Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-08
H0PEWELL NOW HAS TWO
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Rival Organizations Are Both Char.
tered by State Corporation
Commission.
FIGHT OVER INCORPORATION
Issue Expected to BE Brought Before
Legislature This Wintcr-pcrry
Heads One Chamber and TEMPLE
the Other.

! Hopewell re-enforccd it's claim to the
title of The Wonder City" and made
fresh bid for national fame yester.
; sive citizens OF that mans town" won
| for it the distinction of being the only
business community In America that
may boast of having two Chambers OF
Commerce.
! New York. Chicago and many other
! large cities have rival associations
, each claiming to be the representative
business mems organization; but the
situation in Hopewe.!s case is different
I Each holds claim 10 the name as well
rs the fame designated by the title
Chamber of Commerce.
Rival factions Of the business men.
backed by opposing political factions.
applied to the state Corporation Com
mission for charters. Each wanted TO
be known AS the Chamber of Com
| mcrce. The commission settled the
controversy in short order The first
application filed was the first passed
upon. The principal officers of the
organization are Police Justice Law
renee Perry. president, and y. Bloom.
berg, secretary. They scored a victory
by being first on the ground Their
organization was chartered as tho
/ iiopcwrll Chamber of Commerce. Inc.
TEMPLE AND WATTS HEAD
RIVAL CONpORtTIUN
This necesSitated a different name
for the opposing faction, who had to
content themselves with charter for
the Chamber OF Commerce OF Hopcwcl
Va. Thomas Temple is the president
,of the latter organization and J. I-ciccs-
ter Watts is the secretary
4. orr N in ~
backed by the political faction that is
making a fight to have the Hopewell
community Incorporated by the i.cgs-
iature rs city OF 10000 population.
/ The rival organization has the back
ing Of the political element hghtiug
TO restrict the corporate limits ana
secure charter from the courthouse
for a town OF less than 5000.
In political circles the clash o. YES
terday is regarded as the first gun
fred in II political war between tho
clans. the decisive engagement OF
which will lie fought in the General
Assembly when the bill for the i'm
/ corporation % IIopcwcll as a city is
introduced next month
y preliminary skirmish. however. IS
expected between the 'small-town'
forces and the "hiI-towu' forces in the
Circuit Court OF Prince George County
when the former faction applies for :,
AZ III -
torncys representing the interests Of
the "biG-town" faction viii appear In
court and ask 4 continuance OF any
proceedings that may be inaugur.ttcd
until after the Legislature has taken
action on the petition and Dill asking
for city charter.
rs soon as the charters were award
. cd representatives OF the two cham
I bers OF commerce left Richmond in
| "a race for Washington. where each
! will apply for admission to member
ship In the National Chamber of Com
mcrce.
/ An unconfrmed report from Hone.
: wen iast night was TO the effect that
! thcre was :: movement on foot TO bring
I the rivals 10 some agreement whereby
| the two may settle the difficulties and
! amalganatc.
| Hoih organizations met last night
| III powder town. and while there was
| much discussion. no action of any inn
/ poriancc WAS taken.