The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-11
MERCHANTS ENJOY BIG
GET-TOCETHER NIGHT
Many Visitors Here for Opening
Events of Better Acquaint-
ance Week.
DEMAND FOR RICHMOND GOODS


Retailers Here to Purchase Stock
Say That War I'm Europe Is Caus-
ing Little Effect on Demand for
Retail Goods.
Gloom was slain and hundreds of
Southern merchants and Richmond
people laughed at the slaughter ON the
roof garden OF the Richmond Hotel
last night. when good fellowship pre-
| vailed at a carnival of music. teasting
and dancing at the Gct-together-en
tertainment." which marked the open
ing of Better Acquaintance Week"
| arranged by the trade extension bureau
of the Chamber OF Commerce. Strangers
were accorded welcome such as Rich
mond alone can give. and indications
are that this week will be a memoir
able one in the social and business his
tory Of the city.
Asserting that the traditions. feel
ings and history of those assembled
about the banquet tables were as the
story Of a single people. Mayor George
Ainslie said the hearts and doors OF
Richmond folk are wide open to those
who have come hero from Virginia.
North Carolina. South Carolina. Georgia
and other States to attend the com
mercial festival. He WAS introduced
by Alvin NJ Smith
FIND LITTLE TO ALARM
IN WAR SITUATION
W. T. Dabney, business manager of
the Chamber OF Commerce. introduced
to the audience as The One Bill" told
the merchants that he had authentic
Information from the trouble zones Of
the Old World that everything would
be all right in few days, and advised
them not to be alarmed over the Euro
pean situation. That the hostilties
abroad will serve to boost the prices
of American products was the opinion
expressed Those who were not at first
inclined to accept his optimistic ex-
pressions as sound economy were per-
suaded TO do when the orchestra
stationed at the roar Of the speakers
rostrum struck up the first bar OF
Dixie" before he had hardly finished
thanking his auditors for their kind
attention" When the music changed
to ragtime. W. H. Adams, president Of
the Board OF Aldermen. and j. 7. Pal
matary, member of the trade extension
bureau of the Chamber of Commerce.
broke the ice for the dancers by doing
what they said were the most modern
tango steps
Refreshments were served and a
special cabaret performance added
much TO the evenings entertainment
Friendly groups gathered about the
tables, and retailers, wholesalers and
travelling statesmen discussed general
business conditions The business men
were inclined TO treat with n spirit of
LEFTY the suggestion that serious
handicap TO American commercial en-
terprises will result from the foreign
wars Questioned as to the general
business outlook In their respective
localities. the majority OF the visiting
merchants made the most optimistic
responses Reports indicated that
farmers in this section OF thu country
VIII receive good prices for their crops
OF tobacco and cotton this year. and
that merchants will nnd little trouble
In getting cash for the fail and winter
stocks OF goods which are now being
purcha sed. Considerable buying was
done on the local market yesterday by
visiting merchants
BIG DEMAND FOR
RICHMOND-AIADE GOODS
made goods are having a
hir run In South Carolina, according
large mercantile concern al Lau-
rens "Of course. Richmond is some
Instance from my section" said Mr.
Hawkins but many South Carolina
merchants arc finding out that 1t pays
TO buy goods in Richmond" The South
Carolina merchant stated that low
freight rates are effective from Rich
rnond to nearly all points In his ter
ritory and that people OF the Pal
netto State have weakness for Rich
mond products.
u don't see that the war in Eu
=
ton. said w. r. Franklin. p leading
retail merchant of Franklinton, ~ c.
\ large number of North Carolina
merchants are here for Better Ac-
quaintance Week, and many or them
made large purchases yesterday
with few exceptions merchants rep
resen'tng practically every section Of
Virginia say that general business con-
dillon are good. Merchants are here from
the Old Dominion State representing
cities. towns and rural communities ali
the way from the Underwater counties
10 the mountain district TO the West,
and mono of them are bowling ca
lanity.
Figures secured yesterday from The
registration bureau in charge of a H.
Felhaus. show that more visitosr we're
here for the opening day OF Better
Acquaintance Week" this year than
we're IN attendance at tho beginning OF
the event last year Wednesday and
Thursday will he the biggest DAYS"
Of the week. il is thought
RECEPTION COMMITTEE
WELCOMES VISITORS
Every visitor is receiving a person
al reception to the city, and q hearty
welcome for members of the reception
committee, In charge of w. T Pal
matary. are meeting all trains and
directing the visitors to the registra-
ton bureau where everything po:si-
the merchants have brought members
Of their families with them. and to
all who have come an enjoyable time
is assured.
The feature attraction for the mer-
chants tonight will be wrestling
match and athletic entertainment be-
tween Ed t"Strangler") Lewis and
Sampson. "The German Gladiator" The
event Will be, staged at Broad Street
BASEBALL Park. and promises to be
one Of UNUSUAL interest. The audi
tortum of the Jefferson Hotel will be
the scene of activities tomorrow even
Ine when an attractive program in
ciuding several speeches by men OF
note VIII be carried out. The program
Tor the remainder of the week gives
promise of continuance of the round
or good times started last night. Rich
mond people. and visitors alike. are en-
thusiastic over the success of the open-
Ing of what promises to be a most sue
cessful week