The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-11
Members Tell Chamber
Homes Must Be Built
for Working Folk.
WANT FAIR DEAL
FOR RAILROADS
Many Firms Favor Increased
Freight Rates, and Others Be-
lieve in Hands-OF Policy in
Locating Union Station.
Get Variety of
Views.

Tho poll of its 1900 members being
conducted by the Chamber Of Com
rnerce to determine the policy Of the
organization In 1914 Is furnishing many
surprises and still more valuable sug-
gestions. For example, 1t is found
that immediate Improvement in the
housing conditions In Richmond is cited
as the city's greatest need by the ma
jority of the the COO members who have
replied. While most of the members
suggest several possible reforms. the
need for comfortable homes for the
workingman at reasonable rents in
urged with astonishing frequency
BY far the most interesting feature
OF tho housing topic is the fact that
II Is urged by such a diversity of In
terests. Lawyers. doctors, real estate
agents. capitalists, retailers, whole
salers and. above all. big manufacturing
plants recognize 1T as tho problem Of
the hour. Among those who have writ
ten suggesting that the chamber enlist
In the better housing campaign are:
The American Can Company, the Rich
mond Bank and Trust Company, the
Randolph Paper Box Company, Pollard
& Bagby, the Southern Stove Works,
the Globe Clothing Company, the Cor
don Metal Company, l.. Neale & Co.
Abrams Paint and Glass Company and
Henry 8. Wallerstein.
Gratifying to Chamber.
The success of the poll and the in
terest being shown by the individual
members are gratifying to the officers
or the chamber. In the past the poll
icies of tho organization have been
determined usually by the large board
of directors and the administrative Of
ficers. This is the first time that the
big membership has been polled to find
out the wishes of the majority In re-
gard 10 reforms to be pressed by the
No. w. ~ 4
men in every walk of life and firms
In all lines of business. Its written
opinion can be fairly we'll regarded
as tho voice of tho body OF the city, and
Will be regarded by tho officers and
directorate as binding IN any but
unforeseen circumstances
Not only Is the poll furnishing valu-
able light on what the rank and file
wish In the way of municipal reform,
but it is giving hints to the officers OF
the chamber itself upon methods of
speeding up its machinery. Among
the suggestions is one that the cham
Der should hold regular monthly meet
ings of the full membership, now that
IL has moved into its new home and
has large auditorium. Samuel B.
Love suggests that the chamber organ
ize a city club on the lines OF similar
powerful organizations In Memphis and
Denver. Another writer proposes that
the monthly meetings be given addi-
tional interest by the bringing of
prominent peraonages as speakers.
Division on Union Station.
That there is division of senti-
ment within the chamber Itself on the
subject of the proposed union passen-
ger station is indicated In the replies
Firms doing business In the downtown
section urge the erection of station
at Fifteenth and Main Streets, while
those with interests in the West End
say the Hermitage Golf Club Is the
proper site for either union station
or the proposed station of the Rich
mond, fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad and the Atlantic Coast Line
Railroad.
There was division within the board
Of directors on the same subject when
II formally Endorsed the Fifteenth
Street site Its action caused some
small resentment among Its uptown
membership. An indication that it's
action was not entirely popular was
furnished by one unsigned card with
the statement that "the chamber should
not be controlled by few In its ac-
tons"
Dozens OF the members congratulated
the officers and directors upon their ag-
gressive campaign I'm 1913 for Rich
monds interests. Keep up the good
work you have been doing" was all tho
advice many of the correspondents had
to offer.
Wish Freight Rates Raised.
Several large manufacturing con-
Germs and bankers advocated the
chambers support for tho proposed 8
per cent increase In railway freight
rates as n tine opportunity for the or
ganization to help Richmond in 1914
Thomas 8. Wheelwrght. president of
the Virginia Railway and Power Com
pany, wrote rs follows:
ASK tho Interstate Commerce Com
mission to give the per cent increase
in freight rates to steam railroads, In
order that they may do the necessary
financing to enable them to secure
equipment to render a reasonably ade-
quate service to the public which they
seem utterly unable TO do at present
The local result of this, it is hoped
will he the full operation Of tho Amcrl-
cnn Locomotive Works and other kim
dred enterprises"
The sentiment expressed in this card
was indorsed by N. w Bowe s. Sons
John j. Williams & Sons i. w. Fer
gusson & Sons and several others
The Richmond. fredericksburg and
Potomac Railroad, a member of the
chamber. offered no suggestion other
than that the policy of the organlza-
should be established only with the
utmost care and study.
Railroad rates and service occupv
the thoughts OF scores of writer's.
Many urged Improvement In freight
and passenger service. encouragement
CONTINUED On Tenth Pago0