Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-01
DEPRESSION ENABLES Us no SEE
UNFAvonARLE INFLUENCES.
CAREFUL STUDY OF LOCAL DEFECTS.
These should Serve nv Lessons for
the Tuture-fiov Our business
OF the Community.

unfavorable Influences which are local
In character. as distinguished from those
that are general. and which have affect
ed 50 adversely the business ana enter
prise Of the entire country.
To frankly consider the present situa-
ton Will. therefore. bc especially in
structNe. though ot altogether no
auctive OF scif-oomplacenoy. We/may
see things 10 be rcgrcttcd NJ impera-
lively demanding rcioJ~~~nough nothing
which should cause>~e,ection if we are
, ,nI,,,e,,, as .m~.(houid be- with a de-
termination - remove all possible OBJ
sta''es .yrhe way Of our future progress.
~ONSERVATINB AND WISE.
~ should be remembered that there
was q regular and remarkable growth
in almost every line OF business pur-
sued in Richmond from the time II nad
recovered fairly from the devastating
influences OF the war UP TO the year
lS93-and that this was so in spite OF
any uuwise methods or customs OF
which We had been guiity-indiViduallY
or as a community. That this marx
progress proved conclusively, in the race
OF the drawbacks under which We Ia
d
experience. etc, the intrinsic merit ana
vitality Of our justified the
wisdom of their location hcre-and es-
tablished the fact Of our natural 'adFail-
tages and facilities for Industrial ana
commercial development, in strong CON
trast VITA the short-lNed existence OF
similar enterprises where promoted bE
undergraduates OF other artlhclal IN
nuences. And it I'm no way detracts
Of
that OF late years say. since 1888, ieW'
II any. new ventures have been under
taken. but Is rather an evidence or our
sagacity, as the energy ana resources
OF our businessmen were most Wisey
devoted 10 sustaining. and whore oppol-
tunity admitted. developing, those they
had already established.
With the seasons throughout the coun-
try charac,erize frequently by strin-
gency In the mon market, dlsluIDdiic0
Of confidence contraction of credits uh-
satisfactory collections, curtailed demand
for products and merchandise. sharper
competition. declining tendencies IN
1rices-not only was there good reason
FOR not embagking upon new enterprises
but less business. less prOlt, ana, what
is TO be most lamented. less employment
for labor. was 20 be anticipated. Ana
these general conditions. Of course re-
aected themselves in idle plants closeu
stores. and untenanted residences, 10
greater or less extent i'm every part OF
the land
Is OUR LOCAL POLICY SOUND?
But the question is. Have these una
voidable symptoms Of bad times been az
an more pronounced here on account or
errors on our part, which might have
been avoided? Let us ask ourselves cam
didly-Has too much OF the profit former
" made here I'm business been
tied ny or lost i'm operations outside OF
Richmond. or sunk ID purely speculative
operations? Has too much in the aggre-
gate been invested in buildings, IN COM
parison with. or in proportion TO-, what
was reproGucNvely invested here in en-
terprises 10 suiain such supersuucture!
Has the expenditure for particular build
ings been too creat-out Of keeping with
the requirements and the means at our
command lO support themT Have our
rents and taxes both been too high 70 "a
nit Of the most reasonable cost OF living,
which cost is a final debit against net
profits and incomes? Have we content
ed ourselves too much with the attain
ment Of immediate success In our own
business. az individuals. and neglected,
as a community to be sufficiently active
and alert in looking out for the general
good and public welfare. and thus failed.
81 broadening and strengthening our base
of operations sufficiently TO Withstand
the combined forces OF outside cOmpe-
tition, ana the crucial test OF hard times
which come sooner or later, and so ruth
lessly illustrate the principle of the sur
vival OF the fittest?
The answer 10 these questions can be
left 10 those who have observed or re-
fected upon the recent condition of our
affairs Ii Is freely admitted that gene
raj causes operating throughout the en-
tire country. and over which we have no
exclusive control, have been most un-
favorable TO the welfare and progress OF
all communities. but the point Is, have
we sustained the ordeal as well as we
might have done, had our own line OF
policy in local matters been sOunder?
MUST HEED THE PEOPLES VOICE.
To tho general causes Of depression the
course Of events has directed most
earnes, and profound attention, AID en-
forced recognition of the fact that radi-
cal defects exist In our monetary 81 stem
and other general laws vitality affecting
all material interests. Both the people
and their representatives have been ad-
rnonished that remedial legislation must
be had. And with confidence In the coun-
try, its institutions, and people II IS FAR
20 assume that those causes Of evil Will be
greatly amel!Orated.
It. then. behooves us 70 promptly take
such measures as VIII correct any un-
favorable factors over which as com
mupity We have immediate control Such
lessons az have been taught by eXpe-
rience should direct us 10 a wiser course
for the future. so that we may be ready
upon return Of more prosperous times
10 regain fully any lost opportunities and
achieve healthier. more symmetrical
IaxfaTpurn4rtf
The usual statistical figures for me year
are not as yet at hand but the asser-
ton may be ventured. that the showing
will bear favorable comparison with most
other places, and al things taken into
consideration. be better than many OF
us, who feel such a profound concern IN
Z the subject and may have become dis
spirited. are apt 10 anticipate.
The Chamber in its affairs has sensibly
felt the conditions affecting the interests
IL seeks TO subserve; but Il has thought
Il all the more incumbent TO be Jealous
IN doing whatever came within its pro-
vince or the range Of its opportunities.
In all matters relating TO an Increase
OF the transportation facilities and ad-
vantages OF Richmond-a most essential
question at all times. but pre-eminehtly
so at present-it has been vigilant and
active through its efficient Traffic Ru-
TfaQ, an agency idllNi9 tlbNiHh ia iA0
practical uses and value 10 our merchants
and manufacturers.
The Board Of Officers and Directors OF
the Chamber and its committees have
omitted no opportunity 10 advertise. I'm
every way possible. the resources and
advantages Of the city, and 10 invite en-
terpAses from abroad
In promoting the general business
interests Of tho community; In consider
ing all matters OF legislation when they