The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-24
TOOK 4 PRACrICAn TURN.
The Chamber Proposes to Employ Pro-
motcr OF Now Lnternri.es.

motcr of New Enterprises.
Mr. Greemwoods talk. especially his
| account of what had been accomplished
| by patriotic Englishmcn in manufacture
| ing enterprises. greatly impressed the
audience. When he had taken his seat
President HAYES said the subject was
| t9cn 10 discussion and invited anyone
who felt an interest in the matter to give
his views.
Mr.. Ware +. Gay being called upon re-
| sponded. He said Richmond needed more
Of the spirit that ENCOURAGES home en-
terprises. lie kwcn this from persona!
experience. About one million dollars
had been invested by himself and friends
in this vicinity and yet Richmond people
would 90 to New York and elsewhere and
say the Richmond coal fields We're prdc-
tcally worthless. These fields had been
declared by the very best experts 10 Doe
as valuable as any i'm the world lhe
supply Of coal vas almost ineXhaustiDie.
Mr. Cav said he was not talking iu
complaining spirit for while Richmond
people. as rule did not appear 10 use
coal from tho fields near their CITY nus
company was getting along well and had
sold half q million tons OF coal recently.
Hc wanted il understood that his com
pany did not own all the coal land. There
was plenty more OF b..
Mr. Gay said i'm his opinion tho Cham
Der should have some decisive policy to-
ward bringing new enterprises here. The
TO advertise the advantages Richmond
had 10 offer For one. ne believed the
city had great wealth In its water pow
or
Mr.. Samuel REGISTER wanted 10 know
IL there was any reason why manuiac-
turers in this city should not use coal
mined near Richmond.
Mr.. Gay I'm reply said there was no
reason that he know of.
MIR. CATLIN'S VIEW.
4 e.
10 see the meeting take somewhat OF
practical turn. Such meetings should ne
held quarterly al least lie could JON
hands most heartily with Mr.. Greenwood
in the latter's views as 20 what should be
done.
Mr.. Catlin desired to see the products OF
home factories used by Richmond peo-
pie He asked all who would pledge them
selves 10 use flour made in Richmond 20
stand up. About one-third Of the audi
ence arose.
using flour made I'm Richmond all his HE
and had used none other.
Among those who stood mp was MI
James w. Gordon and he explained that
his vote was subject to the approval OF
the lady members of his family.
Mr.. Catlin SAID he always bought Rich
mOnd manufactured goods, even IL he had
10 pay little more for them. On one oc-
saciOn his cashier purchased certain pa
per boxes made I'm New York without his
knowledge He went 10 the Randolph
Paper Box Company and got the same
article for Sl.5D less per dozen.
EATS RICHMOND FLOUR.
Mr.. Nirginius Newton stated that ne
did not rise when Mr.. Catlin called for
the vote on the flour question, but he mad
been eating Richmond flour for the last
thirty years. He wanted the meeting TO
do something practical before 10 adjourn
ed. The Committee on New Enterprises
had no funds at its command and, there
fore. was i'm a position where 10 could ace
u
here. but Richmond wanted new enter
prlses. 10 needed enterprises that had sue
cecdeG olsewhere--the city being near the
cotton and coal fields. offered splendid adj
vantages for cotton factories.
MT. brentwood. MI. Newton SAID, should
be on a committee TO look out for new
enterprises. The speaker stated that ne
would be one 10 contribute 10 tund
which might bee used TO aid the commit
Tee in its work.
air. Gay SAM me would also be one to
contribute TO such a fund
MIR. :. Dabney CrenshaW was Of the
opinion that Richmond mad been rather
too conservative in the past. Many things
that should have been done had been leit
undone. The city did not have whole
sale clothing house until recently when
Messrs. A. Saks a Co. Were induced 10
open one. This nrm had promised 10
manufacture clothing here II its whole-
sale house succeeds.
Mr. Crenshaw said the chamber should
get good man 10 give his entire time
TO the work OF seeking To induce ncS
enterprises 10 locate here. lie would give
literally towards paying the salary OF
such a person. but me- wanted good
man-the very best to be had.
THE ONLY PRACTICAL WAY.
Mr.. Catlin said Mr.. Crenshaw had sug-
gested the only practical way Of accom-
pnshing anything. lie, too. would con-
tribute ana he thought tie salary Of the
promoter should be- at least $1,000 in or
der that a man Of brains might be SEE
cured for the position.
Manufacturers. Mr.. Thomas Christian
said. had been scared away from here
by the high price of real estate. lie knew
of "a firm which would have located here
but for the reason that the real estate
people wanted to charge too much for "a
site for q factory. The firm located in
ST. Louis and now employs 800 men.
Mr. John W. Gordon approved of the
idea of employing a promoter and OIL
fered to contribute.
Mr. Henry Is. Terry said cotton manu-
facturers were constantly going from New
England 10 the South looking out for
sites TO which they might remove their
factories. lie met on the train "a few days
ago manufacturer VINO wanted TO leave
Massachusetts,. The gentleman stopped
I'm Richmond 10 look at some sites here.
The encoura ring spirit manifested caus-
ed Mr.. :. w TraVers TO suggest that am
other meeting be held in two weeks and
every man present pledged himself 20 at
tend and 10 bring some friend with him.
ACTION TAKEN.
After some more discussion Mr. Trigg
moved that the Committee on New En-
terprises inquire into the eXpedlency OF
employing promoter and report in two
weeks. Jhls was adopted.
Ii was decided TO ask pledges OF the
gentlemen present TO a fund TO pay the
salary of a promoter and In a very snort
time the sum of $3.50 was subscribed.
At the next meeting refreshments VIII
be served.
EXEMPTION FROM TAXATION.
Mr.. Catlin moved that committee Of
five or ten be appointed from this Cham
Der TO wait on the incoming Legislature
and ask them 10 pass "a law relieving from
taxation all new enterprises, or old en-
terprises also. as may be thought best
by the committee. for as long "A time as
they can induce the Legislature TO do 50.
Mr.. REGISTER seconded the motion.
MIR. Julian Bryant thought that con-
stitutiOnal amendment would be neces-
sary before such law could be enacted;
that the Legislature would not have the
power TO pass such "A law.
In this Mr. Newton agreed with him.
Mr.. Catlin, however. said that ~ could
be done. If the people Of Richmond want
II done; that the constitutional prpfis-