The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-08

said that ne -egretted very much TO have
10 oppose the report OF tho JOINT coh'
mttce upon the ground that he could
not sec that thBanvunt tgcs csriNcd frOth
the new movement would Justify the eN-
pcnse. Hts love for the Ci amber OF
Commerce was too sincere TO agrco TOT
the organization to assume heavier duties
than IT could successfully perform. lie
could not see how the expense would be
borne. The Traffic Bureau which had
been established had done great
amount OF good. but IL had not been pro-
perly supported In the sense OF maintain
ing itself. lie did not think tho Chamber
should start on a new venture until the
organization could sustain tho one al
ready established. He thought IL would
be unwise TO Undertake such move
ment until il could be seen how the eN-
peBse necessary for the support or such
a bureau would come from.
Mr.. s w. Travers made an impressive
talk in which he advocated the necessity
of the business men of Richmond being
addressed to induce new enterprises 10
come here There was great need for a
revival in building up the city, and ne
thought the establishment OF this bu-
reau would greatly assist the Industrial
interests Of the city.
MIR. BRANCHS TALK.
MIR. JOnn JOnn l.. DidttH SAiNI-lF ai-
vocatcd the adoption Of the committees
report. He said that subscriptions paid
TO the establishment OF such a bureau
would be not a gift but a debt. IL was
the duty of those present tor whom
Richmond had done anything in a busi-
ness way TO help support such bureau.
manager Of such q bureau would be
able 10 direct the stranger where he
could get a suitable site for his plant at
a reasonable price.
Mr.. Branch said he thought the estab-
Ishment Of such n bureau would be
greatly helpful to the business interests
OF Richmond, and he himself would give
500 to start 1t and more IL necessary.
Mr. Virginius Newton followed Mr..
Branch. advocating the establishment OF
such n bureau. lie stated that II the
benefits were brought home 10 the people
they would be perfectly willing 10 support
such a department OF the chamber, "a wei
as others
President Hawes requested the secretary
20 read from Mr. John b. Purcell a pa
per which he had prepared 10 be read
before the meeting. inasmuch Mr.. Pur-
cell could not be present on account OF
another engagement. Mr.. Purcell eX-
pressed his opinion that IL would be Inn
practicable 10 establish the proposed bu-
reau under the present conditions.
JUDGE CHRISTIANS VIEWS.
Judge George L. Christian opposed tho
establishment Of the bureau. He thought
il would be a failure, In which event IL
would be far better not TO start Il. The
Committee on Manufactures Of the Cham
ber, assisted by Secgetsry Dunlop. could
do equally as much 10 accomplish the de-
sired end as could be done by promoter
5 proposed The duties OF this officer were
not explained by the committee, and until
there could be pointed out the practical
workings OF such a bureau he thought
the chamber should not adopt the report
OF the committee.
Mr.. Newton called upon Mr.. =. +.
Greenwood OF the Tredegar Works. 10
address the meeting. he advocated
strongly the Importance Of the chamber
taking some definite action along the line
proposed. He hoped the very best intel
ligcnce and conservative effort I'm the
Chamber would be brought 10 bear on the
question. and that something would hc
done TO promote the interests OF new man
ufaCturing enterprises In this city. lie
pointed out the Importance OF concerted
effort along this line. and appealed 20
those present to fali in line with "A move
ment similar To the one under cOnsidera-
ton. and show 10 the outside world what
Richmond has TO offer IN the interests OF
manufactures.
Colonel a. S. Buford also spoke I'm favor
Of the adoption Of the report OF the com
mittee. Colonel Buford spoke Of the inn
portance Of reviving the grain trade here
and the bringing OF cotton manufactures
and other industrial enterprises. II was
necessary TO employ a competent mouth
piece to 90 among the citizens and arouse
them TO concerted effort in promoting
new enterprises here.
Others who spoke We're Messrs Rose
well Page Bryce Stewart Hume. f. H.
Cloves. and l.. \. Catlin The latter
dwelt at some length upon the Importance
OF employing a competent man 10 Keep
in touch with those contemplating start
ing new enterprises here. as we'll as those
desiring 10 revive old enterprises and help
by Information about Richmond's s. adVan-
tages and otherwise 10 stimulate the IN
terest Of industrial affairs here.
ENADlNG THE LAW.
Mr. John II. Branch made another talk
In reply 10 the opponents of the measure
and. among other things, said that II
would be worth $1,000 10 the Chamber
OF Commerce II through its Industrial bu-
reau it could get some one 90 buy the
Talbot Iron Works and start up the
plant in full blast. with employment 20
80 people. This would mean support
for 300 people Money had been made
there. IL would not do 10 say there was
no money i'm RlchmOnds iron traffic.
Where is tho Tredegar?" he asked.
Look at the Richmond Locomotive ana
Machine Works. They lost money az hrst,
but they stuck 70 il. and now they are
making money fast. ! am told. You talk
about high taxation and laws here gov
crning the hours observed by workmen IN
factories. Well. / shall have something
10 say about this later, when the occasion
arises. I do not believe IL i5 right 70
have a law limiting the working hours 10
seven or eight If a man thinks he can
make more for himself and help his nnan-
clal condition by working ten or twelve
hours a day. / do not think he should be
prohibited / understand that the only
industries in the state
which are making any money are evading
the laws on that subject. Ihelr DOCKS
don't show n. but they are all the same.
n is moi my business TO tell you how they
are doing IT, Sufficient 10 say that they
are"
After some further informal discussion
on ne subject the report was adopted,
ana subscriptions were commenced for the