The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-09-06
In Spite of Depression Due to
War, Seriously Felt Else
where, Local Industries Are
In Normal Condition.
RICHMOND'S TRADE
FIELD NOW LARGER
Better Outlook For Coming
Months Than in Years, De-
spite Adverse Conditions.
Many Business Increases
Are Shown.

In almost every line OF business ana
industrial activity in Richmond--soon
to he by decree of-law- q city OF
twenty-seven square miles of terrs-
tory. and approximately $50, 900
population, with a total valuation OF
personal and real property of nearly
s227. 600, 00o-there are to be seen
evidences OF the prosperity of the city
and of its people.
Richmond now, In a time OF finan.
cfal stress, due to wars in Europe
which are cutting off from America
millions of dollars in exports and
imports. is one of the few large cities
In the United States that has not CALI
ed upon the treasury department for
an allotment of emergency currency.
But few months ago. Richmond
gained federal recognition MS a city
of remarkable financial strength and
its contest for the federal reserve
bank under the new currency law for
the Fifth reserve district. This city
In presenting its claims for the Local
ton Of the federal reserve bank
made the points: Unsurpassed adj
vantage in geographical Locations;
present trend of business: natural ad-
vantages over other cities along the
Atlantic seaboard, commercial im-
portance: diversity of industry and
agriculture: capital resources. ana
views of people throughout this sGc~
ton doing business with Richmond.
Has Extended Territory.
Since winning the location Of the
Fifth reserve district bank Richmond
has progressed still further, having
through various means. among them
Better Acquaintance Week." greatly
extended the territory upon which the
city naturally draws for IL business
prosperity. Richmond has seen the
fight in the court for annexation.
which resulted In the gaining OF the
decree extending the city's corpora.
miles Of territory, and millions Of doh
lars in property value Rlchmon0
has In scores OF ways. within the Last
year, demonstrated her uperiorttys
and has proved her claims to great.
ness as leading Southern city.
Even now Richmond business men.
always alert to the opportunity which
here seems ever present, are planning
to further develop Richmond's bust.
ness by extending the commerce Of
the States of Virginia and North
and South Carolina to the Latin.
American countries to the south--4
field necessarily neglected by Europe
because Of the war. The Richmond
Chamber of Commerce has called TOR
a. EOu10E6HC6 VI tiE U46AAC@ AAAtA<0N8
OF the three States, to be held here
this month. to dvise plans for SUD-
plying this new field.
Taking Initiative.
Richmond is taking. - It has taken
during the last few years. the inttiA.
tive in advancing the buaness Ana
financial interests OF tho group q
the metropolis, The cooperative
spirit is strong in the business men 81
Richmond and this united EFFORT IA
responsible In a large measure Tor TN
success of Richmond and Tor its pros
perity.
While the finances Of the nation are
tighter than they have besn in years
while the stock exchange Is cioead
that there may be no unloading e
securities with depressing effect, ANA
while industrial establishments IN
other cities are shortening their time
or closing down until there comes r.
lief from the European tang1es, Rich
mond industries are continuing thAtKs
operations, Richmond business houeeo
are continuing business and RtQA@|
mond banks are continuing th4(f
operations as they did before foretmS
troubles occurred to oppre0 SYM
thetic America.
business in all lines 10 . good n4I
In Richmond as at this season II
former years In some u1es u II
better. Though this II far from be~s
ing the active season IN real estAts
there has been a steady pickup IT'D
the realty business. People Are lI
vesting their money In land. c1t3S
suburban and farm. for use or f0&s
speculation They are making 3Hls
quiry into new propositions whtcMs
are almost weekly being presented ~,
the enterprising agents and deeiee4
In this city. 81
Many improvements.
Money is being borrowed on g.1k&s
edge security for the purlpose OF n1alk&E
ing improvements TO property.
city OF Richmond Is apprOpri4tAA1s
money or planning the expenditures
of appropriations recently made
the purpose Of making permanently IN ii
nicipai improvements, fS;s|s
There Is an optimistic trend IL "a L
lines. In educational circles. Ws3l
the public and private schoOls M4N
the colleges OF the city about t0s e
gin their new sessions. the otytl0N
unusually bright for =, ep!end1d x
Enrolment at the private tu11itu4t&
Is already larger, In nuMlnNf
cases. than in recent years. MMN
ficent new buildings house eererMS
these institutions. Summer eollG
Just closed In Richmond woH0 M
successful than ever befcrA
The official figures on eual
operations for the month Of 49,
showed a decrease from the MQI5
Of August a year ago. but the y
NAL situation which held throu4&
month furnished cause for eNSU RI
er falling on In other cities a.
rnond,s class The outlook
tcontlnusd - rsse