Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-10

Adams ana 0outuotn G8YLcD SVmp
mics guarantee Of express rates which
are very satisfactory. and an assurance
OF proper facilities, which will greatly
encourage business Of this character.
THE STEAMSHIP CONTROVERSY.
Special committees have been sp-
pointed from time totime to confer with
the President and Postmaster. General,
a. we'll "a the managers Of the United
States and Brazil Mail Steamship Com
pany. in reference to proper facilities
for exports aud imports at Newport
News. In this matter they have been
greatly aided by the Wholesale Gro
cers' Associations OF Richmond and the
South. This question has assumed .
national importance, but forbear to
enter here into full account OF 1t, ~ by
direction of the Board OF Directors full
statement OF the chambers connection
with the matter has been prepared and
published in pamphlet form and
copy sent TO each member.
STATE BOARD or TRADE.
During the month Of May, at the sug-
gestion OF the Buena Vista Chamber OF
Commerce, q meeting OF the various
chambers and boards OF trade OF the
State was held IN this city for the pur..
| pose of organizing q State Board OF
Trade. A temporary organization was
effected and Mr.. l.. q. Leigh, Jr., was
elected president This is matter OF
30 great importance that ! wish to par
ticularly direct the attention OF the
chamber to it. 1t is Of great Inn.
portance that the commercial and
manufacturing interests OF the whole
State should organize for defence
of their interests and to cooperate Tor
the general good. Consultation among
the various cities OF the State will de-
velop the patent fact that our interests
are identical, and that hurtful Legislation
to one section is equally hurtful to all.
The day for petty jealousies among cities
has passed. The telegraph and rapid
TRANSPORTATION makes all OF our cities
practically one community, and whole
some legislation must bring prosperity
to each only the slothful and laggards
have fears OF rivals in the race where
each has equal facilities and no incum-
brances or impediments to trade. The
combined influence OF such an organiza,,
ton welded for the common good VIII
be of untold advantage to all.
In this connection can point TO the
valuable work done by the Wholesale
Grocers' Association OF this city. also the
organization of the Virginia and North
Carolina Wholesale Grocers' Assocla-
ton. The formation of these and OF the
Southern Wholesale Grocers' Associa-
ton indicates purpose on the part OF
the trade OF the South to assert the nights
and importance Of its manufacturing
and trade centres, and Is worthy OF emu
lation by other branches OF business. In
these DAYS OF large moneyed monopolies
it is necessary that the weak should
combine for their better protection. and
assert by combination that power which
as individuals they would be unable to
exert
80 INCREASE THE MEMBERSHIP.
Iregret that we cannot report an In
crease of our membership for the. year.
While we have gained many valuable
new members, many of those who had
Joined within the past two or three years
failed to continue their membership.
Our efficient Committee on Resident
| Members are now engaged IN another
effort to bring in new members. 1t ID to
be regretted that 30 many OF our sub
stantial citizens fail to realize the good
work done by the chamber. They profit
| in all our work, but do not assist by be-
combing members. The fee of $40 pei
annum ia small compared with the good
accomplished and the labor bestowed by
the active members. l trust that this
last appeal of our committee will result
in large addition to our membership.
The past year has not been as gratify'
| ing as its predecessors in all respects,
but we have cause for congratulatior
Notwithstanding. Our bank clearances
have increased AMI money has been ex'
ceptionally easy. Collections which al
first were not satisfactory have greatly
increased, and the average is as good Of
heretofore. The low price OF cotton
has curtailed business in those sections,
but in the grain and tobacco section,
business is reported better. The col
lapse OF land booms has caused de-
preston in some sections, but IN oul
CITY we have been free from this. anc
the prices of real estate are strong anc
advancing. The increase in the State'i
advertisement of the real estate oil the
city last year was over S4,0OO,OOO
Building operations, which fell oil du
ring last summer have revived this spring.
and we have for the coming summer
and fall indications OF more building
than for many years. The most graft
fying revival of business to be seen is il
leaf tobacco, largely due to TIT
inauguration Of loose bright tobacco
sales, which have grown 30 rapidly tina
where there were no warehouses a yea
ago We now have at least five in full and
successful operation.
THE CHAMBERS NEW HOME
II is my pleasant duty to report II
the chamber that the financial arrange
ments have been completed for TIT
erection of the Chamber of Commerce
building. In pursuance of your gen
eral instructions and authority vested IL
the board by the General Assembl.
of Virginia We have purchased and pait
for the property at the southwest corne
of Ninth and Main streets, fronting rs
feet on Main street and running bacl
lO3 feet to an alley, which cost us abou
s65. 1000. We are about to contract 10
the erection of seven-story stone-and
brick building, to cost about $50, COO
and the money for its erection has BEEF
obtained from citizens of this city on
mortgage bearing per cent. interest 10
forty years. Work will be commence
at once, and the building completed Il
sixteen to eighteen months, lcongratu
late Won on the success OF your enter
prise, begun among SO many difficulties
and the encouragement received iron
sources on which we had relied for he'll
and encouragement. This building VII
stand as o monument to the en-
terprise OF our citizens Of oil classes
for among its contributors grea
majority are men OF small means
It's completion will mark new era /
, the style Of the architecture of our prir
cipal business street. 1t will be the onl
perfectly-equipped Office building in tn
city, and will encourage the develop
ment of greater conveniences in the col