Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1903-01-09

the requirements of our situation. can
rot too earnestly urge the Importance
Of this matter, as our city is not only
losing the advantage of contiguous popu-
lation as contributors. but our contracted
limits are placing us at positive disad-
vantage and producing actual losses in
other ways.
Take. for instance. the question Of
manufacturing sites. which has occupied
the chambers attention great deal
during the year. We have no areas with
in our confines on which we can invite
the location OF large plants; and In these
days OF active competition between cities
for such enterprises. it is futile to point
out to intending investors old fields de-
void of gas and water, without police
and fire protection and not possessing
any facilities for railroad connections.
We know that this condition has actual
ly lost US one valuable plant during the
year. and it was only after search
OF several months. and by almost unpre-
cedented efforts. In which the chamber
took an active part that the Continental
Tobacco Company was able to secure
a site suitable to their requirements The
same condition retards building enter
prises which would. undoubtedly. go far
towards meeting the existing demand for
medium priced houses for our laboring
classes. This consideration is most i'm
portant, az we must make our conditions
favorable for growth, and scarcely any
thing is more necessary for the evelop-
ment of a manufacturing commL..-,y than
that the labor employed should be able
to secure their homes and the other
necessities of life at reasonable prices.
For these reasons. corporate extension
has, to my mind. boone one Of the ne
cessities of the hour.
QUESTIONS OF TRANSPORTATION
In these days of active competition be-
tween communities as well as individ-
ualss itsis absolutely essential that city,
such as ours. should have a well-equipped
and properly-managed agency for deal
ing with thezvarious questions of trans
portation upon which the welfare and
prosperity of al depend. We are for
tunate In having such an agency in our
Tlltlit bureau. the mana gement[cf which
is i'll the hands Of MI. E. S. Goodman.
main tG whose Iaitheulness and ability
such tributes have been paid by all
with whom re has come in contact, that
it is needless for ne to refer thereto
further than 10 say. he is the right man
in the right place. The work accomplish
ed by the bureau has. and Is. annually
sa wing our community thousands of dol
lars, while the evils it.. existence save
us fr.,,n. can hardly be computed Its
benign influence favorably affects all in
Gi,iduals. us we'll os the manufacturing
and trading n:cmters Of our community.
Under such conditions. it would seem
almost impossible of belief that this i'm
portant department of the chamber does
not receive such support as to maintain
it in the highest state Of efficiency for
performing the Indispensable services for
which, was organized. This can be ex-
planned only by la ok Of knowledge and,
consequently. lack of appreciation on
the part OF our people. Many I find think
that only those directly concerned in
transportation matters are interested.
This, however. is but very narrow
view as a little reflection must convince
all who have any stake whatever in the
community that they, individually. are
personally interested in whatever contri-
butes to the commercial growth and pros
perity of our city, for upon these depend
the healthy condition and maintenance of
their own respective callings or proper
ties. We are all so closely linked and
bound together that we form but one
body and an unhealthy condition in one
member must be felt by the whole. The
eye cannot say to the hand have no
need for thee, nor the hand to the feet
have no need of you. The suffering of
one Elltl1lUcI ID TIE VI all, elQeTe-
fore while unquestonably our merchants
and manufacturers would be the first to
sustain direct injury through the fail
ure to have their transportation interests
properly fostered and guarded, yet, in
turn. would our financial institutions. our
insurance companies. our real estate
dealers. and owners. and even our pro-
fessional and laboring classes all suffer
if not directly. quite as positively by
the withdrawal of this vitalizing force
from the arteries of trade. This reflex
action is too patent to require argu-
ment. These remarks have been made
with view OF emphasizing the neces-
ssfty laid upon US all to see that our bll-
reau is not only maintained but well
and properly supported; and to invite
your attention and cordial cooperation
in the movement ina ugurated by the
chamber In December last. having this
end in view. AS indicated. the support