The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-04-10
Chamber OF Commerce Urged to
Start Movement to Handle
Growing Problem.
JACKSON WARD TOO SMALL
Plan to Purchase Docks Endorsed
Want Better Pavement on
Main Street.


Among the more important matters
discussed at the special meeting of the
Chamber of Commerce last night was
iho necessity of better and more iso-
lated quarters for the increasing negro
population of the city. The proposition
advanced by the Travellers Protective
Association. the Business Mems Club
ana the Retail Merchants Associa ton,
of municipal ownership of docks and
wharves was heartily approved by the
body. The former elected many
speeches, all of which were unanimous
Tn the sentiment that the section of
the city now occupied by the negroes is
not only retarding the advancement OF
the race. but is a serious drawback 10
The health. social and Industrial con-
ditions of the city.
DIR. Lcvys strong Plea.
BY special invitation of the cham
Der. DR. e. C. Levy, Chief Health Off
Ger. made an address on the negro
problem from the standpoint of health
ard sanitation. He said that in his
experience he had found no subject OF
more Importance to the general health
of the PEOPLE.
He pointed to the fact that the negroes.
as servants and laborers, come in close
contact with the white people, and that
diseases contracted from Congested and
squalid surroundings. such as they now
have in the section commonly known as
jackson Ward, are very frequently
transmitted TO their employers. Though
naturally. the negro death rate is much
larger than that of the whites. he was
of the opinion that by the provision
of proper houses and sanitation the
rate would be materially decreased.
lie also called the attention of the
body TO the fact that many houses
rented to colored people for compar-
stively large sums have not the con-
veniences that the rental should war
rant. They are forced to pay heavy
charges for these houses because OF
The difficulty in securing them at any
price.
Moving Toward Clay.
Mr.. W. r Dabney. business manager
Of the Chamber OF Commerce. discussed
The problem from social and economic
viewpoint. He showed that jackson
Ward is so congcsted that it would BIZ
impossible to crowd any more people
there, even in such novels as most o.
them now occupy. They can spread il
but one direction-toward Clay ane
Leigh ich they are doing
steadily. in spite of the protests of thu
white rasidents. This, he said, wal
not oaly Ian annoyance to the whites
but In such a neghborhood greatly
decreases taxable values.
On the other hand, he very ably
showed the value of the negro as {
citizen, and emphasized the importance
O. keeping him here. The question
of cheap labor, he said. is solved for tn
city as long as 1t can keep its negro
quarter in such condition that the in
habitants can live properly and VII
not be inclined to move TO other cities
Then, too. he called to mind the rae
that the negroes own considerable rea
estate, and that they control capital o
more than sl.25o00o.
MIR Leroy Brown. real estate dealer
showed a large map, on which he ha
outlined the different colored sections
He said that if some special place wa
not provided no one could tell TO VIVA
shift they would he put in future. 70
his part he declared. he hated to pu
a respectable colored family in tn
Euualid confines of Ram Cat Alley o
some other unsavory place III TN.
.ward." but there was nothing else I
do He admonished the chamber t
take Immediate action, and reminde
II that the city should be thankful q
the fact that 1t has colored people 0
reliability and Intelligence, instead Q
bands of dangerous and aggressive for
eigners. aud should therefore provid
habitable quarters for them,
After considerable more discussion c
the subject the chamber heartily in
dorsed the plans The matter of oh
tanning site was referred to com
n1itteo, which will report at the ncH
meeting.
Dock Plan Endorsed.
Mr. George w Rogers, in behalf c
a Joint committee from The Traveller
Protective Association the Bushes
Mems club and the Retail Merchant
Association, presented the plans 10
improving the city's dock facilities b
purchasing the docks and constructin
below them wharves for the accommc
dalton OF such boats as the trade {
the city should warrant. lie quote
from the speech made before the TraN
elers' Protective Association by Hal
bormaster Captain John a. Curtis, WI
pointed out the fact that in us pres
ent condition the docks cannot accom-
modate ships drawing more than te
feet OF water, while the channel,
low water, is eighteen feet deep and
high tide is twenty-five feet deep.
Attention was also called to Ric1
mond's low freight rate, which is dl
10 good water facilities, Ample CIV
dence was produced to show that ~
less something is done for the improN
ment of these facilities the citS.s con
merc!al Importance will wane on a
count Of not developing her nhtur
resources. 1T WAS also hinted IN
should the city provide such aid, :
Independent company would pfopap
ne organized, running line Of boa
f,e,a .sa bay to Richmond. AZ 8 ma