Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-08
FOR THE CITY'S GOOD
PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS THE
PROMOTION OF PROSPERITY.
HEED BETTER RAILROAD FACILITIES,
hessrs. Ainsiie & Webster Draw
the Chamber OF Commcrce's Attcn-
uon to This Important Subject
other business of the Body.


o'clock: Present: 8. Il. Halves. presi-
dent; S. W. Travcrs. first vice-prehdent;
Il. w. Powers, second vlce-president;
and Mossrs. r. Y. Arlington, Jr., r. s.
Christian, II. J.. Cabell. william c.
Camp, Jackson Guy. James r. Gordon,
Jacob Cans. G. d. Larus, s. ". Price,
S. II. Puliam r. /. Taylor. Leon Wal
! lerstein, ana c. ID. Wingncld. directors.
The president reported 10 the board the
appointment Of Messrs. s. W. Travers
and w. r. Trigg to attend the monetary
convention, at indianapolis, the 18th in
slant.
MIR. Travers, chairman Of the joint
/ committee for the Chamber and Clear
/ ing-House Association. reported that Hon.
Joseph IT, Walker. chairman Of the
/ House Committee on Banking and Cur
rency had accepted the invitation of the
two bodies TO address them on the cur
rency question Monday evening, the
| 18th. and that due notice would be given
of the hour at which the address would
be delivered.
WHAT WILL BRING PROSPERITY
Mr. Jackson Guy. chairman of the spe-
I
the Chamber reported that HIS commit
tee had decided that it would be desirable
10 have a meeting this month, Of which
future notice would be given for the dis
cussion Of the question; "What measures
can be adopted by the community in 1897
to best promote its prosperity?'
The committee congratulated itself upon
having secured the consent of the fol-
lowing gentlemen TO speak on the occa-
sion:
Colonel Archer Anderson, whose re-
marks would be directed especially 70
what will be most conducive to the de-
velopment OF the manufacturing interests
IN Richmond.
Mr.. r. w. Powers, who would give his
attention 10 what was most essential 10
the extension and promotion Of the COM
mercial interests Of the community.
Hon. Beverley 3. Munford, who
would consider the condition of our mu-
nicipal affairs. and the necessity Of re-
trenohment and reform in its connection
with the growth and prosperity of the
city.
BETTER FACILITIES NEEDED.
The secretary laid before the board the
following communication from Messrs.
Ainsle & Webster, managers Of the JEFF
ferson Hotel;
IlclilOnls de- JANUARY = AN"is
To the Chamber of Commerce, Richmond,
Va:
We desire TO call the attention Of your
honorable body to the accompany
ing schedule OF the south-bound
train Of the Atlantic-Coast Line,
known as the "New York and
Florida Special" by which you viii OBJ
serve that this goodly city of Richmond
is deprived of the privileges accorded to
other cities along the route between New
York and ST. Augustine, inasmuch as the
train does not come into the city 10 leave
or take passengers. You VIII observe the
schedule of time is so arranged That II
this train did come into the city IT would
be at an hour when no one would care
to alight or take passage. You will OBJ
serve that this same train north-bound
arrives in Richmond at ESQ a. NJ. Now,
if passengers on this train desire to stop
here they must begin TO prepare them
selves at $50. an hour when most people
prefer not to be disturbed. We have had
considerable experience in hotel business
in Florida. and we can testify that the
bulk of the travel is composed of middle
aged and elderly people, who do not like
TO be routed out before daylight, even
TO see Richmond and rather than be
disturbed, will pass on 10 Washington TO
break their Journey We can also state
that this very point of bad hours concern
ing Richmond was brought up 10 us
many times, together with the character
Of the hotels. We are not aware that the
city Of Richmond is OF any lesser i'm
portance than any other point touched by
this train, that is destined TO eliminate
much travel from this fair city, simply
because it does not come within its gates
and if it did no one would leave or take
it at an unseemly hour.
a VERY IMPORTANT MATTER.
This matter was brought to your at
tentiOn about n year ago. at which time
your Transportation Committee gave the
subject considerable Investigation, but we
fear they did not realize the importance
of not only good railroad facilities and
accommodations. but that the very best
are absolutely necessary to the success
of every enterprise into which the for
tunes of the citizens are at risk.
Whereas. the businessman seems 10
be- content with the accommodations
now offered for the transportation of his
goods and himself. we, as hotel-men.
feel we are embarked in an enterprise
that reaches beyond local lines, that 10
entertain in an acceptable manner the
tourist. traveller, and commercial rep
resentative is not all; but we must
spread out the attractions Of Richmond
as a merchant his wares, and who will
say that the best, and only the best,
railroad facilities are the least Of these.
Statistics will tell you that the growth
of some of the largest cities of the
earth is due wholly to the facilities for
transportation offered by enterprising
railroad and steamboat managers and
we believe every effort should be made
to attract the tourist who may be a
merchant, capitalist, or professor, know
ing that every dollar they leave here Is
Just so much fresh capital added TO the
general fund now embarked In business,
Therefore, we ask you to use the infu-
ence Of your honorable body in bring
ing every train on every railroad having
a location here into this enterprising
and beautiful city at time, or as near |
to it, that will be Of the greatest value !
and convenience to the incoming and |
outgoing tide Of travel at this particular /
season Of the year. Yours truly,
AINSLIE & WEBSTER,
Managers.
The communication was, upon motion, |
referred TO the Committee on Inland /
Trade. with the request that 1t take the /
subject up Immediately and use its hest |
efforts 10 have such arrangements made /
as will afford the travelling public con-
venient opportunity for stopping at /
Richmond.
TO ISSUE AN ADDRESS.
The views expressed in the editorials /
and communications which have recent
" appeared In the city papers were
then discussed by Messrs. Cans, Travers,
Puliam, Powers, and
others. and the president of the Cham
Der was requested 10 address commu-
nication embodying the views Of the
board upon some Of the suggestions
which have been made.