The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-10-14
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+ MORE THAN ENOUGH
TO ADVERTISE CITY
Trade Extension Bureau Easily
Interests Merchants and
Others in Plans to Bring
Trade to Richmond
Thirty-two New Firms Become
Members of Bureau at Din
ner at the Jefferson o Have
Fall and Spring Better Ac-
quaintance Weeks

Better Acquaintance weeks in the
spring and fall were practically made
permanent affairs at the dinner given
by the Trade Extension Bureau OF
Richmond at the jefferson last night
when thirty-two firms became new
mem bers Of the organization and a
sum which, II is believed, will amount
to considerably more than the $4,000
necessary to swing the enterprise was
subscribed.
Business men throughout the city
are rapidly joining in the work of
increasing the trade of Richmond
by using what IL was generally
claimed at last nights meeting, the
best possible means Of Advertising
that of creating a friendltness, So
liability and a personal intimacy be-
tween the merchant and the custo-
mer.
Many were convincing In their re-
marks before the meeting and de-
clared that the direct results on their
business of the Better Acquaintance
week held several months ago were
still being felt. Others. not engaged
in business where direct results are
possible. stated that they had been
aided immensely in an indirect way.
Most of the latter were bankers, the
point being made that increased sales
by Richmond merchants brought ad-
ditionai money to the city and con-
sequently enlarged the deposits.
Sixty-One Firms There.
In, all there were sixty-one firms
represented, and each one OF them
s!gn.fied it's willingness to accept the
recommendation of the bureau COM
mittee. Contributing from $25 to $3.50
toward the object of bringing rner-
chants to Richmond In order that
they may see first hand the facili-
ties for trade and the extent of the
city's enterprises. Every person pres
ent was of the opinion that this Is
one of the best possible methods for
advertising Richmond and 30 adyer-
Using themselves. More than that.
they declared their firm conviction In
the possibilities OF the Better Ac-
quaintance idea'--the ability to make
the personal acquaintance Of their
customers and to arouse that spirit
OF cooperation among themselves
and those to whom they sell which
was proved of so great a value by
the efforts made at the first meeting.
President T. NJ. Darlington, of the
chamber of commerce and also of the
trade extension bureau. stated TO the
representatives of the firms who &C.
cepted the invitations to the dinner
that the chamber is hea ftily in favor
OF the work which the bureau has
planned and that II would aid in evry
possible way. He declared that not
only did those who made II point To
show the visitors the courtesies of the
town feel the ultimate effects of the
better acquaintance week, but that
the merchants In every line aided
The visitor spends on the average OF
$40 a day. according TO Presiden:
Darlington, and every class of business
feels the effects OF the increased in
fiux of money.
For this reason. il was brought out
all should contribute and do their
part toward bringing greater mum.
Der to Richmond as they Will all share
in the benefit. The sliding scale WAS
adopted because ii was felt that In
some cases the amount contributed
by the firms for the first enterprise Of
this kind was too high while In Others
it was not enough. Money to swsns
the big undertaking was, OF course
one of the chief things sought at thf
meeting last night, and that there
was sufficiency for the proposed
undertaking was clearly evident.
Another prime requisite as brought
out by several OF the speakers was
the spirit OF those engaged In this
Work. "A CO-OpGIdtlfQ bocStCso acs'-
citation is really what is desired ano
one In which every member will aic
in having another firm sign Its name
to those listing themselves as tbs
representative business houses of the
city.
Not Representative.
AT the time OF the first better &C
ouaintance week there were bu
| thirty-seven who took an active par
| in the work. This In by no mean.
representative OF the city's power OF
activity in commercial lines and !
Richmond is to compete with Balu
more and Atlanta and Jacksonville,
declared ]. r. Broadus. of the Etchin
son Hat company. at must begin t
meet the activity OF these cities ant
1 as they are doing to make the per
sonaf acquaintance of the man Will
whom they are dealing and brini
them here to see for themselves wha
extensive trading operations are be
ing conducted.
In introducing the subject TO that thu
attention OF those present, Presideh
Darlington said.
! ..The accompltshments OF the weef
last August spent in getting acquainted
with those who deal with Richmond
| merchants is but shadow of VIVA
can be done and what il to come"
w. +. Dabney. business manager o
/ the chamber OF commerce. and secre
| tary OF the bureau. declared that "thi
! is but one spoke in the wheel for tn
4 development of Richmond as the trad
center Of the South. Baltimore Is thi
city.s chief competitor and Baltimor'
is issuing a list of 700 leading ner
chants with q prospectus OF tn
variety OF their enterprises and tn
facilit advantages Of dealing In tina
Ecity. Richmond has better natural ad
Iyantages for trade than has Baitimore
4 and il the chief business Of the Soutl
lis lost To Richmond il Ii because IN
local people neglect to grasp the op
I portunities at their door. The idea Q
bringing customers here for better ac
louaintance purposes II not theory
! ii IL >husiness proposition and n
chamber of commerce z wIIling g 8