The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-08-18

Work as secretary OF the RdlelSH
Chamber of Commerce and Industry
This period has been one of won.
derful progress for the city of Raj
eigh, and time Of general prospect.
ty. The growth of the city in sub
stantial business houses handsome
dwellings,, office and bank buildings
Industries and business organizations
together with municipal improve
ments has made this one of the hand
soonest and most prosperous cities 1T
North Carolina, and gives courage to
expect a yet larger progress during
the next ten years. While the Cham
Der may not have accomplished all
that it should have done for the city,
yet with the small incaome of one
hundred dollars per annum, and when
the very small number of working
members are considered, much work
has been done.
1.-The chamber has originated many
things and has aided every improve
ment that has been made. Its lnflu-
ence has been a leading factor in the
life of the city, and it has aided large
ly in advertising the place. me m
fiuence of the Chamber has been felt
by the insurance companies, railroads,
and other corporations.
1.-The Chamber made a strong effort,
but did not succeed in the Auditorium
matter, but with the experience OF the
past, the new organization will no
doubt carry it to an early completion,
and have one erected that will be a
credit to the Capital City of the State
Ten years of work that have been
given to the Chamber for the benefit
of the city has covered a pleasant
period of my life, and it has been a
pleasure to be of some service to
my adopted city
with full appreciation of the uni
form courtesy of the officers and
members of this Chamber, and with
nv best wishes for the success of the
of the city, l now COM
plete my term of Office.
GEORGE ALLEN
Report of the President.
The report of President Thomas B.
Womack was as follows:
With this meeting of the Chamber
of Commerce | retire from the presi-
dency after two years service. And
that / turn over the gavel to a new or
a new Chamber of Com
merce, one with life, one with the bone
and sinews of the capital city behind
it, one that will be a great factor
in the upbuilding of our city.
Few men take an interest in those
things which cost them nothing. For
where your treasure is there Will your
heart be, Also" We have been paying
an annual tax of one dollar year as
members of this organization. The re-
suit has been that but few men have
attended the meetings, and great diff
ficulty has been encountered to get
persons to take hold of any scheme
by the chamber. But
these obstacles this
BODY has a proud record. Many of the
things of which the capital city boasts
had their beginning in the Chamber OF
1t has been great factor.
though nothing like what it should
have been, and nothing to what we eX-
pect of it in the future.
During my incumbency various eX-
pedients have been undertaken to
awaken interest in the chamber and
it's work. For a considerable period
an address was given to each meeting
by some person selected with care to
discuss matters looking to the better
ment of. the city. (These have been
by discussions, both publics
and private, and as result deter
mination to make the chamber what it
should be. A committee was appoint
ed with one of our leading bankers at
its head to suggest plans for a re-or-
The plans have been
two hundred and three of our
leading citizens have agreed to coop
crate with the body and to give $40
year as membership fee instead of
the paltry sum of one dollar as here
tofore.
If those of us who have become
members of the new organization Will
act together, with look to the interest
off LITTLE and TO the in
Lerest of the individual a little less,
will lead the progressive cities
Of the State.
Few Of us realize what we have in
our capital city. Too many of our
leading men have felt that we are at
the seat of government, and the State
must of necessity support the State
government and it's several depart
ments and that there are sufficient
falling to keep the city going.
We have looked far too greatly to the
fact that we are at the seat of gov
We have not depended
enough upon ourselves, and have fail
ed to take advantage of the situation.
1t may not be amiss to take hasty
look around us and see some Of the
advantages the city of Raleigh has
over many other cities and towns that
ire showing more enterprise. push and
blow than we.
Capital.
A leading evidence of the capital in
any city is shown by the resources OF
It's banks. BY referring to the official
statement to the Corporation Commits
sion of the condition of our banks on
May goth, last, it will be seen that the
resources of our seven bank
ng institutions was $3,S01, 354.11. a
sum sufficient for a city of fifty thous-
and population. Our banks are safe;
hey arc conservatively managed. but
hey are always ready to lend a help
ng hand to deserving institutions run |
IN business principles. There is Moth |
ing Of the mushroom about them, and
hey will not permit their capital to be
used along the lines of frenZied fl |
rance. Why not make more of this
great capital.
Postal Receipts.
All business of a city in some way
passed through the United States post ]
office. Raleigh has never been on a
boom. 1t is hoped it will never be. |
But the steady, solid, substantial and
Continued on Page Six