The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-01

Z Work Co, the Southern Shops, the Viz
Z nia-Carolina Chemical Co., Stacy Mat
tress Factory. Allegheny Box Factory,
Electrical Machine Co.. Stephen Putnes
&; Co., Eureka Furniture Co, the Man
chester Shirt Factory, the Manchester
Trunk Factory, the Standard Oil Co.,
George E. Reford Brick Co. and Davis
Brick Co. Manchester Feed Mills, w. z
Gill & Bro. Brick Co
All of these establishments have done
prosperous and enlarged business dur
ing the past year. and have increased
their force and output.
Our people Fave generally found employ
ment and work. But few idle men are
seen on our streets. The demand for
hands has been great in Richmond and
this city. A great many people nave
come to this pace to reside. Hundreds
have been compelled to seek homes IN
Richmond and the surrounding country
because the houses In Manchester are all
occupied. 1t is conservativeiy estimated
that at least 800 new houses could De
rented here in tire next few months. II
built to meet the demand, which is for
houses with modern conveniences and
improvements at reasonably profitable
rentals. The outlook for real estate is
inquiries indicate renewed interest IN real
moro encoura ging and the fall sales and
estate and building.
LOW RATE OF IANAIlON-
We would emphasize in connection with
the revival of interest in real estate,
and the active esta blishment of manu-
featuring and mercantile plants and bust
ness the low rates OF taxation. as they
affect such plants and businesses, pre-
vailng under the ordinances of this city.
The rate of taxes in this city applied
there is graduated one, and is based
upon the business done and not the spe-
cific capital invested. Permit me 70
illustrate: Richmond (and I select Rich
n1ond because most accessible and Ia
nliliar) imposes a tax upon the capital
invested in manufacturing business or
wholesale mercantile business. Assume
that 100000 are put in the businesses IN
Richmond, the taxes would amount to
$40. In Manchester If $4,000 of business
were done in Il year, the taxes would
amount to s175, clear saving OF go.
The same ratio would obtain as to all
amounts. Again, lot in Richmond for
such a manufacturing or mercantile bus
mess, unless it were in distant and
inaccessible part of that sity, would cost
from five to ten times as much as a CEN
trally located and accessible lot. sit
uated upon a railroad suitable TO such
business. would. in Manchester, and this
lot in Manchester would be practically
in the heart of the business part of
Richmond. with fine street-car and tcle-
phone facilities to augment its advantage
and accessibility. Are these not advan-
tages too plain to be any longer ignored?
Should not this light be set upon a high
hill and not hid under Il bushel? We
would invite Verification of oltT' state
ments, so that the manifest advantages
Of this city, as manufacturing and
wholesale business location. may ne
known of all. Many merchants and
manufacturers have found it out and
have located here. We instance 2 few
Stephen Putney Shoe Company, Vir5t,!j:t-
Carolina Chemical Works. the Electrical
Machine Company, the Richmond Wood
Working Company and the Johnson Axle
Factory.
When we contemplate these things
these signal advantages that we enjoy.
and the fact that the prospect is brighter
and Frightening. we should feel encour-
aged. With this encoura cement should
come renewed energy and effort. Our peo-
pie should get together-the people of this
entire communicated Richmond and Man
chester. Chesterfield and Henrico, and as
sure our success in the future by deter
mined effort. enterprise, cooperation and
a wise utilization Of the means and agen-
cies presented. Learn OF the past ana
profit by it's lessons. Look to the future
with all of the possibilities in the womb
Of time. and make those possibilities real
istics by our own action and enterprise
Tile old year is gone with Its victories
and its failures-its errors and It's
achievements. Let us turn our faces to
the New Year and so live and work as
to assure greater triu1nphs and fewer de-
feats. We cannot speed the old year as a
parting guest. because there are too many
gladstone or saGdened memories and asso-
Citations which cluster around its life, but
we should welcome the New Year as
coming guest, and give the lusty conner
smiles and happy faces for his greeting.