The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-12

Enthusiasm over Richmond's past
commercial, financial and industrial
achievements edualet only by en-
thusiasm and hopefulness as to Rich
mond's future, was the keynote at
the annual! meeting OF the Chamber
OF Commerce held last night In the
auditorium of the Jefferson Hotel.
At the very opening OF the meeting
long speeches were put under the ban,
but in numerous short. pithy talks,
leading cltizens---men VINO have taken
conspicuous part In the commercial
development of the city--told Of Rich
mond's wonderful growth and desel-
opment in the last few years, OF Its
present proud position among the
cities OF tho land and OF the bright
promises of still greater achievement
which the future holds.
Presidents Annual Report.
Following the preIiminaries OF the
opening OF the annual meeting. Prcsi-
dent Henry w. Wood read his annual
repor. which 10 printed In full ~
the foot of this article. II va = very
cntnprsAxnslsa and HluntnzttnB To-
view or the acsivities Of the Cham
Der In 1911 ana was heard with the
deepest interest by the men who had
had 80 much TO do with bringing TO
pass the accomplishments OF which
Mr.. Woods report was the recital.
The-fepeFt. which emphasizing
many possibilities Of achievement that
Law before the Commerce body. laid
especial emphasis. in looking TO the
future, upon the need for = vigorous
campaign for new members. the re-
firing president giving II as his
opinion that the Chamber ought to
have at least a thousand members
Northern Neck Railroad.
One of the sections OF the report
which Mr. Wood elaborated with re-
marks aside from his prepared re-
port was that bearing on the Nortnern
Neck railroad.
In the report Mr.. Wood estimated
the increase OF people visiting Rich
mond and the State Fair following the
completion of the railroad at twenty
thousand year. He said that after
coming into the hall ne saw Mr.. Ward.
had had been active in the promotion
of the new read. Who said that TWEEN
ty thousand was too low an estimate
and that forty thousand would be
more nearly right. The people In
the Northern Neck. declared Mr..
Wood, are very anxious to get In
touch with and to visit Richmond.
The conclusion the report was fol-
lowed by apn'ause.
On motion Of l.. T., Morris II was
decided to publish the re~nrt In fun
and circulate II among the members.
Election OF OnicerA
The election Of Officers being next
In order judge Geor~e L. Christian
placed in nomination Taxewell NJ.
Darlington for president. He said the
duty assigned him was one of the
most pleasant OF his life. There II
no man In this comr- unlty's said
Judge Christian. whose career and
character have interested and stimu-
lated me an much AZ have those OF
Taxewell NJ. Darlington" He said he
didn't know Of any more public-
spirited citizen than Mr.. Darlington
or OF one who had 80 litt'~ fear oi
hard work In carrying out duties a.
signed him In laboring for the good
Of the CITY.
The nomination was recorded by
F. d. Williams and Henri w. Wood
the, latter reMaEkinx that NJ first vice.
president Mr.. Darlington had been oil
charge Of his duties AZ president.
When the vote was taken there wal
q great chorus OF ayes and no votes
In the negative.
President Wood named J. G. Corle,
and A. b. Clarke, an q COMMITTEES t.
escort the new president to the res,
trum. and there was enthusiastic ap,
plause Gs President Darlington tool
his seat In the presiding officers chair
Mr.. carrin~ton's Address.
MIR. Darlington said In accepting
the presidency:
II want to thank you most sinceref,
fasst the great hGsakrs syos2 have: hestaW
I'd 'Sjfi' Sfne. T'b be the heAd Of IN In
stitution formed and carried forwart
for the purpose OF unselishly safe.
guarding and promoting the genera
interest Of business community i'm.
| poses obligations of the highest a
we'll as the most exactinE nature. ant
Il il with a pleasure. mingled witt
Feelings 81 grave responsibility that
accept the Office Of president Of thu
Chamber OF Commerce.
For the incoming administration
| 10 be successful II must have the ear
| nest and interesting support from, no
| only the board OF directors, but OF thu
full membership OF tho Chamber. and
lust In proportion that this tnteres
can be aroused will be the success o.
the Chambers activities. Do not NJ
gard this body a. an academic on
taking itself too seriously, but ~ I
body Of earnest business man working
ON lines OF general good. lts purposes
absolutely divorced from eeldshs IN
terest, trying to arrive 1t = fair and
proper solution OF the many wee
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