The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-10
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Tho Regular Meeting Yesterday Afternoon.
Good Result Of the Southern Baptist Con-
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Advantages for
MAnufacturtng-A upper to be Given BY
the Chamber In January
The Chamber OF Commerce held Its
regular monthly meeting yesterday at
$50 p. m, President James H. Chad
bourn. Jr., presiding, and Colonel J. L.
Cantwell, the secretary, being at his
post.
The minutes of the last meeting were
read and approved
The following new member were elect
ed: MIR. John w. Gafford, Of The Even
ing Dispatch, Mr.. z. w. Whitehead. edi-
tor and proprietor Of the Southern Lum-
Der and Milling Journal, and MI. Thos.
F. Simmons, district superintendent
North Care dna and South C~arolina),
of the Interstate Telegraph and Tele-
phone Company.
After President Chadbourn had inform
ed the chamber Of a number OF letters
received and answered, including a let
ter sent to the State Agricultural and
Mechanical college endorsing the propo-
sition to establish a department for the
cotton manufacturing industry, the re-
ports Of committees were called for.
Several committees reported progress.
After discussing street improvements
the chamber, On motion Of Mr.. F.. l..
Higgins, endorsed the Improvement or
the streets with shell rock and urged
the city authorities to continue It's use
instead of using shells.
A general discussion then followed In
which it transpired that the meeting or
the Southern Baptist convention which
met here in May led to the location OF
an important industry In QUE midst-the
Roanoke Chemical Company. Mr.. Jones,
president of the company, came to the
convention and was so impressed with
our city's advantages as a distributing
point and the advantages to be had in
the way of freight rates. that he decided
to locate here and was encouraged to do
SO by Mr.. B. F. Keith and other men,
bers of the
In the course of a general discussion
about the rate Of taxation, and other
advantages necessary to encourage the
establishment OF industries, it was shown
that Wilmington's rate Of taxation is
reasonable, compared with that of other
cities. Mr.. w. E.. Worth informed the
chamber that as to the matter Of fuel
Wilmington offered conspicuous advanta-
ges to manufacturers. He said that
while north he ascertained that the price
of coal in large lots delivered in the north
ern cities named were as follows: New
York and Philadelphia, from $3.50 to 2.1
per ton; Providence. $3.50; New Haven,
go; New london, $3.50; Williamantic,
So. 20. In contrast with these. figures he
said coal was being delivered in Will
mington by water and rail at from $2.S5
to $2.45 per ton.
President Chadbourn spoke of the ad-
vantages derived from the supper at the
Seashore Hotel last summer, and sug-
gested that a supper be given at The
Orion some time early in January. The
suggestion was unanimously concurred in
and Messrs. R. N. Sweet, F. l.. Higgins,
and M. w. Jacob were appointed a COM
mittee to make the necessary arrange
ments. Mr.. Sweet was made chairman
of the committee.
In mentioning matters of a general ma
ture, Mr.. w. E. Worth stated that Will
minston was now shipping north from
200 to 800 barrels of lettuce daily.
The following was appointed
to get up data and have the same pub
lished on small memorandum books or
otherwise for distribution, where they
will do the most good: Colonel ak
Taylor and Messrs. w. E. Worth and NJ.
w. Jacob, who are the standing COM
mittee on industries.
After discussing many matters in an
informal way. the chamber adjourned.