Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-07-29
Progress by Way of the Sea

| a \ auspcious beginning has been made
by the Chamber of Commerce toward
the restoration of Richmond Il maritime
city But ii is only Il beginning. The re-
| establishment OF direct steamship communi-
cation with New York. urgent as is its ncces-
J sily. is but the \. Il. C.'s OF what Richmond
hopes to achicvo--whai il must achieve il
I ii Is 10 progress TO the possibilities of its
God-civen location in relation to the sea
board. There must he more than IL more
restoration. There must be the building up
OF an occan-going traffic that will make
llchmond Il real seaport, competitor OF
Norfolk and other Atlantic Coast cities The
possibilities are here. tho capital is here
the business will come when the facilities
arc provided. II will require clcar-visioncd,
biE-bra,ned effort 10 put il across. and
+.chmond can produce that, too. If il will.
Richmond is committed neither to West
remit on the York River. nor TO City Point.
on the James. as its gateway 10 deep water
ana the markets OF the world. II Is COM
Mltled only TO the broad proposition that
Such gateway must be established Both
routes have their advantages and both their
obvious disadvantages. In neither case. il
i heIicved, arc tho disadvantages so great
as TO he inSurmounablc. 1t is for the city
OF Richmond. backed by the Chamber OF
commerce and other business organizations
10 determine which route is the better. Let
commission be appointed to survey the
"Hoic situation weigh the respective merits
OF. the Two routes, determine what ii will
DC possible TO accomplish on each. the prob
aA!e expense, the prospect OF Federal aid
and in a general way the volume OF bust
ness that reasonably might be expected TO
How 10 this shipping center Such a con-
structivc approach to the problem of Rich
mona dcep-water port will put it before the
people IN definite form and enable solu-
ton mat WI! at once prove the most eco
hoM!cai ana the wisest from tho standpoint
Of future trade relations
Nuriolk is presenting an example OF mod
crn municipal activity upon which Rich
inohd may look. not with envy at the for
mcr's opportunity but with a determination
10 profit thereby when the proper time
comes. With the removal OF rate discrimi-
nations Norfolk again is an open port free
ana unrestricted III its competition with the
ports OF the North 1t is taking full! advantage
OF that condition. y commission OF it's citizens
Is touring the West advertising the cty's
ADVANTAGES as deep-watcr shipping center
Iii 'ouch with the ports OF the world. and
everywhere Tho commission goes il is re-
ce!NlnS assurances OF unlimited traffic. de-
pending only on its ability to furnish the
Slips and guarantee regular sailinEs Con
Gestion III New York and its inadequate, old
fashioned dockage are combining TO send
ocean traihc southwark and Norfolk's pros
rccts arc more than encouraging In all
inns converSng OF business toward South
orn waters Richmond would be sharing if it
had a dccp-sca port. All the other advan-
tases oil transportation il already possesses
Given the West Point or the City Point
gateway and it easily may become one OF
The Atlantic's greatest ports
Meanwhile, Richmond Will do we'll TO
unite with Norfolk and other Southern cities
ara press strongly for the appointment of
II southern man 10 the Shipping Board 10
hi the vacancy caused by the resignation
OF John Barton Payne, Nirginian Under
tho craftsmanship OF Admiral Benson the
board is manifesting an attitude Of abso-
!ue fairness toward the Southern ports but
Virginia and the other Southern States can
not afford 10 permit. without protest, the
possible seating on that board OF a man who
IS IN sympathy with those shipping interests
which even now are conspiring to rob their
ports for the benefit OF certain Northern
cities.