The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-31
Views Of the President Of the Cham
Der of Commerce.
GREAT PROGRESS LAST YEAR.
The Improvement Was all Aiorg the
Line. and There is Every Reason to
Look for Particularly Prosper
Gus Year in all Branches.

slr.-complylng With your request OF
Recent dale and following the time
honored custom for the President OF the
Chamber OF Commerce 10 give TO the
Richmond press at the close or edch
year a paper touching upon our cry
uegrsss and prospects. / beg leave to
submit the following
l SHALL not attempt 10 name In detaii
numerous and inpor .ant industries that
have been started. OF enlarged. IN the
year 1893 Many OF them wefe named by
one of our directors. the Hon b. -
Mupford, al a recent meeting OF the
Chamber. and published the following DAY
By the Richmond papers. / would ada
that the Chambers Committee on sta
slstics IS now preparing phamphlet
rettlng forth in detail the unprecedented
deeeioprn Mt Of enterprise IN Richmond
during the year now ending
rtcrcfJre. / Deem DO ntfe AIRY u 'oi"-
ment only on few OF Ih5 most inpor-
tant. and 20 exrress certain general views
Of the situation.
GENERAL PROSPERITY
That the tide Of prosperity, which be-
came 80 marked throughout the United
states AZ the close of 1895 would con-
tinue during 1899 and increase IN volume
Was condentlg expected and predicted in
nv paper OF year ago, and this ex-
ptctatiCn has in nearly every instance
been realized. That Richmond would
fully share in the benefits Of this bust
ness revival, no one doubted. and conse-
euen.lv we are prepared TO find that
our iobhlng trade has increased during
the present year about 70 per cent, the
OUTPUT of our manufacturers nearly 10
pr- cent. the force OF hands employed
IN the factories over % l-2 per cent, our
hank clearings about q per cent. and that
the volume Of traffic has heavily taxed
the facilities OF most ~ the transporta-
ton companies doing business here, whose
gross earnings from this ana other sources
have reen unprecedentcdly large.
These general features. showing great
activity IN our commercial and manniac-
turing affairs are. however by no means
the most striking indications OF progress
The number OF great projects now being
iegeioped in our midst. the large plants
for various purposes already under con-
struction. or being planned, and the usu-
al activity in building generally, are even
more significant OF permanent advance
ment
RAJ, ROAD DEVELOPMENT.
There Is hardly railroad company
r'th terminal facilities az Richmond
which has not found it necessary. TO
greater or less extent. TO take some
rs for adding 10 its capaclty for hand
Ing traffic. II Is especially interesting
10 note that the c. and o. Railway Com
pany j. now, I'm conjunction With the Rich
mond. Petersburg and Carolina railroad,
about 20 construct a new aud handsome
depot on.Main street. with the costly APP
proachcs thereto already under con-
atructlon. q problem which has con-
-sres,s@d-ihe former road for number II
years. The r.. p. and C.. TO reach this
Masn street depot and 20 enter Richmond.
Il now building an expensive bridge over
James river. TO connect with its elevated
sti.ucture 10 the depot This Drdge
James at or near Richmond. in addition
will make the seventh one spanning the
Ianics at or near Richmond, In addition
10 the c. and O. viaduet. which runs
,,araI 81 witt tSe course OF the river from
q point above the Tredegar Works until
Il leaves the bed OF the river. TO connect
with its penInsular division by viaduct
down Woter street and 20 reach the Main
street depot Il may also be mentioned
that the Southern Railway s. now erecting
a new naseencer depot. which VIII sup
ply long felt want by both that com
pany and the travelling public OF Rich
mond.
Indeed, the bed OF James river and
81 northern bank present a scene OF the
greatest interest and activity.
BIG ENTERPRISES.
The value OF the river Is being eNenlpii-
ned to remarkable degree by two great
ente rnrises. The first Is the establishment
at the old site % the Haxall-Crenshaw
Mills OF a plant for electrically develop
ing the great water power OF tho James
river which will AFFORD hereafter faciii-
ties for most readily establishing all
industries in which this power can De
mosi conveniently utilized.
The second IS the establishment and
Vveiopment Of the shipbuilding plant Of
IN w. r. Trlgg Co, now constructing
three torpedo boats and two torpe-
do boat destroyers Tor the general govern
nent. under contract 20 build govern
ment cruiser and 1t has been reported
that they have received INQUIRIES from par
ties wishing them to build two 5000 ton
vessels for commercial. purposes. This
shipbulld.ng enterprise. undertaken with
a bold but intelligent appreciation Of the
advantages OF Richmond. has inspired
the profound confidence OF The communi-
~ In the importance OF James river and
has given so great an Impulse 10 The
movement 20 expedite ifs Improvement
that II Is hopei and believed that this
National work Will be pushed with Wig
or and probably completed In the near
future.
As already stated. undertakings or
great merit and magnitude might 90
refefred 10. but as they win doubtless ap-
psar in your list OF manufacturing and
commercial establishments and be es-
peciaiiy treated Of elsewhere in your coll
unns Il f. not necessary 70 make spe-
ciai reference 20 them here.
NEW TRUNK LINE.
II Is pertinent however. TO revert to
The Richmond. Petersburg and Carolina
railroad heretofore mentioned in connec-
ton with the new MAR Street depot but
now with respect 10 It's projected connec-
tioa and consolidation with the seaboard
Air Line System. which system has near
~ tripled It's mileage under Us new ad-
ministratlon This ia a project Of such
moment that It Is quite impossible TO
retasure IS importance 20 this city ana its
commercial Interests. Since the develop
,Asnt OF the old Richmond and Danville
railroad into Southern system. which
finally PASSED from the ownership and
control OF lis Richmond projectors. no
event Of greater Importance 10 Richmond
has occurred IN railroad circles. As
sysfsm OF over 1850 miles, with additional
ana important lines projected making
1fs most northern terminus al Richmond.
{xith Richmond man az rs head. ano
win. other prominent citizens OF this place
fc.reetors OF the roads to constitute the