The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-08-01

trade excursions for the merchants. bus
mess men and farmers OF the South 10
Richmond.
1t is a plan worthy o; the most intelli-
gent thought, in which the commercial
and business interests OF the city are
closely concerned, and should It's con-
summation be assured, would bear fruits
perpetually
The Chamber OF Commerce recently de-
clded to give series of excursions INTO
Richmond from various points In the
South to bring active business men 10 see
and appreciate the unrivalled Advantages
of the city. 10 entertain the visitors VINO
might come, and to send them away with
a true impression of the city.
It is the same scheme of advertising
which. twenty years ago sowed the seeds
OF Chlcagos metropolitanism; which built
up Cincinnati and st. Louis, and which
as late as the beginning Of the present de-
cada gave Atlanta the boost that Is
destined to make her one OF the foremost
cities that dot the shores OF tho broad
Atlantic.
Such are the laudable desires OF Rich
mond's hustling self-sacrihcing Chamber
OF Commerce, but It seems that the plan
has been blocked in its inception by rule
Of the Southeastern Traffic Association
which declares against the granting OF
excursion rates to points beyond three
hundred miles.
The first Of this series OF trade excur-
sions was 90 have been run from Green
Vile. S. c., three hundred and eighty
miles away, but this eighty mile beyond
the three hundred IS the mote I'm the eye OF
tho Chamber OF Commerce.
A committee Of thirty members Of the
Chamber are working up the mater or
the trade excursions and yesterday morn
ing the cor. mittee held a lcngthy session.
IN, which were submitted the reports or
several subcommittee appoia-1d to as
certain the opinions Of sobbers and manu-
facturers on the plan.
All the reports showed that the scheme
was meeting with he greatest favor ana
that the amount decided upon as neces-
sarv TO meet the requirements OF the
plan was Immediately forthcoming.
But the committee wished the railroads
10 take hold OF the excursion end OF the
plan while it would attend to all other
accessories. but rs yet the roads have not
seen IL that way. and UP TO late hour
last night all efforts with this object In
view had resulted in naught.
That the committee IS plucky and un-
daunted by the inability or the roads 10
cooperate as is desired in the plan Ia
eloduently evidenced in the promputude
with which they have raised the amount
of cold cash necessary 10 charter train
for the first excursion.
Mr. r. 4. Dunlop. secretary OF the
Chamber has been instructed TO reach
the railroads. and Yesterday he held n
long conference with the General Pas
senger Agent W. A. Turk Of the South
ern Railroad IN the hope OF securing the
desired cooperation Of the railroad au'
thorities. but. II is understood, without
success.
What the Excursion Committee hopes
FOR IS that the railroads viii cease 10 hold
the Chamber in no higher light than that
OF individuals asking concessions.
The committee has not lost hope OF
getting the aid Of the roads. It's mem
bers are strongly imbued with the project
and will spare no efforts 10 carry 1t to
success
Such IS the status OF the matter up 10
midnight Mr.. Morris was seen by n re-
porter at his home at that time and re-
lterated the hopes and objects of the
committee Of which he Is chairman.
He stated that the excursion plan rested
wholly with tho railroads. that In the
event Of their not coming 10 the rescue
II would probably have 70 he abandoned
10 the city's great loss.
other Southern cities were trying for
the same thing with hopes ~ success. and
there was no reason that the roads should
not aid-even offer inducements TO the
carrying out Of the plan