Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-06
SHIP COMPA IS
T0QU|T BUSINESS
President Walker Is Here to
Find Purchasers for
Holdings.
HOLD CONFERENCE TODAY
Lines Head Says Historic
Transport System Is Down
and Out"
HOLD CONFERENCE TODAY

Opportunity for Richmond and Nor
folk business interests to purchase
tho steamers Brandon and Berkeley.
ana thereby insure the continuance
Of James River traffic, will he given
by the Old Dominion Steamship Com
pany through its president. H. h.
walker, who arrived here last night
for the purpose of placing his proposi-
t!on before the Chamber Of Commerce
this morning at 3 O'Clock
Not only will tho future Of the
river traffic be at stake. but the pos
sibilitE of company being Noated
10 take over the entire property of
the Old Dominion Steamship Com
pany. VII be considered by business
interests here. Between $500. 900 and
33,000.o00 will be necessary to swing
such a deal.
Confers With Norfolk Interests
MT Walker arrived last night from
Norfolk, where he had been in con
ference with business interests and
city officials there. In Norfolk he
declared that the "Old Dominion. is
down and out and that the company
would sell its property and dissolve.
Following conference with reprc-
sentatives of the Richmond Chamber
OF Commerce ard representatives OF
the company for several hours. MIR.
alkcr declined TO. add anything 10
what had been said in Norfolk. de
caring that his whole proposition
would be laid before the chambers
tratnc committee this morning. j.
scott Parrish is chairman of the com
mittee.
Absolute blame for the failure or
the company to pay it's way is placed
by President Walker on strikes and
the nigh cost OF operation. The loss
OF several steamers in recent years
through accidents at sea was GOV.
cred by insurance
For Trnmc's Continuance.
The purchase of the Brandon and
Bcrke!ey by Richmond and Norfolk
interests would insure a continuance
or river traffic which has been de-
e!ared absolutely necessary 10 the
points along the James. The cha mber
o. commerce and other business or
sahiZat!ons arc alive To the possi-
oi!ities and arc anxious 10 retain the
service. which gives to Richmond a
preferential rate through compc;it on
with the railroads. W:thou, river
service. considerable farm produce
now coming 10 the local markets viii
ne lost 10 Richmond. while business
concerns here Will have ono OF their
pest markets divorced from them.
The Brandon ard Bcrkclcv cos, an.
proSimatcly sl50.O0o to build whi,.
neither arc new, they are not old for
inc life o: snip. The latter was
built az the old Tr.ec Shipyards in
Richmond about fifteen years ago.
They ire each Of 500 tors. dead weigh;
hut can take cargo Of 100 tons OF
miscellaneous freight :.
The steamers have not been man,n-
the run between Richmond and Nor.
ioik since March IL, according 20
george NJ Wyatt, agent Of the COM
nanr here. This is due 10 the lrur-
Shoremen's strike. now IN progress N
New .Yorh. -
The discontinuancc OF tho line per-
mancniiy will throw more than 100
men out OF employment In Richmond
aiohe. Ar Wyatt stated last night.
THIS includes the clerical and Ia ho--
ing FORCES now employed a; the wharf
here.
Among tho employees who viii
rose tne!r positions are many veterans
OF the service. AZ. wyatt, falls Inro
THIS class. If he works until Angus,
exactly half-century with the Old
dominion. He is the second Oldest
employee in paint of service on the
pay roll of the company, the oldest
heing the treasurer. VINO resides I'm
New York The company started m
!nehiatcly after the War Between the
states. 80.
Thc Old Dominion now .owns four
oceangoinE steamers. rhe newest OF
which is the Madison II has been
rumored that these boats had been
.ro!d TO the Italian Line. Represented
ny Mcdonald Trude, of New YORK.
nut this was denied last night ny
oihcials. These ships. however. arc
or the market. and will be offered 10
interests here. along with the Bran
uon and Berkeley. They cost on an
average of 100000 to build.
without the continuance or tho New
lork-Norfolk service. officials do not
believe that the company could oe
justified in continuing service on the
James River. as the larger part or
the freight was destined for transrrr
AT NORFOLK. or If consigned 10 Rich
mond, originated outside Of Norfolb.
and was merely reshipped there.