The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-13
FRIDAY, JUNE IL, 1890.
rur CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

When a stranger enters city and wishes
o. have an index Of that city's position. nc
seeks It's Chamber Of Commerce. Inc
stranger who could have attended the an
nual meeting yesterday of Richmond's com
mercal body would have been satisfied and
content TO cast bis lot with the capital OF
Virginia.
From the business-like report of the pres
ident, John b. Purcell, he would have learn
cd that Richmond's conservatism is tine
tured largely with enterprise and industry.
The suggestions Of that report are well
worth the careful consideration ana ac-
ton BY business men and capitalists.
with the natural advantages.of Richmond
as a manufacturing site 1t is not surprising
that industrial establishments have in
creased during the past year, and 1t is not
10 be questioned that by proper advertise
men, of the resources still undeveloped,
the number of such establishments shall be
largely increased during the coming year.
As Colonel Purcell rightly says: "With
every natural advantage that could
terest unequalled by any city Of this
country, social life unsurpassed, a
healthy and salubrious climate, municipal
government, of which we may well be
proud. low taxes, unsurpassed railroad IA
cilities, proximity to the most fertile and
richest sections of the ,South-all these
and many others combine to present to the
investor a field which if properly presented
will induce immigration and build up our
city: but we must make the world know it.
The Individual efforts Of our enterprising
citizens can do but little; but the combined
efforts Of all will certainly accomplish a
great deal Let us, then, co-Operate-large
and small doing each his part-and we
shall see that by unity of action we can
place our city, as it deserves te he, in the
front rank of the progressive cities of the
Union"
But manufactures, for which Richmond
lie so well adapted, cannot flourish unless
due provision is male for skilled mechan-
les, and in this respect every one Will agree
with the president Of the chamber in the
statement that there Is scarcity of homes
for mechanics; and to offer inducements TO
them equal to other cities; tRichmond
must have a greater number
OF such homes at lower rents
than prevail at present. The solution
of this problem is in the hands partially of
the wide-awake real estate men who do
business here, and in the corporation, fol-
lowing the suggestion of Colonel Purcell,
that 1--WE must see that our city limits are
extended, and that regular and gradual
plan Of street extensions are made. The
municipal must keep in advance of private
enterprise, or we shall find that it is him
drance to our growth"
What the Chamber has done Of special
value to Richmond trade and commerce
may he summed up in the words of the pres
idents report:
"The Chamber has had under considera-
ton, amons other subjects, the lettering OF
our mail and passenger facilities over the
different railroads, obtaining options for
manufacturing sites, deepening and widen
ing the chiunel Of the river, the develop
ment OF our water power and settling the
differences Of riparian owners, considera-
ton of the Torrey bankrupt bill-a bill for
better collection Of debts; an effort to.reduce
the insurance rates on buildings, &C., pro
curing lower rates for travelling statesmen,
tickets and sleepers to New York, the pilot
age laws of Virginia, and express charges
on collections"