Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-16
THE CHAMBER ACTS.
WILL PETITION SOUTHERN TRAF-
FIC ASSN FOR BETTER RATES.
WHOLESALE MERCHANTS TO ORGANIZE
They VIII Follow the Plan Adopted
by New York and Sc. Louis for the
DEVELOPMENT of Trade--some Opin-
fons-What Sec'y Dunlop Says.

all arrangements for the prosecution Of
a vigorous autumn campaign of en-
deayor TO secure worthy share Of pat
ronage from the merchants of the smaller
cities. towns and the country.
On the Goth instant, a committee, APP
pointed by the Chamber of Commerce,
will petition the Southern Traffic Asso-
ciation-which will then be in session
for similar concessions to those which
have been made by the railroads to st.
Louis and New York. The same plan,
too. which has been so successful at these
northern points will be put into ope-
ration here and another committee
from the Chamber of Commerce, called
the Committee on Trade Excursions, VIII
commence an active canvass this morn
ing with a view to enlistng the sympa-
thies and active cooperation of whole
sale merchants and jobbers in the for
nation of an association to consist or
resident and nonresident members.
ADVANTAGES WILL BE MUTUAL
The advantages to be derived from this
organization will be mutual, as far as the
two grades Of members are con-
cerned. Glass A will comprise the resi-
dent merchants and manufacturers upon
whom will fall the burden-a light one
of maintaining the association. Class Il
will be composed of nonresident men,
hers who pay no fees for the privilege
of membership. but reap the advantage
Of the concession in The matter ot
rates which it is Believed will be made
TO the association by the traihc COM
missioners. Twice year. just before the
opening of the two seasons, tickets
TO Richmond will be issued from any
point South to Richmond at convention
rates-a fare and third for the founu
trin-to members of the association only.
These tickets will be issued for week
and will hold good for thirty days. In
order 10 guard against imposition, the
usual fare will have to be paid on the
outward Journey, and the return tchfl
will be obtained at one third OF the regu-
lar fare. through the association. Inc
visitors will be entertained some tlme
during their stay in the city by Class a
Of the association.
THE PLAN WORKS WE'LL.
In St. Louis and New York this plan
has had a wonderful effect in inducing
merchants to visit those cities ana I$ihe
their purchases. The Richmond marhol
has comparatively as many inducements
TO offer to the buyer as the nor ~ 80
markets. and if the traii1c association WIN
meet the committee of the Chamber III
| the matter of rates, there is no DOUBT
| that II will be the means OF bringing
hundreds of merchants here who would
otberUisa 90 TO the northern markets.
If is stated that the New YORK Mer-
chants Association has l2ooVO oul-ol-
town members, and it is believed that
5O 600 names could be secured with niue
difficulty by the Richmond Association
DIR MERCHANTS INTERESTED.
The merchants of the city have entered
enthusiastically into the scheme A few
of them who were seen last night spoke
in the most sanguine terms of the pro-
nosed organization. Messrs. Fleischman
& Morris are most enthusiastic MI
l.. u. Norris is the chairman OF the COM
mittee.
Mr.. T. ID. Stokes says the plan has IN
finite advantages. Anything that con-
duces to the Improvement OF trade III
This city must meet with general APP
proval. As long as the proposed asso-
citation is not turned into Jackpot Tor
the benefit Of the friends of the few, 1t
will surely prove beneficial
Mr.. II. w. RountIee: The movement
is a good one. New York must be met
for she is straining every nerve TO at
tract the buyers. Some move must De
made at once,
Messrs. Wingo Elicit & Crump are
heartily in favor of the plan, and are
prepared to subscribe to it.
Messrs. Long & Riddick are in sym
pathy with the movement, though they
have not had time TO look into ITS feasl-
bility.
Messrs. Roberts g. Hoge said the plan
is n good one. Anything that will help
Richmond trade is very desirable. and
we shall be willing TO subscribe within
reason.
Others who spoke enthusiastically of
the proposed organization were: Watkins
& Cottren. w. T. Hancock, c. w. Antrim
& Sons, Slater, Myers & Co., Drewry,
Hughes & Co., and NJ. Millhser & Co.
THE NEW YORK; SCHEME.
The following letter from Mr.. r. a.
Dnnlop. secretary of the Chamber of
commerce, in reference to the above, ex-
I.ains itself:
Chamber Of Commerce,
Richmond, Va, July 10, 1881.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Your editorial Of this morning for the
purpose Of arousing the businessmen
of Richmond 10 greater efforts for pre-
serving and developing its trade relations
was urgently called for. i'm view of the
struggle for trade now being made by
some of the larger northern cities. The
recent organization of the Merchants
Association of New York, its novel fca-
ture of nonresident membership, and
the concessions procured i'm passenger
rates for this class of its members clear
~ indicates in that community full
earea of its necessities and also of its
mower and influence. We need not fear
in Richmond the result OF this move
ment If our people are true to themselves
and take an enlightened view of the situ-
alton; but If such a city as New York.
with it's varied facilities, and with its
vast business, which, in most cases. from
its volume alone, demands due considera-
tion. 50 fully recognizes the necessity for
extra organization and unusual effort II
should admonish every merchant and
manufacturer of Richmond that without
an equivalent expenditure of combined
energy. we will be guilty of such laches
asa community. that IL practically
amounts TO commercial sGicide.
The basis of this whole movement on
the mart Of New York consists or the
device of creating In the Merchants AS
sociation q nonresident membership and
sec,,riug the usual convention rates for
that class Of its members. whose tickets
will be issued upon what is known In
railroad parlance as the certificate plan.
This concession having been made TO
New York. Richmond, as to its trade, is
entitled TO like consideration, and you
,r,,lv say its merchants and manufac-
turers should not be satisfied until 1t is
accorded to them. This reduction OF
rates unouestionably creates a condition