The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-06-27

WHAT CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE PLANS
increased Membership Desired by
This Representative Body
SERVING RlcHMoND's IATEREs-.
Systematic Efforts VIII be Made .
Enlarge the Sphere OF Activity
aud Enlist Citizens
Cooperation.
SERVING RlCHM0ND's FNTERES-

The Richmond Chamber of Commerce,
which is the central bus ness organization
OF the city, uniting IL its membership rep
resentatives OF the tinauc.eriag, rnanufac-
turing and commercial interests of R:ch~
rnond. as we'll as number of puhlsc-spir-
tied citizens. Old and young. in profess
sionai and other walks OF life, is the recos-
nized medium through which Lae senti-
ment and influence of tie community
should be localized upon all matters re-
latsng to the business progress and well
fare Of the city. For the purpose OF ac-
comprising this most important mission
It has. besides its board ana officers and
directors, a number of standing commit
tees. whose functions. II diligently exer-
c!sed. should cover almost every quss-
ton of Importance with witch it is the
province OF the Chamber 10 deal.
In this connection the standtu. commit
tees are expected to not only carefully
consider and report upon all matters re-
fe-red to them. but they Should originate
business in their respective spheres OF ac-
ton. and it is likewise most desirable that
all members should pOmote the useful
ness of the organization by suggesting sub
jec,s which they think should enlist its
attention. Nothing would so greatly add
to the effective work OF the Chamber as
the active interest of all OF its individual
members. and this interest they are eN-
pected and earnestly desired to demon
strate, not only al the general meetings
of the Chamber, which they are invariably
urged TO attend. but also upon any and
all other occa ons.
MEMBERSHIP INCREASED.
Since the last annual meeting OF the
Chamber, January last. it has materially
increased It's membership, through ANAL
gau,atior with the Young Mems Business
Association and from other sources. so
ti,at it now numbers upon its rolls nearly
six hundred members. But this IS not
one-half Of one per cent. of the population
OF Richmond and its immediate en-
vironments and Il is felt that with over
1.2o0 Industrial establishments. over 200
jobbing houses. its numerous financial in
stitutions and agencies of various kinds.
its many and important eruporiums in It's
retail trade and Its large number of pros
porous professional men and capitalists
the membership OF the Chamber should at
least rhe not less than i,CC9.
This view of the matter is confirmed BY
a careful investigation recently made IN
DER the direction of the Chambers Com
mittee on Resident Membership, which dis
closed the fact that there were at least
four hundred names in the city directory
OF parties (most OF them business men)
who could well afford to belong TO the
Chamber. but who are not upon Its rolls
WANT LARGER BODY.
\ vigorous and systematic effort VIII.
therefore. be put forth in the immediate
futrrs to secure the number OF members
fixed upon as the proper standard, the
grea. industrial growth. commercial ac-
tivity and material development IN many
directions. and tho number OF important
question, confronting the community. as
q progressive one, justIfytng and requiring
both 4 much larger membership III ths
Chamber and an increased revenue 10
NEST the imperative demands now mads
upon IL.
The Chamber Of Commerce hopes that
the people OF Richmond will feel lively
and practical sympathy with the efforts
o. the Chamoer to serve the best interests
OF Richmond and that thew VIII lend IT
their cordial support. To enlist this in
teresc, it is proposed. under the direction
OF the Chambers Committee on Adver-
Using Mr. John Stewart Bryan, chairman,
to publish periodically hereafter a state
ment of the matters which are engaging
it's attention, and that Of its very tlnpor-
tant agency in transportation questions.
the Traffic Bureau. so that those wEo
should be and may be members hereafter.
as well as its present members, can he
made more intimately acquainted w III tho
work Of the Chamber and the Bureau. a5
q great deal is accomplished which does
no: o. necessity appear in tina regularly
published proceedings OF tho Chamber and
o. its Board OF Directors