Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-28
FIVE EASTER TRIPS.
TRADE ASSOCIATION MAY con-
DUCT THEM NEXT MONTH.
MERCHANTS MUST PAY SUBSCRIPTIONS
Trains VIII Run From All Parts Of
Nir2tnin-Mnny Attractions VIII he
Vnered 10 the Nisitors-Large
Crowds Expected.

Five excursions viii probably be run
to this city, under the auspices Of the
Development Of Trade Association. on
April lith and 18th They will come
from South Boston. Farmvine, Towards
vile, Old Point. and Charlottesville.
The trains will stop at intermediate
stations. and the fares for the round
trip VIII be 81 from each Of the points
above named, with a sliding scale for
intermediate stations. That from South
Boston, on the IAN, will not return until
the following day.
The cost OF these excursions is not
expected to be larger than last year,
when the running expenses amounted to
N.OS3.
The contracts between the railroad
companies and the association call for a
certain sum to be paid down, with the
balance to be paid before the trains
start and as the association only has
Sl0S3 in the treasury, the Executive
Committee decided to issue a call on
those who promised to subscribe for 25
per cent. of the amount that they guar
anteed. So far they have been much en-
couraged by the response to this call.
The total amount of the promised sub
scriItons IS 1855 and 70 per cent. Of
this amount would be Si90.75, and $2S6.23
Of this sum has already been received
by Mr.. A. IA. Meyer. the secretary and
treasurer of the association.
The excursions from these same points
last year brought to Richmond $500 peo-
pie. and they paid for themselves. The
total number of people brought here
under the auspices of the association was
400, and only $l17@ was paid towards
this by the Richmond merchants.
LAST YEARS EXPENSES.
The association paid for expenses last
year the sum of S335974. They under
took these excursions without any capi-
tai members of the Executive Commit
tee paying .Au initial cost. The FIRST OK
cursions were immensely successful but
there were losses on the special trains
from North Carolina.
a call of - per cent. was made on SUD-
scribers, but so many failed 10 respond
that the collections were 10 per cent.
short of what they should have been.
The committee decided, IN view Of this
fact. that the guarantee fund must first
be raised from the subscribers. or the
excursions cannot run. There will be
meeting Of the committee on Tuesday
morning and if the merchants respond
to the call the bids of the different rail-
roads will be considered.
The committee is composed of Messrs.
TAYLOR Grandy, A. II. Meyer Jacob
Cans, and Ralph Levy.
MAY DO EASTER SHOPPING.
The dates for the first excursions were
selected with a view 10 encouraging the
country people TO come to Richmond to
do their shopping for Easter. a great
variety of attractive features are con-
templated for the entertainment OF the
visitors during their stay. 1t has peen
proposed that the militia shall be asked
TO parade for the benefit of their country
cousins. and a band will be engaged TO
play Il one of the parks or in the Capltol
Square. Another plan that has been sug-
gested is one that was carried out win
great success i'm Pittsburg recently under
similar conditions. 1t is that an
effort shall be made to contract with one
of the winter circuses to show here.
guarantee will. of course, be paid to the
Snowman. and the visitors VIII be ad-
mitted at a merely nominal entrance Zee
II is considered that no stronger induce
ment could possibly be offered to
countryman than the possibility of seat
near the sawdust ring, and a chance at
some pink lemonade.