The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-12
FRIDAY. JANUARY 10. 1906.
The Chamber Of Commerce.

The annual report OF Mr.. Esber. G..
Leigh, president of tho Chamber of Com
Irerce. is n n ost instructive and en-
courasing paper In support of his state
r1cnt that In the greatest prosperity the
country has ever known, Richmond
stands abreast OF the most advanced
communities, in the march OF progress.
Mr.. Leigh presents tho following figures
from 1895 to 1906 Our manufactures In
creased, Is per cent; our jobbing trade.
81 per cent bank loans. 12e per cent;
hank deposits. 234 per cent; bank capital,
65 per cent; surplus and undivided pro-
fits, 70 per cent; total banking assets.
las per cent: bank clearances, ia per
cent; assessed value of real estate, 10 1-2
per cent: assessed value of personally,
So per cent.
In 1905 railroad tonnage increased over
1904 lis per cent, and postoftice receipts,
IL per cent. These increases are for a
single year.
There were only fourteen failures in
1905, against 60 in 1896 while the loses in
volved in 1905. were only about one
tenth as large as those of 1895. This, he
says, is the more significant in view
OF the fact that the banks loaned y
per cent. over double as much money
In 1906 as they loaned in 1895; our manu-
facturers did 10 per cent. over double as
much business, while our jobbing bust
ness nearly double.
Mr.. Leigh pays n merlted tribute to
agriculture. which goes to show that
business men in the cities appreciate the
value OF the farmer, as a contribu-
tor to the wealth of the nation, and rec
ognizes that the success of all branches
of trade and industry are involved in
his prosperity.
Mr.. Leigh emphasizes the Importance
to the city of acquiring the Richmond
dock. and calls attention to the report
of the committee which has been nego-
tiating with committee of the Trgg
Company bondllolders.
He refers to the important subject OF
better rail connections at functional
points, with the. valley and southwest.
and says that while some good results
have been accomplished from work done
in this direction. much remains to be
done. That is indeed an important mat
ter for Pichrnonu. and we hope the
chamber will not relax its efforts to
or!ng the railroads to terms.
Many other topics OF interest to this
oopmunty are discussed by tho retiring
presidant, and the entire report should
DO carefully read and studied by the pub
Nc
Tho Chamber of Commerce has served
the city veil, and now has a greater
work Than ever TO perform. The
people will be !nc:nelent 10 their best in
:erestx. Il they not give ii literally
the moral ana .lalsonnl support it needs.
AR. Leigh takes occasion to shy that
The secretary OF the chamber Is an office.
o: great and rare value. End that the use
full s,td honorable career CT the body is
largely due % lis WORK
lie: Us ado That no president of the
Chamber Of Commerce has given it a
more faithful. Intelligent and efficient
service, than President Leigh. ntellec-
teral. entarprisng, public spirited, cour-
teous snd gracious, he is an honor to
any organization over which he may
preside, and model citizen. The Cham
Der paid him a yery high compliment anu
rendered the community valuable SER
vice in Projecting him.
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