Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-15
WEDNESDAY......MA MARCH II, 1899.
BETTER SCHEDULES WANTED.

The author Of the following letter,
which we rcpublish. is an active and in
telligent businessman, who does a great
deal Of travelling for his house, and who
writes from personal observation. and
therefore knows whereof he speaks when
he declares that the present schedules
for outgoing morning trains are hurtful,
60 Richmopds interests:
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Your editorial this morning on the con-
dtion of the facilities afforded this city
for the delivery OF it's newspapers is'both
timely and TO the point. "Shall we longer
endure this monumental injustice 10 Rich
mOnd and her growing business inter-
csts?" The writer has long and earnestly
desired change in the present condition,
which he sees in the schedules South.
where no Richmond papers are handled
by ncwsdealcrs.
Richmond is to-day on the eve Of
great industrial improvement. How can
we ever hope TO advertise this fact or
make Il known To those we wish Go reach
81 the press Of this city has no means of
reaching the public? The time has come
for the businessmen OF the city vigorous
~ to push this matter in which we are
all so vitality interested. Let US formu-
late plan and cooperate with the
Chamber of Commerce ana the Young
Mems Business Association. The rail-
roads must treat us in a spirit OF fair
ness. There are obligations to this city
and State they cannot ignore. and the
shipping and business interests will rapid
~ advance when once the wrong is adj
justed. BUSINESS.
March 10th.
Well said. To those who think il is
useless" to "kick' against existing
schedules because the making or chang
ing Of a timetable is a difficult ana intri-
cate piece Of work. we would say there
are 10 obstacles in the way, which can
not be overcome in tme-if the railway
companies will stand up for Richmond's
rights as they should do.
The public would be satisfied with a
policy OF gradual but certain improve
ment; but instead of looking forward to
Improvements. of late we have been under
constant apprehension that still more I'M
favorable schedules would be announced
"a some one or more of the roads. SO,
IN making and reterating our complaints
we hope not only to stop further deterio-
ration in the service, but cause the inau-
guration of Just policy.
The first thing necessary IS TO draw the
attention of the public TO the dsad-
vantageous schedules Then, when the
people know the extent of the injury done
them. the force of public opinion should
be exerted In a direction where it will
probably be effective.
our Chamber of Commerce has not
viewed this matter with unconcern: far
from it, The subject has been discussed
there and given In charge of a committee;
but really the question has been little un-
derstood by the public, or the railroad
companies themselves. For our part we
own that not until we had made a sum-
mary of the schedules of the outgoing
morning trains did we know the far
reaching extont of the disadvantages I'M
der which our city labors. When discus
sion has ripened the interest OF the pub
lie and permitted fuller information 10
be gathered from various sources, we feel
sure that the Chamber of Commerce will
adopt a course Of procedure which will
be satisfactory TO the community More
over. we believe the Chamber will have
the support OF the Young Mems Business
Association. the Travellers Protective
Association. the Tobacco Exchange, the
Grain and Cotton Exchange. &c. The
City Council. too. we may hope Will exert
its influence in the same direction.
our correspondent is correct in stating
that all our business-men are interested
in this matter. Undoubtedly they are. a
train that Is late in starting out from
here not only holds back the mails. but
holds back tie druinmers and other bust
ness-men. And for many of these the re-
suit is that two days time must be con-
sumed in travel and work which under
suitable circumstances might be done in
one day.
So far as the gain in dollars and cents
Is concerned. our businessmen are vastly
more interested In this matter than the
newspapers are. The profit OF our IN
creased circulation would be a mere baga-
mond prospers. Therein Hes our interest!
On the other hand our merchants need
never look for large accessions to their
trade territory unless they can have the
aid OF the Richmond papers in that ter
ritory
All we ask Ct the railway companies
is to recognize the fact that Richmond is
city Of some importance. and that With