The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-01

I most DAfl\ interest," anu Nll'i'N'i az
propriato taken an active part IL has
also had under consideration other i'm
| portant movements. some OF which nave
| been literally noticed by the press OF
tho city others not yet being In a state
OF progress ready for publication.
UTILIZE OUR RESOURCES.
Tho new departure Of the Board OF DE-
rectors in having meetings for the pu"hc
discussion Of questions relating 70 the
welfare and material advancement OF
the city IS believed 10 be pregnant with
the best results IN arouslng public spirit
and recognition OF the duties OF citlHeh-
ship and in culiehtening and eNciins
public sentiment. and as a recent speak
er cCgently added, public energy, upon
matters OF public concern The irst OF
these meetings rad It's attention adj
dressed TO the development of our man
ufacturine interests. There was the pro-
foundest interest manifested and the sew
eral addresses were referred 20 tho APP
propfiate committees and some OF them
have received constant and Nigllant at
tcntion But In connection with TINS
question ] desire TO retcrate the impor-
lance OF some action upon matter
which. iu its present shape is Hiani-
ing rcproach 10 our enterprise as man
ufacturing centre, namely the ial4afe 10
0fAHIOU lllIN lNf NdtNi f0NNA VI 'fiN.'
mond I'm line with the great interest
professed ina the development Of our man
ufactures. the Chamber has considered
the subject extensively advised with
parties competent TO make valuable sug-
gestiOns. and has "a lengthy list OF enter
prises considered feasible here But be-
yond bringing them 20 the attention OF
the public. furnishing Information 10 pro-
rpective investors and presenting our
Ha-a f..4f. I4u or
ganizatiOn has no power or function
whatever by which 10 promote tho OBJ
ject in view. and is I'm the embarrassing
position Of having 10 state, whenever
water-pOwer is The subject OF enquiry.
that there Is over twice as much of TINS
power available and running 10 waste as
is now in use. but that the necessary
steps have not been taken 10 develop IT..
The trouble is that we are waiting ior
outside enterprise TO accomplish TINS I'M
provement But II IL is really the wish
10 promote manufacturers. We who ARE
most vitality interested should at least
pave the way for their establishment 10y
getting this important factor INTO shape
10 attract industries as other places nave
done. Next TO. or upon par with. tne
facilities for receiving raw material ana
distributing its finished products. TINS ls
the most essential element OF physical
character in the problem OF our develop
mont as a manufacturing centre, ana li
seems 20 be drifting 10 some imperfect
solution or TO a chronic condition OF
"dosuotude" despite frequent references
20 its importance.
TO HELP OURSELVES
In recent enquiry received 10y the
Chamber viz. How can Southern ID
dustrial Development be- best promoted
the answer was unhesitaungiy given.
"hv am intelligent determination on the
part OF the Southern people 10 develop
their own Industries" and after elaoorat-
ing this view 10 some extent, the reply
went on 10 say:
'"This phase OF the question Of South
ern development is one which now seems
wcU worthy of careful consideration.
Most of our railroads. steamboats,. street
railways. express companies, Telegraph
and telephone companies. insurance com
panioe. as well as large amount Of cap
ital employed i'm other enterprises are al
ready owned and controlled by non-resl-
dents OF the revenue received by these
institutions annually, vast amount is
withdrawn from this section to large
money ceuters elsewhere until it, people
hardly think of undertaking an enter
prise of magnitude without making II
contingent upon outside help. is this
practice to continue from year TO year
until the Increment of the country is 10
"a great extent entirely afienatcd' II is
happily not $50 with many of the banks.
tobacco factories. and commercial en-
tarprses. anl need Not Doe so i'm the lu-
trre development of the industrial enter
prises If our people have that faith in
their heralded resources Ca which they
would have the outside world converted.
JOIN THE CHAMBER.
cannot close without making what
| consider q fair and logical application
10 Tho Chamber of what has been rccert-
lv said i'm one OF ITS meetings touching
the obligation of citizenship in the mat
ter OF securing good government SINH
larly il is the interest Of all business
men. capitalists, propcrty-o~ners' ana
good citizens 10 Join the Chamber They
should give it and its praiseworihy OBJ
iccts the support Of their IN ans and in-
nlcucc az least 10 the extent Of bccom-
ing its members and attending it's meet
lnes
Atlanta is often held I'D 10 DIS as an ox-
ample and by comparison a feproach
bus while ! believe in Richmond and It's
people ass against Atlanta, on any other
city we are somewhat lacking mloha-
bly, from an Individuality ami indcpend-
ence which has it's fun value I'm other
directionsf. in that cooperative spirit
which accomplishos so much in many Of
the enterprises of the present day.
Rut ] am confident of moro united
and determined purpose ON the part OF
our people in The future 10 undertake
and accomplish those thnes which are
most conducive and essential to the ad-
Vancemcnt and well being of the city.
ana trust that with the turn OF the new
year. we may be inspired with "a new
and more vigorous impulse in this ole
rccti0n.
s H. HAYES.
President Chamber of Commerce