The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-01-29


rent year. among which he stressed
annexation as of perhaps chief i'm
portance and better housing condi-
lions only secondary. The accom-
plishment of the Northern Neck rail-
road, and the progress of the Rich
mond and Rappahannock River rail-
way, and the amalgamation or con-
solidatiol of the two medical col
Ieges, giving Richmond the greatest
medical institution of learning in the
South were held up as marks of pro-
gress, while the now nearly completed
ten-story manufacturers building.
which will be ready May list, will
give the chamber of commerce a
home second to none in the South.
petual exhibit of Richmond made
products will prove one OF the best
advertisements the city ever main
tanned.
Following is President Carrington's
report:
At the annual meeting of the Rich
mond chamber of commerce, its pres
ident LIS expected to submit a report,
embodying therein the efforts and ac-
compIishments of the past year and
throw shoad a searchlight on the most
prominent matters in its path for the
ensuing year; so to the hest of my
ability I now apply myself to this
duty.
In accepting my office a year ago,
I briefly mentioned the leading fea
lures which we hoped to accomplish,
the most important Of which was the
akquirement of the Richmond docks,
at very reasonable price, through the
signal forethought of intelligence of
the city council. The acquisition of
these docks when adequately and
{vt,y will 70 tch
mond's commerce more than any one
can estimate, and in connection with
the great interest that Is now aroused
on the subject of waterways. especial
~ the Atlantic inland waterways. our
city will reap benefits both directly
and indirectly. that will rebound to the
benefit OF every interest.
Increase In Territory.
The fact that our city today Is one
of the most densely populated In the
country makes the acquisition Of more
territory most important. and at this
time we are glad to be able to report
that everything loks favorable for
early action in this direction. Com
mittees from the city council and
board of aldermen have been APP
pointed. with whom a committee
from the chamber is comforting, to
work out. in an intelligent and eff
fective way. this great plan. This In
crease In our territory will mean. not
only a great deal TO the commercial
interests. but II will enable the en-
gineers properly to project streets. To-
cate mains and pipes. and in such n
way as TO insure us city built, not
only in a manner pleasing TO the eye
but In a scientific manner as 10 ny
g!enic conditions. II will give TO the
ssYf91H
and convenience and protection, and,
10 the city. increased revenues to meet
the expense incident to this acqUisi-
ton, and. 10 the succeeding genera
ton. heritage of forethouEht and
consideration. to the end that our chill
'drens children will rise up and call
us blessed,
One OF the most important ques-
tious now being considered by the
chamber Is that Of better housing Of
the wage earners. particularly those
earning mparatively small wages.
which In very large majority. The
chamber now has a concrete plan on
foot which 1t will soon project, to de
velop q scheme by which this end Will
be accomplished and give good re-
turns to the investor therein, and Will
be a most potent factor in giving 70
our manufacturers the proper housing
OF the class Of labor which they SO
much need.
New Railways.
The great accomplishment Of the
Richmond. Washington and Chesa-
neake railway, originally the North
ern Neck railroad, we are assured VIII
certainly be Before another year rolls
around. we hope TO he able to state on
what date this great country viii be
opened up to Richmond's trade and
people.
The Richmond and Rappahannock
River railway. built solely by Rich
mond men and Richmond capital,
has progressed most rapidly, touching
a country that needs only transpor-
!. tatian facilities for development. and
the trade and people 1t will hiring 10
our city will be most important.
bridge is now being constructed by a
company of Richmond citizens across
the Mattaponi river at West Point
recently renamed Port Richmond
putting us in direct communication
with a rich and fast developing coun-
Try.
Colleges Amalgamate.
The amalgamation of the two great
medical colleges just consummated
will ada still further fame to Rich
mond as a medical center. This act
most distinctly demonstrates the great
spirit of cooperation that is pervad-
ing this good old city, and the self-sac-
rifice that was no doubt necessary for
this accomplishment is, indeed, worthy
of the greatest commentator.
Not only the spending power OF the
students Is great material considera'
ton, but their influence. no matter
where they go. will always be felt
Richmond has seen in the past yeai
the launc i1iHE OF nassns' large ana ne"
Industries whose interests the cham
her has promoted in every way pos
sibIe. We have seen large houses oi
trade and manufacture GROW larger
and comparatively small houses grow
large, and the spirit of development
has pervaded every branch OF business
activity throughout our environments
Skyline of Skyscrapers.
We now have q skyline or towering
buildings that stand aloft, proclaim
ing from the clouds our city's growth
and enterprise. Among the chiefest
of these Is the chamber of commerce
and Manufacturers building, standing
ten stories on high elevation. at tbs
corner OF Sixth and Main. ON tht
top floor will be the offices and audi
torium of the chamber, and 1t VIII bt
most gratifying Ii as many as possible
of those organizations formed Tor spe
cific purposes could be housed in thi'
building so that the chamber coule
conveniently accord to them the use
of the auditorium whenever their con
venience called for 1t, when not II