The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-01-02
NOT ONE BUSINESS
FAILURE IN YEAR
PETERSBURG MAKES RECORD be-
LIEyED UNEQUALED IN EN-
TIRE COUNTRY.
M ANY IMPROVEMENTS
CITY HAS DEVELOPED ALONG MANY
LINES -- BETTER SANITATION,
BETTER SCHOOLS AND
BETTER BUSINESS.

Petersburg. Va. Jan. During the
YEAR Just past, Notwithstanding the de-
pressed condition of finances through
out the country, the city of Peters
burg came through with a record
which Is believed to be unequaled by
any city of its size in Virginia, in that
during that period not a single bust
ness concern succumbed to the flnan-
cial pressure. and that few assign
ments of an inconsequentaI nature
were made.
I During the year many noted i'm
provements were made for the better
ment Of the city especially in the
street Department, where many
thousands of yards OF concrete side
walks and cutters were laid and num-
erous street roadway improvements
were made.
The disposition of the citys gar
bage and refuse. which has puzzled
the health authorities for some time,
was cared for by the erection of an
at a cost Of s22.500. in which refuse
matter will be cremated without dis
agreeable effects.
The public schools have been raised
to the highest point of efficiency, both
as to the protection of the health of
the pupils and efficient teaching.
Tobacco Markets Growth.
Notably among the industrial adj
vancements was the tremendous
growth of the offerings of bright to-
bacce on the Petersburg market. this
the second year of an established
market, The quantity OF sales of the
bright leaf have greatly Increased and
prices obtained on this market are
said to have been as good or better
than on any market in the State
The year was the most strenuous
h. X N.-- 4
twenty -four years that Chief Edgar v.
Farley has been at its head One
hundred and twenty-five alarms were
registered. but through the efficiency
no serious or large losses resulted.
The Police Department, one of the
most efficient in the State, with Chief
Reuben r. Ragland at it's head, made
a good record. 2.s45 arrests were
made during the year. l $50 of. which
were arrested for drunkenness; ss
felons;' 81 fugitives from Justice. and
Al accused of larceny. There were no
murders among the white population
during the year, and but few among
the colored.
Cty's Vital statistics.
The Health Department reported
during the year. from January / TO
November 80, $50 births: whites, 2S6.
colored, 273. OF the white births 1856
were male and 1876 female; colored,
lag male. 127 female; the whites
numbering sixteen more than the col
ored.
There were a total of SAG deaths
reported during the same period:
whites, cot; colored. 341. OF the
whites. 1903 were male and 90 fe-
male the colored, 1856 male and 1875
| female. coiored deaths exceeding the
whites by f4n.
There We're seventeen more births
than deaths during the eleven months,
Building Activities.
Building activities during the year
were renewed and many up-to-date
structures were erected. including the
jefferson Hotel and Iavenste.n Broth
lers' large department stores
Important questions now pending
before the City Council are a proposed
new bridge to connect Petersburg
with Chesterfield County and the .,ur-
chase Of automobile fire engines.