The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-12
BOARD OF TRADE.

DOAfD Of Trade,
ROANOKE, VA, February 0. 1893.
On June 10, 1892, there was formed in
this city an organization known as the
Board OF Trade of Roanoke, Va. This
organization was the result of long
felt want of cooperation and unity on
the part OF our business men in the Of
lorts being made to protect and advance
the interests Of our city and section
Its objects, as stated, were to forward
the commercial and other material in.
terests Of Roanoke in every direction,
and by all means which sound business
and financial judgment declared to be
practicabie; to oppose all causes work.
ing to the disadvantage Of those inter-
ests; to gather into public meeting the
business mon of Roanoke, when occa-
sion might demand; to gather and spread
statistics OF the material progress and
growth OF Roanoke, and TO cheaply and
speedily settle business differences be-
tween its members without resort to
law.
The absolute need Of such an organi-
cation in city is at once recognized,
and this is evidenced by the fact that
all cities and towns of importa look
upon board of trade or chamber of
commerce as necessity. The appre.
citation Of it's Importance by our people
is shown by the fact that its present
membership includes about lGO Of our
most prominent business and profess
sional men. There is peculiar need
OF such cooperation on the part OF our
business men at present to counteract
tho effects of recent financial strin-
gency.
While in its infancy the board has
had to work it's way into public conf.
dence and study the conditions and
needs of our city, yet it has not been
idle in its efforts to supply those needs.
1t has been striving earnestly to hasten
the work on our public building; to
secure sitting of the U. S. distric.
court at Roanoke: to have a signal ser
vice station established at Roanoke; to
have freight rates aojustcd on an eouit-
able basis where these have boon ap-
parently unjust; to have shade trees
planted in our residence streets; to i'm
prove the public highways leading into
Roanoke, and other matters of import
ance which were believed to be to the
interest OF our city, and in most in
stances 1T is believed that the objects
desired will be accomplished. In addi-
ton to this the board has established ct
Roanoke small broom factory which,
1t is believed, will in time prove to be
an important industry; has organized a
company to build large cotton mill
an industry which will be of inestimable
value to our city-with every prospect
ofsuccess, and is now in correspondence
with several parties relative to the
establishment of other important indus.
tries.
In these efforts to secure new indus
tries and additional capital, and pre-
sent to strangers forcibly the advan-
tages Of this section, the board has been
hampered by want of money, neces-
sary element in this work. In order
that the board may meet the increas-
ing demand upon it, and increase it's
power for good, at the last monthly
meeting, held on February 2, the under.
signed committee was appointed to de-
wise means by which an auxiliary fund
could be provided for this purpose The
annual dues OF each member are ONLY
$40, with which it is difficult to meet
the actual expenses of the board. But
II is proposed to meet such expenses
from the revenues derived from this
source. and this auxiliary fund is in
tended to be used for outside purposes,
and will be subject only to the ordor of
the board of direc tors, which will in.
sure its proper use.
After careful consideration Of this
subject the committee has decided to
state to you plainly the objects and
aims OF the board, and to ask you to aid
us in this work to the extent of do.
mating at least $500 to this auxiliary
fund, believing that any business man
or property owner in the city of
Roanoke is sufficiently interested in the
continued growth Of the city to make
such o contribution.
Should you be willing to do this,
kindly forward check for the amount 10
II. w. Anderson, treasurer OF the board
of trade, or any member of this com.
mittee. Yours truly,
N. 3. JOHNSTON, Chairman.
j. G. RAwN,
HORACE M. ENGLE,
]. SHIRLEY SMITH,
N. =. FoARD.