The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-10
Conclusive Evidence About
City Of Durham.

Just about the most conclusive EVIL
dence that could be gathered about
the city of Durham and prohibition
has been given the public in answer
to the contentious advanced by the
wet interests as to the poor enforce
ment OF the prohibition law in Dur
ham and It's deleterious effect on the
city morally. financially and indus
triaiiy. The citizens OF the town
quoted In the Richmond Evening
journal promptly denied any of the
statements attributed to them. The
mayor OF the town wrote letter cor
recting the false statements so made.
The citizens gathered in mass meet
ting and adopted resolutions condemn
Ing the action of the interests that
had slandered them and declaring that
prohibition Is a great benefit TO the
city and has come to stay.
Now there Is printed a letter from
the Commercial club of Durham. the
leading BUSINESS organization OF the
city, embracing the most prominent
business men OF Durham. The presi-
dent Of tho club Is Hon. James Fl.
Eouthgate Of the insurance Arm Of
James Southgate & Son. Mr.. South
gate II president of the National Tn
derwriters' association, president OF
the board of trustees of Trinity col
leGe. and few years ago was can
didate for vtce-president OF the United
States on thu prohibition ticket. The
letter is written. by the secretary of
the club, Mr., G. G.. Creighton, to one
of the largest wholesale firms in Rich
anond.
j. TX. Southgate, &. @, Creighton.
President Secretary,
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB
OF Durham, North Carolina
Sept Z 1914.
Dear Sir.-Mr A. +. Lloyd has ask
ed us to write you letter giving Some
facts about the growth and develop
ment OF Durham during the past ten
to twelve years.
We make no claim that 1t Is due en-
iirely to the enforcement of the pro-
hibition law. but 1t is fact that the
United States census records ana re-
ports show that Durham has grown al
a wonderfully rapid rate during the
period from 1900 to 1919
The population IN 1900 was S,o4s
In 1910 II was 1874. an increase or
1872 per cent. a recent estimate OF
the census bureau gives Durham a.
Ss3 or an increase. since 1910 or
increases were not the result OF ex-
tensions of the corporate limits, bhs
represent the growth within the
original lines which cover oniy -FOUR
sgIuarg miller ~.
In 1905. only eight years ago. the
banking capital was only $sl4,szo:oe-
In 1919 the banking capital was si,-
rs ooo. 90. In 1905 deposits amount
"a 10 sa.S5s.4sT00. Bank deposits in
la,s ,vere xs.4SS,063,0a. In 1918 the
savings accounts alone amounted 70
sa.s4T.41294, or very nearly as mucn
as the entire deposits in 1906. during
1913, $3s0.4s1.5S was added 70 ,ne
sa.tnrs accounts in Durham banks.
nmrhaIn'a Industrial companies are
novs denositing over $S0.000.00 month
IL savings accounts and this money
must to a very large extent al ieas'.
represent the savings OF working peo-
pie. x,,, 80 the Home
cawings Bank. Is authority for the
s,a,ameut that during the nine years
strca the bank was organized u mas
s.,rsa ~ build more than two thou-
SAND homes and that more than nItee"
hunarea OF these/were for wage-eafn-
ers and are being paid Tor IN ihseaii
ments. The building Inspector re-
mort shows that fifty-four homes were
built in Durham the nrst SIX o .mn
of this year at the ra's
every week. 49,,
That the people are living on
h,ch r,ano In shown by the fact thae
during the past eighteen months over
5ee old houses have been Wireo io'
electric lights; more than 300 water
connections have been made and over
600 surface closets eliminated.
The people OF Durham surely are
Industrious or they would NOT DC
credited by Uncle Sam with producing
manufactured goods every year to the
va,re Of over a hundred million dol
lars That Ii more than any other
city in tn centre South with popu-
lation or less than 100000 people can
show They must be industrious or
they would not get over S75.oeco0
week for payrolls. That amount does
net include single dollar for salaries
or where payment is made by check.
The merchants are prosperous ana
progressive Practically every store In
The retail section has been remoddeled
and improved in some wav during the
nast two years New fronts have
heen built. modern lighting systems
Installed. electric signs erected. inter-
Tors rearranged buildings painted. etc.
until the street looks entirely different
Than It did.
All or the above refers entirely to
the city and does not include either
East Durham or West Durham. which.
the retail section has been remodeled
counted as being outside. We will.
therefore. give you some figures about
the county.
ham county Wa listed at IS, 7aa a1a.o6.
I fn 1914 II waa listed ~ m 1.lS6. $500.
\ rhe xo6Alg ~ xilass NJ 1901 we're
x S 9 SaS