The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-02-12

isfnctory advertising medium, from tn.
continued and growing patronage X
lis enjoying. fully agree in these
views and regard the publication IN
every way, a most creditable one,
! reaching, perhaps. readers in some
ways that the daily papers do not.
and II adds 4 new and very important
means of Influence. commend u to
the careful attention Ct our members
and invite their friendly criticism.
which will be- appreciated by the
committee in charge and the editor.
LEGISLATION.
No committee of the Chamber has
rendered more arduous and valuable
service 20 the community and TO the
State than this Committee on I-eg.h
lttion. In addition to It's successful
work Oh the many bills during the
last session of the Legislature, which
seriously affected Richmond. for nearly
two yeas IL has closely and most in
ltellieently studied the tx question.
Under it's auspices a conference for
tax reform was called January Fl,
1914. at which time the General AS
-semhly of Virginia was In session, 1t
was most active and influential in Sc
curing an appointment of the Tax Re-
vision Committee. which made most
exhaustive study upon the complex
subject of taxation. and in having
special session called to reform our
present obsolete system. The fnnda-
/ mental features advocated by the
Chant er's Committee on Legislation
were: partial segregation and the
creation OF a supervisory board or
commission. While their views were
mot precisely carried out. the bill just
formulated and now being considered
by the General Assembly. is in line
with these recommendation and is
perhaps all that could possibly have
been expected as beginning in the
way of reforming an old system which
has so long been In force In the State
| The Chamber feels deeply indebted to
this committee for this material. step
in the direction of tax reform: one OF
the most difficult problems which has
confronted our Legislature in years.
CONVENTIONS
The Convention Committee reports
less activity in its campaign last year
to secure conventions to meet here
during the present year, for the reason
that those of the most important and
influential character. sought by the
Chamber, arrange for their annual
meetings about twelve months In ad
vance and as San Francisco. for 1915.
oyered attractions on account Of the
exposition. which did not admit of
.competetition, the opportunity OF all
other convention cities was greatly
cuftailed. Unless the policy of the
Chamber Ia changed with respec, To
conventions, the committee expects to
continue its efforts az heretofore. be-
lieving that the assrrnhlagp in Rich
ntend of conventions representing
large and important Interests affords
q most effective means OF advertising
the advantages ana attractions of ih5
city. The variable cooperation Of the
city Council II Richmond has been
~ 10
serves the heart appreciation Of our
citizens who are directly and indirectly
interested in the progress and reputa-
hon of the city. The greatest event
in this convention field during 1915.
will be the Reunion of the United
Confederate Veterans. being the last
which many Of them will attend and
the first held here since the compile
tion Of ;he Confederate Memorial In-
stitute /. promises 10 he largely at
tended.
EXTENSION OF CORPORATE
LIMITS OF RICHMOND
Perhaps the most important event
in municipal affairs was the Cousuma-
tion of tho movement To extend the
corporate limits of Richmond This
matter had thu continued aad aCtivt
support of the Chamber OF the lasc
session ~ the General Assembly Of
Virginia. when the question was pend
ing before that body and in the pro-
ceedings thereafter before his honor
Judge A A. Campbell In the Circuit
Court. While N" fnN amount of ter
ritory hrst advocated by the Chamber
was not taken In. We have reason To
be we'll satisfied, as 1t has added some
thirteen and fourteenth miles TO the
area of Richmond and about $4,000
3nha bitants. who for all practical pur-
poses were citizens Of Richmond. This
accession OF territory affords tho or
fortunitg fof city planning fer our
future growth and room for expansion
Ia give relief Of the somewhat con-
xested conditions which threatened the
city within it's previous corporate linn
it's, II will afford facilities for better
housing conditions to wage earners and
peopla-in moderate circumstances and
tur Thamher feels sure hat when
business conditions are settled. 1t
viii he in position To rforaote AMI
offer a plan for the better housing
meet with the approval of our citi-
gsrs,
INLAND TRADE AND TRAFFIC
BUREAU
This committee is hard worked and
q most important one having charge
Of transportation, 10y which industry
and commerce may be almost said to
1--we, move anu nave thHfT ENiGE. IL
Is confronted" at present with some
questions of the greatest importance.
The Traffic Bureau, being dis
tinct department. | refer members TO
its reports for ssli details of the
present critical rate situatloN tnvoiv-
'ng the advantages az Richmond as a
commercial and fAanufa ctHring center.
based upon it's natural geographical
position and an established system OF
rates, which to an essential degree
constitutes the basis OF the commu-
nify's growth and prosperity and which
III unsettled will be most disastrous TO
its welfare, | cannot too urgently inn
press upon the business men of Rich
mond, not only the shippers who
are directly affected. but also the
bankers. brokers. and professional
men and indeed all others. the great
danger to Richmond's prosperity,
should the contentious of the Chamber
with respect to some of these ques-
lions, be unsuccessful.
Some of our members are inclined to
think that the Traffic Bureau is per-
haps too aggressive. i do not think
however tina. the carriers themselves
though differing inevitably on some
points, SO regard IL. Those of our
members who are not shippers, for
get that while railroad rates con-
stitute the carriers revenue, they
are eulaily the snipuarx' aypeusa and