The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1895-08-28
NEEDS OF THE CITY.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
MEETS AND THE PRESIDENT
READS HIS REPORT.
THE PEOPLE URGED TO DUTY.

Shortcomings Pointed out, and
Wholesome Remedies Suggested
Home Development and Seif-reliance
Urged and our Advantages Noted
for Finishing our Own Crude Ma
ueriaI--J. f. POgue Elected Presi-
dent, and other officers Elected.
The Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
held its regular monthly meeting last
night, which was also the annual meet
ing.
President Ashley called Mr.. A. A.
Thompson to the chair and submitted
his annual report which is as follows:
RALEIGH, N. c., Aug. 49,
Members of the Raleigh Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
GENTLEMEN: Another year has rolled
away, and it becomes my duty to make
this, my second annal report, that | am
frank to say does not reflect credit on
your President. | know it is customary
on similar occasions to pat one another
on the back and tell how much we have
done, making the most of everything for
the credit of the Association, but we do
not seem to be in it this time.
Last year we were all more or less in
terested in fire insurance matters Raj
eigh's hand book was being prepared,
and other matters of public interest We're
before you at nearly every meeting. But
the year just closing seems to have been
rather dull one for this Chamber, ex
cepting that in February committee
from this body raised and sent to the
suffering farmers of Nebraska valua-
BILE contribution in March a committee
Of the Massachusetts Legislature and
again in April party of New England
cotton spinners spent few hours here,
the time of both being so limited that
we were only able to call on them indi-
vidually.
Personally, have been very busy this
year, establishing a new branch of our
works; have been out of town several
times on the date of the monthly meet
iugs, and have not been able to give to
the Chamber that time and attention
necessary to work of so great impor-
lance, so that what has been done is not
much what we have not done would
fill book.
But we cannot stop; we should not
even be discouraged, when we look over
our capitol city, and see the improve
ments on every hand, new buildings
going up on almost every street; add
lions to our State institutions-th Bap-
list Female University, Presidents Of
fee at the Shaw University, new dor
mitory and other improvements at the
A. & NJ. College. That, by the way, has
become one of the most useful institu
lions in our State. The boys who gradu
ate there readily find good positions, and
as | can testify from actual experience,
are well trained and can be depended
on to render faithful service to those
that employ them.
Nearly all our manufacturing indus
tries have added to their plants. Notably,
the Caraleigh Cotton Mills have largely
increased the amount of product by new
machinery. The Pilot Cotton Mills have
also added large number of spindles
and looms to enable them to fill orders.
The Raleigh Cotton Mill, regular divi-
dend payer, has built an extension to the
mill that when filled with machinery,
will double the amount of their present
product. The Caraleigh Phosphate Mill
has secured large and profitable bust
ness, and commenced paying dividends.
The North Carolina Car Company, by
the addition of car wheel and casting
foundry, have largely increased their
business, supplying a manufactured pro.
duct 20 our railroads that heretofore has
been purchased in other States. The
Farina FIGURING Mills began operations
since our last annual meeting, and judg
ing by the demand for the -four, must
have sprung into great popularity with
our citizens. The Mills Manufacting Co +,
have put in saw and planning mill, in
addition to the wagon business; both
have plenty of work, sending the product
far and near.
Our street railway service has vastly
improved; it is common remark what
close connection the three cars make at
at the west side of Capitol Square. The
electric light plant they have installed is
another evidence Of their enterprise.
Our county roads have all been i'm
proved, many of them are now well
graded and macadamized in most sub
stantial manner, enabling our country
friends to haul twice as much with the
same team power as they can on the dirt
roads beyond.
Our city fathers seem determined to
keep up with the process sion of improve
ments so visible on all sides; and we