The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-15
AN INTERESTING
ANNUAL REPORT.
Paper Submitted to the Chamber of
Commerce by Its President.
THE LIVE ISSUES OF THE DAY,
Mr.. s. w. Travcrs Discusses Them i'm "A
Clear aud Interesting Manncr-A
Tribute TO the Memory of
Rev. Dir, H0ge.

At tho annual meeting off Tho Cham
o.r off Commerce Thursday night lrnsl-
ueut S. 49, TraNors. who was reelected,
made most interesting annual report
iu which ne dealt fully and l0rcihly with
questions of interest to the city OF Rich
mond iis report follows
THE PRESIDENT $ REPORT
Gentlemen.
m submitting OBJ, thirty-frst annual
report of our Chamber. i desire to express
sincere rcgret that. in consequence of 81
prolonged spell of illness and subsequent
absence 81 was impossible for mc during
much of mv term of office as President
tD devote that attention to the work of
the chamber which had confidently eN-
pccfcd to do when accepting SO high aad
important a. TRUST
but this rcgrct is happily tempered by
che conviction. that the interests which
the Chamber ubservCs Boo no degree suf-
fcred ON Doc contrary I feel Well ass
surod Chat during my inability 10 act our
worthy vicc-prosident Mr.. T.. =. Morris.
as presiding officer. ably seconded by the
Board of Officers and Directors. conduct
cd its work with AN the zeal and hdcl-
ifv for which he is so Well noted In all
of dis undertakings.
IMPROVED CONDITIONS.
Tho encouraging record of the year
tust passed and the auspicious outlook
Tor the future are doubtless subjects for
univeral qualification but especially are
they so % members OF this organization
on account Of IT'S close touch and SYM
pathv with every business interest of the
community. ] heartily congratulate my
fcllow-membcrs that on tho occasion OF
our annual meeting We have such good
reasons to fsol assured OF The advent of
better lmcs
All indications point TO an improvement
so decided that in greater orr less dee
gree BE- should pcrmcato and quicken
every branch and industry in our midst
During the process of recuperatiOn from
the great depression following 1902 It was
not 90 be supposed that our city could
chronicle amy very marked Developments
The boom period which eliminated
about the1 time. had like a wasting fee
Ver consumed much of the wealth and
business energy OF the country. shaken
confidence and almost palsiod enterprise
Our hountiful resources could be de-
pended upon 20 eventually repair this
waste and under wise management TO
bring about more prosperous and healthy
conditions. but until then. am the at
tention forutudc and perseverance, Of
business men We're FOR the most part
required 90 maintain existing enterprises
and there was an indisp0giu0n 90 UNDER
take an new ventures Fortunately now
q series OF good crops and an incrcas sing
demand for both raw and manufactured
products. az home as we'll as abroad.
have SO Improved conditions that last
year compares favorabiv with any en-
the history of the country as 20 the vol
ume of business and the restored conf
dence and revival spirit of enterprise are
probably oven more striking and marked
characteristics of the wear
SOME STATISTICS.
As Tho papers o. the LIST inst so fully
and cncouracingly furnish not only the
statistic OF iS9S. but also the record OF
"a number OF now and most important
enterprises already started or in contem
p'0uon at Richmond. 10 viii be unneces-
sary FOR me to capiulate those state
monis but with a passing Illusion 20
these happy changes. I beg 10 call your
attention 20 the affairs OF tho Chamber
itself
OnIEcrS or TIE CHAMBER
Tho chief mission of tho Chamber. as
indicated by the declaration Of its objects
S. by unity Of action 90 fully protect and
develop the commercial and manufac-
turing interests OF Richmond and pro-
mote the general progress and prosper
ltv of the community. To achieve this
mission IL needs The generous cO-opera-
SION NJ every business man and good cit
izcn ~ Richmond ITS work Is Of a varied
sud often expensive character. Brief