The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-09-05

enterprises have had their origin I'm small
beginnings, but We wish 10 pave the
way for their growth, and we know that
In the conduct Of all large businesses
&c IL necessary TO cater to large trade
or 20 what Is commonly krown as the
better class OF trade.
Win that class Of trade the extent OF
our dealings are fixed by the actual COM.
petition and the margin Of profits upon
which we can make concessions TO meet
this competition
most important element in deter
mining our ability 10 meet competition
Is the cost OF reaching this trade.
An element so permeaung as freight
rates cannot receive at our hands too
serious consideration. The Inevitable law
is that the trade graNtates TO the source
OF cheapest supply The law of nature
that sends growth or development along
the line OF least resistance is applicable
here. and customers not only scrutlnize
your price. but also takes into consid-
Grafton the cost OF carriage from your
market 10 his place OF business. and this
consideration may often make or mar
your chances for sale. 1t Is no doubt
The experience OF all of us present thai
faNoranle freight rates are as essential
To the health Of the body CONNER iai
as good hygiene Is TO the body human.
To bring about this healthy trade con-
diton, and 10 preserve and foster the
growth OF our commerce. is the object
which is 10 call into existence this
Traffic Bureau, and the support for which
you are asked. Everywhere the obserVa-
ton or enterprises SHOWS tnat IN" QueS-
ton Of freight rates has grown I'm i'm
portance In proportion 10 the aggrcCa-
lions or capital. until to-day they have
assumed such vast importance, have
grown so complex I'm their nature. and
are susceptible Of having damaging fca-
lures so obscurely hidden within its maze
Of figures. that II has become quite i'm
possible with the man OF business 10 mas
ter its various problems.
sIyCE THz Use or STEAM.
TO enable us to understand the bearing
and Importance OF these questions, let
us take o brief retrospective view of
what mas occurred since the use and
Introduction Of steam. This marks 4
period IN the history OF the business or
the world. 1t wrought q. change in prices
and IN the cost OF production, which IN
turn Increased the amount OF consump~
tic.
MS caused a greater demand for trans,
Dortatipn and in ansWer to this demand
began the growth OF railroads. They
sprung up over the country. at first local
in their management as wen as In their
extent, but the spirit OF Cohc zen
or corporation reached them, TOO.
Then absorption commenced, and the
creation OF the great railway systems,
such, for instance, as tne uiituer1 !i
AtchisOn and Topeka. and more recently
the Southern Railway Company.
Consider the force massed behind these
great organizations. Every force IS de-
feruined and limited by the force which
0rnoecs r How feeble, then. must be
he plant Of any individual asking for a
Co'operation is the only source Of re-
lief II must be the effort Of the COM
rounity. and this effort can only be made
hv organization. Not measure to eX-
cite antagorlsm, but. on the contrary.
TO cultivate the most friendly relations,
and the end should be TO win the greatest
measure Of respect from every tran@por-
tation company.
No request should be preferred unless
based upon relative justice. We should
ask and endeaVOr TO obtain from the
railroads every advantage conceded 60
the most favored. We should seek 10 be
equal to the best IN our facilities and
better than the balance.
Laggards viii be the sufferers. Let
MS escape that blight Besides these
benefits to be- derived from sucn bureau.
II will bring the chamber into more active
relationship with its members. VIII MAKE
II 81 refuge for protection, and TINS tahs~
man. protection, viii breed popularity.
In conclusion. it IS safe 10 assure you
that no item Of expense VIII reject IL
self SO largely or so well Ia the balance
sheets Of the business men OF this com
munity as the contribution which they
are asked to make for the support OF TINS
bureau.