the JamesJ
River between Richmond and Norfolks
the day service of the Virginia NaVi-
cation Company. subsidiary concern,
on the James River. and will also hf-
feet Smithheld, Hampton. Old. Point
and the Mobjack Bay sectionR The
company operates boats on the East.
the Ware. the North and tie Severn
Rivers in Eastern Virginia. in addi-
ton to the service on the James River.
and practically all of these sections
are dependent entirely upon the steam
ers for the shipment of all produce
and for the receipt OF all supplies.
MAY ALSO WITHDRAW
NEW YORK SERVICE
While 1t was not definitely known In
Richmond last night. the statement
was made on the best OF authority
that the proposed withdrawal OF tho
steamers included those operating bo-
tween Norfolk and New York, which is
tho only coastwise line tho company
operates.
Christopher B. Garnett, chairman Of
the State Corporation Commission, i'd
mitted last night that he had received
information that the company was
considering retiring from general
business. He said he had been ad-
vised that 1T had been suggested on
behalf OF the stockholders that the
property OF the Old Dominion steam-
ship Company could. and should. be
put to more profitable uso than nt
present engaged"
Asked for a statement, Mr.. Garnett
considered moment. and replied that
he thought the matter should be laid
completely before the public
1T is an extremely serious situa-
tion." he said. but as yet have re-
ceived little or no information on the
subject. The withdrawal of these
boats, however. would cause untold
damage to residents of the sections
and communities affected. under
stand that the directors will take some
action at their meeting Thursday. but
exactly what they contemplate. have
not been advised"
SUBSIDIARY CONCERN
FAvoRS DISSOLUTION
Reports Of the contemplated action
Of the Old Dominion follow closely the
recommendations of the board Of direc-
tors of the Virginia Naviga ton Com
pany. a subsidiary corporation. that
the latter organization be dissolved in
the interest of the stockholders. The
statement was made that it had been
operated for some time at loss, and
that it could not continue to do business
in Virginia under existing cnditions.
The dissolution of this company is
being warmly protested against by the
State Corporation Commission. various
civic organizations and the people af-
fected by the withdrawal OF the day
line service on the James River. The
company operates the steamer Poca-
hontas on this line. and from practi-
cally every wharf along the river pro-
tests were received by, the commission
against the suspension OF sailings.
The directors called special meet
ing of the stockholders to discuss the
matter. but at this meeting last Wed
nesday action was postponed for two
weeks 1t now develops that the parent
company is considering similar action.
Efforts were made last night to secure
statements from officers in New York
City.
COMMUNITIES PROTEST.
AGAINST WITHDRAWAL
The proposed action of the Old Do
minion Steamship Company Is appar-
emily the elimination OF a general up
heaval Of the company's affairs. and
Is believed to have resulted from re-
cent developments in the water trans
portation field in Virginia. 1t Is known,
however, that the strongest kind OF op-
position will be offered. and every pos
sible effort made to prevent with
drawal Of the vessels operating In Vir-
ginia waters. The future of these COM
munities. 1t was stated, Is at stake
Continued on Second Page,)
Excusaion to the Mountains.
Leaves Byrd Street station l1:15 this