The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-11
Position on Program of Re-
forms Reahr1ned by Strong
Resolutions
OVER 800 ATTEND
QUARTERLY NEE TING
Enthusiastic Speeches Mark
Session at Richmond Hotel
Auditorium---Smoker
Follows Meeting

With enthusiastic addresses sup
porting the program of tax reform.
annexation and the awakening Of the
civic pride of the non-voter mapped
out by the chamber of commerce,
nearly 500 substantial business men,
members of that organization, last
night adopted strong resolutions reit-
Grating their position on these pend
ing problems
The occasion was the first quar-
terry meeting Of the organization.
which President r M Darlington
called to order at o'clock in the au-
ditorium of the Hotel Richmond
Governor Mann, Mayor Ainslie and
the three speakers of the evening
occupied seats on the rustrurn with
the president John c. Easley spoke
tax reform, and Joseph c. TAYLOR on
the problem of awakening the nom
voter, Governor Mann and Nrayor
A.rslte gave hearty endorsement Of
the chambers program Of reform in
brief but highlyappre talks.
Certain remarks Of Governor Mann.
inferred TO pertain to recent sersa-
ton, made deep Impression. Stating
that he Is not q candidate for any
office-'I know when ! have enough. ="
the executive declared firmly. hut I'M
til February LIST next 7 am the gov
ernor Of the Commonwealth Of VIZ
gtnia." The yeijed sally drew laugh
ter, and the business men so0ndly APP
plauded the declaration Of independ-
ence.
A smoker. when light refreshments
were served rounded out the quar-
terty meeting Ia the midnight hour.
ard kessnich's orehest sandwiChcd
some raytime that helped ta make
the occasion altogether enjoyable
The presentation III the resolutions
on annexation reats1rning uuquali
hedly the position the chamber of
commerce has taken followed the
forceful address Of Mr. Easley. and
were offered ny Henry ". Rouutree.
The business men had a laugh when
Mr.. Rountree explained that fer one
time he and Mr. F.a&ley had agreed
upon a subject. and they lnduiEed in
further nerriment, while Secretary
Dunlop was reading the lengthy reso-
luton. at the number Of s*whereases''
by actual count which
they contain. The resolutions. need
less 10 add passed with a whoop.
Resolutions All Adopted.
Resolutions endorsing the purposes
Of the young mems registration com
nlttee were offered by John G Free
man at the conclusion Of Mr.. Tay-
lor's address. and John b piuder Of
fered further resolutions protesting
against the proposed plan Of the re-
organization Of the custom house dis
tr!Cts, authorizing the outward trade
committee 10 fully investigate. and
the chamber upon its findings 10 me
morialize congress for "a repeal ~ the
act OF 1912. Both were adopted with
out a dissenting yptfe
Ia his argument urging immediate
action ON the question Of annexation,
Mr. Easley said there were two ques-
tons fer the people TO consider--frst.
does the city need the territory, and
second, is she able to take reasonable
care within "a reasonable time ~ the
territory annexed. The first PROPOSE
ton he cstab lished by facts and fig
ures. showing that Richmond is the
most congested city az it's class, save
one. in the entire country-I22, GOO
people living within eleven square
miles Of territory, one mile of which
Is a river bed. AS easily by facts
and figures. he established his claim
that with its steadily increasing In
come the municipality Is well able
To take over the territory II is pro-
posed to annex. and argued THAI it
will he foolish to delay longer, from
an economic standpoint, the assimf-
lation of the city's suburbs, One by
one they are Incorporating and assum-
ing bonded Indebtedness at n high
err rate of interest than Richmond
would have tn pay, and when annex
alton comes Richmond will have these
debts to shoulder. AS to the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac
bugaboo, ne stated that the railroad
people had signifed their willingness
to cooperate with properly consti-
tuted authorities and make some per-
manent arrangements regarding the
grade crossings in the West End. hut
until the territory is annexed there
are no authorities with whom the rail-
road company can treat. The county
authorities cannot handle II, ard it is
not within the purview of the city
lCnmtinuea on Second pagA.l