Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-03-03
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LOCAL men ASK AID
/ FOR WATER TRAFFIC
Delegation From Richmond Urges
Congress to Guarantee Ship
Line Earnings.
EscH PROMISES ACTION
Montague Also Interested in
Move to Help Inland Water
ways Trade.
EscH PROMISES ACTION

Legislation giving steamship COM
panies doing business along the coast
from port to port an indemnity for six
months similar TO that guaranteed
railroads by the government, may re-
suit from the efforts OF a committee
which the Chamber OF Commerce sent
to Washington on Monday. The COM
mfttee was sent IN an endeavor to
solve the problem OF peaceably retain
ing the James River service of the
0id Dominion Steamship Company for
which was brought to the attention
of the business interests here by The
Times Dispatch.
mpsn Antrim ,ns soames anG George B1yan
a conference In Washington with Rep
resentatives Al. Montague, of Vir-
gin SiniI' l. and and John j. Esch; chairman OF
Committee. 1t was agreed that a joint
resolution, which would give steam
snp ,nes sTading along the eoas,
railroads. Should be introduced in
Congress-.
Montague to Continue Work.
Today Congressman Montague will
confer with Edgar T.. Clark. chairman
Of the Interstate Commerce Commis-
sion, in the interest of the proposed
measure.
Declaring that the United states
to tho farmers of Virginia asking them
to increase production as greatly as
Pbossiole bss le, this ,.;,r year as blow AT the
was spokesman for the committee. told
Alr. Esch that. although such action
had been taken and thousands OF dol
tho farmers In large part of the
State arc completely cut off from a
market by the Withdrawal of the boat
lines. 1 fthe boats arc withdrawn
from coastwise service. Aer Antrim
told Congressman lssch. 1t will mean
the loss of thousands of dollars to
the 6abiiftvo The farmers IN hae 10 Ina inarSst
thstr products at all. Great IlsS, ttties
OF COUNTY, produce will rot IN the
fields, ttss1Sas declared 4 Z -
Richm ondcrs Criticize Bnt.
Further, tho fairness OF the Cum
Minis -Esch railroad bill was questioned
by the Richmonders 1t was pointed
out to congressman Esch that because
sostheTn psne line GWnsd by the
property of the railroad it was given
the government guarantee for six
months. while independents lines. the
stock OF which is owned by independ-
ent, individuals. arc compelled to face
the reconstruction conditions without
aid or assurance Of any sort.
II. b. Walker president of the Old
Dominion Steamship Company. was
present at the conference and added
arGumentssto those of the committee.
position TO the legislation was frank
ly admitted by members of the COM
mittee. They declared that they nad
been told that owners of steamboat
lines doing a coastwise trade we're un-
alter rably opposed to the proposed ieg-
tsiation because il would mean the
fixing of rates. SO that they would be
limited In this way.
Although this was the belief OF the
committee. the members we're jubilant
last night and said that it was their
belief that with such well-known
sponsors the measure whcih will as
sure Richmond and the Virginia sea-
board service was safely launched
Appointment of the committee was
merce until its return yesterday be-
cause it was feared publicity would
interfere with the object for which 1t
was sent.