Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-29
FOR THE CITY'S GOOD
,,oxrlNuEp FROM FIRST pAGE)

!
-. arc many others, which I will not
V,t TO enumerate-an characterized
a.',,e,tv and undoubtod prosperity. In
of these you can see the paramount
so-,t.nco Of our river navigation I'm
,r.nsport OF raw material. in all the
r.ent influence OF our magn'ncsnt
Cannes Tor distribution 1t is source
.sf pride that SO many new and pro-
t-s industries should have been firm
,,.rtoa among us within a COMPARE
.,..v recent period.
VISA incre 81 a valuable lesson for VS.
.rrlr example 10 Is a lesson OF hope
..e and enterprise. tempered by eau
., The conditions 10 which they
- thclr success should be carefully
,s.e5 by those projecting the new I'M
.....tines. which will undoubtedly fol-
mol IN the way. Il Is TO be hapod.
more imitation 10y the duplication OF
...rr plants and methods For that.
limited field like ours. would be
.-. likely so result I'm loss to both old
.r now establishments than in any
..etable extension OF production As
-,e tho expansion OF old forms OF pro-
hr.fou may De most wisely undertaken
I. those conducting existing establish
~,rfs who are I'm touch with the require
.erts and capacity OF tho market
n.f what Is wanted IS the application
t. now branches of business of the same
r-..riulos which have created the bril-
liant successes we have witnessed-the
Estimate result Of q combination OF
t-Aress ability and technical skill.
sl founded and so directed. We may
r..e TO see the manufacture OF cotton.
f- Instance. prohtably conducted here
... this NAV wei be followed by "A great
40 lid De
.nrs of each enterprise must be care
.uv and independently studied by mon
who thoroughly know their subjects not
.umiftecs who have simply resolved
r.t some gap IN the list OF our indus
r.s ought 10 be filed.
The advantages of our position con-
sst in the union Of a number of favorable
..mcnts rather than IN any single pre-
r,rldrant superiority. For instance. we
have a supply of the very best coal at a
Moderate price, considering a variety of
other circumstances. But to found here
manufacture Ike that OF Bessemer
STEEL for example. demanding a vast de-
r.icumont of steam power and an enOr-
NOUS consumption Of fuel for every unit
ll production, would be at once 10
doom it TO failure in competition with
districts where the cost OF coal is simply
t. cost OF mining.
NN. CID lIHalNl steel on the QlNtF manu-.
possible development OF the future
Each case must be considered for itself;
each case has its own economic equa-
ton. and the man who solves it must be
strong il business sense ana technical
practice.
VALUE or TECHNICAL EDUCATION
And now. TO conclude. how can we fur
iher this process of expansion and de-
velOpment Of manufacturing industry?
Not much. in my opinion. as I animated
40 tho outset by direct action through
STATE or municipal legislation, or thu
resolutions of "a chamber Of commerce.
Blt. Indirectly. a great deal may be ac-
compished. The most potent influence
win. Of course. be the success of exist
ing enterprises. The men I'm charge q
these may. therefore feel that, IN nd
vancing their own interests they are also
promoting the public good This
thought may tighten labors. always ar
duous. and sometimes ungrateful. But It
is in che announcement of technical
education that l see the greatest POSI-
buity of a legitimate stimulus TO indus
trial development.
our Mechanics Institute, which has
done good work in this direction. should
be fostered, and the plan already dis
cnssed. of connecting q chronological de-
rartmont with Richmond College, should
receive our cordial support. Nothing will
so viyify our manufacturing industries
as to scatter scientific ana technical
knowledge broadcast among our people,
and thus prepare the seed-bed CT irVen-
zion and discovery.
The watchful supervision OF this
chamber of Commerce over al the means
OF transportation and communication
affecting our trade and production must
Doe zealously exertcd.
Rut an Of these efforts will fail Of their
inst result If our municipal policy shall
not In the future be directed by such
energy and unseldsh devotion as merkec
the men from whose hands we have re-
celvcd the goodly heritage Of this fan
city.
public spirit good government, eco.
,.oruical administration. moderate taxa
ZION. active interest I'm all the great move
ments Of modern progress-these are The
thines our best civic leaders have mos
valued.
Ne must make them our first objects
now. if our growth is to be sound anc
fruitful.
Colonel Andersons delivery was forci-
.l. and convincing, and his admirable
,rprest'ons were received with loud and
prolonged applause
lOmIuerCAal bbu AT"Ht Rt''''D"'
PRESIDENT Halves next introduced Mr.
y W. Powers. who was assigned TO al.
dress the meeting on THE Commercla
ana Trade Relations of Richmond MT
Powers said:
nfr. President and Gentlemen; | am at 9
loss 10 understand Why / should have
been selected 10 discuss so broad an,
iar-reachlng subject as this, unless
sour committee thought that int1snuSh ~
had been engaged continuously an Dusl'
ness Nfe for nearly half century II
Tichmond the city OF my adoption, m,
experience and observations might SUE
rest some practical thoughts; Whlcl
would prove helpful In the development
Of our commercial interests. CChultIOiii
are constantly shifting; that which work
out successful this year may prove
complete failure next. Methods VINO
were successful ten years ago are auli
ouated now Just as the most prosIessiv
methods Of to-day VIII be 0utsIo ,S.l vai "a, !.
BIB the coming century, and the i've lneI
chant must keep abreast OF the times
ever adapting his business TO the DC
Ynands OF an exacting public. some nav
thought that RichmOnds growth mas pee
Slow. III this be true, IL may be ans
eefi that In has been sure and steady
and that the foundation OF her prospeill
has been laid az solid as the granite
which she is built.
HAS WATCHED HER GROWTH
have faith In Richmond's. future
have seen her stand the shoch .. ~,
Vastatine war. her fortunes swept ava
IN "a day: her homes burned 10 VI
rround; her factories destroyed; her RAJ
roads torn 10 pieces Wi1hOut SaP'tt'I
without credit, ana nave secn n'
Teonia uncOnouered and unconqueiablt
made even more determined 10 repuii
4heir city. and regain their fortunes =
the very dihculues W'iS th Ia Ia,,gaS