The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-15
1913 EAST BROAD STREET.

reference 90 a few of the matters engage
ing its attention viii serve 90 Illustrate.
During the year much of its time was
devoted TO matters of legislation where
they were of character 90 effect our
business interests Among the most I'M
p0rtdnt i'm the State Legislature were the
Opie and Withrow bills. relating 10 ass
sisnmeuts; the Bland Boiler Inspection
bill. the proposition TO abolish the De-
uartment of Agriculture and State Board
of Agriculture aud assign their duties 10
the virginia State Polytechnic Institute,
the Fellow Servants bill. lu Congress.
the question of Currency Reform; Larger
Appropriations for the Improvement "
James river and It's extension 90 the
head of navigation within our harDor
lines. a. bin To authorize and encourage
National Exposition at Philadelphia IN
1899; the Paris Exposition of 1900; the
War Revenue Bib.
other interesting questions were Consid-
cred, such as. The Improvement of ter
minal facilities at Richmond. including
the g. q .. NiaduCt and New DepOts,
more convenient schedules for travellers
TO and from territory near Richmond,
and for the distribution OF haonmof
papers. the use of the Exposition
Gr0usds. camp Lee for mobiizing
Virginia troops, the use of books cf
Southern Authors aud Publishers n me
Public Schools of the State. The cnc0ur-
agcment of the Richmond & Iidcwater
r. r.: the claims of the w. f. Irigs
Co.'s ship building enterprise. the Ques-
ton of ID Trades Parade for 1880. dId
the opening of a Horse Show 40 Rich-
mond Many such matters have been
disposed of. others arc stIl pending and
require the continued attention of the
Chamber.
TRAFFIC BUREAU.
I'm addition to- these general questions
and "a great amount OF routine work the
chamber Traffic Bureau is continuously
and ze4l0uslv looking after the interests
of the community. ass involved in the in-
trlcatc and difficult question of Transport
tation rates. I'm dealing with such mat
ters committees or representatives of the
chamber have frequently TO visit other
cities necessarily causing heavy drafts
upon the Treasury of the Chamber
with nearly every prospect most fat
tering ] sincerely regret the occasion
for illusion 10 any subject OF discour-
aging character but / feel that there
is an imperative official obligation upon
me TO do so.
During tho last year or so the Cham
Der has suffered serious falling OF
in its membership and the condition Of
ifs Treasury. and that Of the Traffic
Bureau has not only greatly handicap
ped and embarrassed its proceedings but
has proved TO some of Us very disheart-
eninC.
This was porhans in a measure 10 be
expected during such discouraging times
as those through which we have re-
comfy passed. but in my opinion il
should not be the case.
Too many OF us are prone under such
circumstances 10 narrow our sympa-
thies and lines of action. 90 become so
absorbed I'm our own immediate concerns
as 90 be sh0rt-sightcd lose public spirit
and cease 10 c0-oDerate in fostering the
common veal and promoting by greater
efforts those measures most conducive
20 healthy and prosperous conditions.
which would undoubtedly I'm the end
rebound many fold 20 our individual
benefit.
INTERESTS IDENTICAL
il there IS one truth taught by social
ethics more indisDutable than any other |
-One lesson more invariably learned |
from the experience of civilizatiOn-it is !
that our several interests are largely
bound up with and dependent for pros
perlty upon the interests Of Others: and !
yet in emergencies how often by our ac- |
uons we ignore these mandates of both |
reason ana experience 90 our Individual |
hurt and the injury Of the community.
ln just such times we should rally 20 !
such an organization as the Chamber and |
try by wise council and concerted action /,
20 paliate II we cannot entirely re- |
move. the evils from which the business !
of the community may be generally suf- !
fering. And at least II IS certain. that |
under no circumstances. if we each do |
our part will the demands OF the cham /,
Der, either upon our time or our means. |
De purdensome or prove detrimental 70 |
our best interests.
The conception Of the value OF n Cham |
Der OF Commerce is that It is the COM |
bined power and influence of its mem !
bers, localized upon matters OF general !
interest in the action OF its members |
u moves and lives and has its being. TO |
the extent to which. especially the busi- ,
ness men Of the community. are loyal and !
liberal I'm devoting their time and energy
their moral and financial supports such !
an organization, an effective power for |
good-in proportion as II is denied these |
essentials, II is weakened and rendered !
TO a greater or less degree yalucless.
IN is unreasonable illogical. almost sui
cidal, % create such Institutions as the |
Chamber OF Commerce and the Traffic /
Bureau and then not make the most OF |