The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31
A BUSY AND
PICTURESQUE CITY
The Wonderful People Of Richmond
Have Made Il.
ALL IS ATTRIBUTED TO THEM
What Will Build Up the Mercantile
and Industrial Interests is Dis
cussed by Prominent Men.
The Retail Trade.
ALL IS ATTRIBUTED TO THEM


, required for one 10 see that Richmond -
energetic. progressive and thoroughly
alive and up-to-date city. At least. that
is the consensus OF opinion Of several OF
The most prominent business men with
whom | talked last nign.. ia fact. u
awakening the city Fathers Of other cities
OF the land at its astounding multiplicity
OF manufacturing industries, railroads.
ship-building, street railways, education
al institutions, wholesale and retail con-
Germs, -four mills, electrc-lieht pants,
and other great and important Industries.
Richmond holds to-day one of tho most
conspicuous places among the business
records OF the country. 1t stands pre-
eminentfy the greatest city OF the SOUTH
not because of It's war record; not be-
cause it was bulk uD out Of the ruins
since the Civil War: not because It was
the capital of the Confederacy, nor the
place of Patrick Henrys famous speech
but II is all simply because the Richmond
people Of to-day have the keenest insight OF
everything that will tend to build up and
make the city greater In the eyes Of the
American people. And the best OF II all
Is that they do not go about thing with
that reckless feeling Of ebulision and con-
ceted pride as Is characteristic OF citi-
zens of some other cities. But everything
GREATER INDUSTRIES.
Mr.. Alexander Meyer OF the we'll
known firm Of Julius Meyers Sons, was
seen last night When asked about what
he thought would be the best thing or
things 10 build UP the mercantile and in
dustrla interests Of Richmond. Mr.. Meyer
said:
1--WE should have a man who IL paid
to look after the interests of the city.
would call him al promoter, who would
devote his entire time and attention In
laying before manufactures the benefits
OF locating in Richmond. and keep on the
lookout for new industries about to be
established and lay before them the adj
vantages of locating In Richmond. This
has always been pet scheme OF mine.
and I think II ia good one.
There is nothing like bringing indus
tries here, except the running of excur-
sions from all over the State. with the
lowest rates possible. in order that those
who have shopping TO do may be enabled
10 come 20 Richmond to buy their goods.
| think that the establishment Of lower
rates on all railroads running into Rich
mord. for shopping people. would bring
about the desired eject.
Speaking OF industries, believe in
extending those already here and putting
more AT their back"
ENCOURAGE HOME ENTERPRISES.
Mr.. o. III. Berry. % .. IT, Berry 2 Co,
was seen Yesterday and when asked what
he thought would build Jp the mertan-
tile and Industrial interests o. Richmond.
said:
well. I can tell you in 4 'sry few
words.
Encourage home enterprises and keep
money at home.
"Offer manufacturing enterprises IN
ducements in the way OF sites power and
help"
NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING
Mr.. Rhoads. Of Miller & Rhoads. says:
1--WE want TO continue the prosperity for
Richmond for 1900 that began in 1883,
and the way TO do it is TO talk up our
city and advertise It all over the coun-
try. one Of the chief factors in the
gworth Of Atlanta was the enormous adj
yertislng and prominence II got through
her enterprsns newspapers. This very
important work should be taken up by
the Chamber OF Commerce and pushed
thoroughly and vigorously. Every man
ufacturing plant we now have should be
thoroughly written up and illustrated
and through a flrst-class medium adver-
tised throughout the length and breadth
Of our country.
WHAT NORTHERNHRS SEE.
Northern men are constantly passing
through our city ell route to the South
and West, and our facilities for manufac-
turing should be placed in their hands In
the best possible manner. IL will pay
we'll 10 spend considerable money in
this direction. We should encourage
new Industries, but we should particular
~ endeavor TO encourage those we al
ready have: try to bring them more bus
mess. so that they can enlarge their
plants-that would speak volumes for
Richmond. She newspapers and the citi-
gems Of Richmond should ever'ast.ngly
talk Richmond al home and abroad. our
will enthuse others. To get
this enthusiasm We must post ourselves
and be able 10 present facts Every clti-
zen should be In possession of pocket
containing a brief state
ment OF the capacity and output CT our
Industries. This the Chamber of COM
merce should compile for free distribu
tion to citizens and visitors and people
Usssing through our city, and il should
be brief and attractive enough 10 make
e, erybody want 10 read u. When man
passes through Richmond he is thlnking
about Richmond, and 1t Is probably the
lppermost thought In his mind and that
IL the time TO present facts and :igrits;
he will read and consider and the inn
preston will be good because the mind is
IN a proper state to receive II.
EXPOSITION NEEDED.
I'm addition 10 the circulating medium
OF advertising, we should have an expo
sition at home 10 exhibit TO the country
our manufactured products and draw
people 10 our city
Richmond should also have Textile
School 10 teach the art CT designing
and weaving OF fabrics. that we may
have the material here TO establish fac
tories 20 convert our raw materials
cotton and wool-into products ready for
the iobber and retailer"
WHY THE GREAT GROWTH?
Mr.. W. L. Slater, OF alter. Myers a
Co.. says:
1.-The mercantile trade Of Richmond. by
actual comparative statements with 9TH
pr cities OF the South. is on the Increase.
and the growth OF II has been steady.
The question very naturally arises. why
this GROWTH And Is easily answered.
'1st.-Because the business men Of to-
lay are ahead OF their predecessors in
as 20 the best methods to DO
employed In the conduct of their busi-
ness.
'2d.-Because greater care IL exercised
m ascertairing the standing OF the buyer.
and fixing a line OF credit for each, in
which undertaking. the very ably man.