The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-09
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
-nr IyvUAI REPORT FROM PREsT-
pyNr 0EORGE L. CHRISTIAN.
,-,.csson OF onicers and Board of
pireciors-A summing Up OF the
work of the Year.

,,,,is,ian. president Of the Chamber. &C
cspying the chair
srcr the reading OF the minutes Of the
,-evous meeting, Judge Christian read
ID. report Tor the year. as follows:
r, tse Chfmrcr Of Commerce of Rich
mond. Va:
II, submitting this the twenty-sixth an
- report Of our Chamber. ] grieve TO
n' 81 record. in the first place. that
. C,r last annual meeting the Cham
ti'- 80 sustained the loss Of several Of
o' LOST useful and active members.
Hs Them General Joseph II. Ander-
49, M. r. O. Noting. each Of whom
efs1 with signal ability and fidelity
"a ~ aqoe OF president OF the Chamber.
,,..sre Hay a. Taliaferro and Ro-
. ~ ybitlock. both OF whom had been
i.'..,-srt and useful members OF its
$3.50 directors. our Chamber can NY
g'.5 no loss OF such men as these. and
60 lives ana especially their work in
- f,,.vber. should be an incentive TO
.u 81 ,.s 40 strive 10 emulate their virtues
"a examples In my opinion there can
--....i, be- offered a better test OF good
..r,.rsni7 On this community than that
,.,3 membership and devotion TO the
.-,.,t work Of this Chamber. Appropri-
-. ~asofnnons have been adopted TO
commemorate the virtues Of all Of these
s,-r4rrn. except IN the case Of Mr.
SUl.o.k. whose death has occurred since
r. LAST meeting Of the board. and IL is
..~ast needless for me 20 remind you Of
me duty We owe 10 his memory IN this
respect
The rresent membership Is approximate
lv what 70 was twelve months ago, the
Increase in the interim being fifteen. maxi
l.g the number now upon our rolls $40.
NJ his membership ! regret 10 state that
quite large number have not paid their
annual dues and this occasion should.
Think. be- taken 10 strenuOusly urge such
d,unluents 10 meet this small obligation,
+ being so important at this time 10 the
rc-tssci work and usefulness Of the
Chamber that they do so.
The necessity for these payments will
be rendered more apparent from the con-
dillon Of the treasury, both al the end OF
THIS and Of last year. when 10 was only
by rigid economy that an encroachment
upon the sinking fund could be avoided
So meeting necessary expenses. Special
attention IS called 10 the report Of our
eADfllflf lIaNAltI Abl A'Adilo VI ANNNilNo
and expenditures.
This condition Of our affairs Is OF course
largely due 20 the pressure Of the per-
sOnel demands on members during re-
cent periods Of depression and anxiety;
but the revenues. growth and prosperity
OF the Chamber should not be imperilled
BY temporary stringency in money or
other troubles. as at Just such times may
IT'S usefulness be eXemplihed IN many
ways.
Az this juncture, when we are about
10 incur a heavy additional outlay by
removal 10 our new and commodious
quarters. We are especially admonished
that 10 Is necessary for every member to
pay his dues promptly; and. further, that
in the near future. as has been suggested
by our jealous chairman on membership,
Nr u. Y. Johnson, and also contemplated
By the finance committee Of the building,
an effort should be made 20 gain consider
able accessions TO our ranks. and surely
this VIII not be difficult 10 accomplish
when we have ample room 10 afford us
hot only O comfortable and attractive
place OF meeting but house Of our own
which f. regarded as an ornament 70 our
nty. sss.
business Outlook.
in the January statements was an ex-
ceedingly gratifying one I'm almost every
line. 1t indicated a steady and consideIa-
bic Increase in the tobacco and Jobbing
trades, and in the total output of our
varied manufacturing interests. The con-
diti0n Of these interests IS believed 10 be
substantially the same at the present
time. with lessened activity Of late in most
lines as. OF course, was inevitable from
the stringency in the money markets
and the feeling OF uncertainty due mainly
20 the state of the currency question
This IS only proper business caution on
our part and % is hoped that wisdom
in the administration Of public affairs
may devise proper measures for relieving
the troubles due 10 bad legislation In The
pant. when confidence and prosperity will
doubtless be fully and promptly restored.
Notwithstanding the depressing causes
referred 10, building and improvements
in the city and its suburbs have con-
tnued upon a wonderful scale. In addi-
ton 10 the buildings in progress twelve
months ago, such as the City Hall and
tAe Chamber OF Commerce. which are now
approaching completion, and the bank
b4Hding Of the Planters National Bank
and Virginia Safe Deposit and Fidelity
Company. which has been completed,
h4uy others OF Importance have already
% soon will be undertaken: such,
iT instance, as the State III
lay building. the jefferson Ho-
te the Allen & Ginter factory. Pope's
warehouse, Wrights factory, etc, etc
With the prospect OF another medical
college and a city hosptal-the latter a
want long felt by the city. The Chesa-
paake and Ohio and Richmond and DAN
vile depots are still talked Of as things
81 the future. Nearly all Of our banks
IRE either improving their old buildings
ur moving into new quarters. which gives
evidence OF their continued growth and
prosperity.
Work OF the Chamber.
The Chamber and It's committees have
Gellt with a number Of matters. among
which / note the following.
The magnitude and variety Of our
Trades and Industries was Well displayed
lasi fan by the trades parade, arranged
by the Chamber through its committee
on. State Exposition and special com
Eltiees 40 the request OF the Virginia
STATE Agricultural and Mechanical So
heIy Tor the opening day Of their very
successful Exposition.
Ihe edition OF over 1900 copies OF 1.-THE
N'} on the James," a handsome work
Illustrating the resources. attractions. etc,
~ ihe city, was published by Mr. Engel
''4 ll under the auspices Of the Chambers
committee on advertising.
authority has been secured for the
t''h,auon OF AIR John Shelton WI
ss splendid address on THE Cred
:. me South" with the Chambers ney
annual report.
,,- laese opponents Of our wealth and pr.
should do much 20 attract the al
''''on or home seekers and investors
The City's Health.
4. ne question Of the health OF the city
49, o"e mat has received great considera-
"a" az the hands Of the Chamber for
t"s PAST two Yea re Az tb. loat ,.,.at