Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-01-09
The Chamber of Commerce nn6
manufactures.
Richmond. Va, January S, 1881.


To the Editor of the Dispatch:
Your editorial of the Sd instant. head
ed. "a New Club Needed" as well as
others upon the same line. and the va
rious communications in the Dispatch o,
June 1st and subsequent issues, have
been noted with much interest.
The suggestion Of a new organization
a "Public-Spirit Club" however, appears
10 be unfortunate.
With the Tobacco Exchange, Grain and
Cotton. and Produce Exchange. the
Wholesale Grocers' associations. the Drug
gists' associations. the Travellers Protec
tive Association. the Chamber of Com
merce the Traffic Bureau, Ct id genus
omne organized or domicled here, W,
think il unnecessary TO multiply organi-
cations any further; but, most essential
TO strengthen those which we have u
every way possible and any one at al
familiar with the extreme difficulty eN-
nerienced in securing the sinews Of war
with which to effectively conduct the ope-
rations of those we have already viii
keenly appreciate the vital necessary ioi
tho latter course.
Consequently. there appears no need o.
q new club, but abundant room for pub
lie spirit" on the part OF those who DO
not belong 10 organizations Of this char
acter. and also on the part of some VINO
do belong. If all who are eligible 10 such
associations. by reason Of their Interest
nc citizens. businessmen. or other con
siderations. would join them. contribute
as they should to their support. attend
their meetings. and actively participate
IN their actual work, an impulse wouie
be given to the progress of our affairs
which would overcome all difficulties
which human agencies could control or re
move.
From the statistics of manufactures. ir
vour issues Of January l. 1885, and Jan
nary /. 1856. it appears that there was
The first year $50 establishments; 1878
hands employed: $lel63,Oo0 capital invest
ed. $50. 600 sales, or output The Sc
cond wear 1880. 9Si establishments; l6,SS
hands employed. SIG 275,75e capital invest
ed; 81 500 6G5 output.
So that i'm 1856 we had an increase OF
o5 establishments. accompanied by =
slight increase I'm the aggregate OF capt
tai employed quite a remarkable showing
for these times.
But we had IA decrease Of 1.2H in the
nunber of hands employed. though IL Is
safe 10 SAY our lbIN. lAici HtiH iiA'f''tt''NN
From this comparison. ii appears thai
the decrease in employment has been due
10 the condition OF business rather thar
10 the number of enterprises), and thai
In this respect Richmond has suffered IN
common with all other centres OF manu-
| facturc.
The Chamber has i'm no degree allowed
the times to lessen it's efforts to Judicious
| Iv encourage the establishment OF
new industries, but this effort should
be wisely directed, as failures are mor'
than ever TO be avoided, if possible, bu
il is useless and misleading 10 disguis'
the fact that the period just passed ha
been unfavorable for large undertaking
I'm this direction. II has, therefore. Wit
greater zeal than ever before. and !
| is proud TO say. in several ways, success
| fully directed attention 10 the improve
| ment OF the local conditions afiecunl
| business. It's meetings. contrary 10 tn
| abatement OF one Of your correspondents
perseverance" have been followed b.
action and results. 1t has directed ut