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

UltOlt1UIu uItISuO
CONTINUED from First page)
George L. Christian. s. II. Halves. l.
IL. Morris, john B. Purcell and r. D.
Williams.
President Reeds address was as
follows:
Gentlemen:
hardly think in any single year
of the Chambers history, have SO
many causes combined 10 depress
business and the interests which it is
a mission of this body 10 serve. 1t is
"a source, however, of much gratifi-
cation and pride at theis gathering
lof the Chamber to be able 10 report
satisfactory condition of the general
business affairs of our great city.
During the year just ended, we
nave had 10 contend with the after
effects of the tariff adopted in 1919;
the uncertainty as to the results OF
the currency legislation, threatened
war with Mexico and a war in Europe
Involving almost every nation on that
continent; causing an embargo on
p%sT~SeA SflpDieills anu aISEtNIiilA Aiic
fiscal arrangements and commerce. to
a greater or less degree. of every civil
li7ed country. Under such circum-
stances the showing made by Rich
mond's financial and business Inter-
ests for the year just past is most
fnota BILE
AS the figures have already been
published in detail by the press and
other mediums, I will only call your
4s. <19t }r4g Fa
Interesting Statistics.
The output of the industries Of
Richmond in 1914 amounted to sss,
MA $4,000. showing a decrease OF one
and one-half per cent compared with
those of the previous year
Johhers' sales amounted to s7e.-
STA 90; an increase over the pre-
vious year of fraction Of one per
cent. t22 ~ one per cent?
Our telephones increased 10 per
cent. the number now in use being
20. 1874.
Postoffice receipts amounted to
1852. $500. an increase of t6.5 per
cent.
Bank capital. surplus and undivided
profits amounted "a slS,S33,f5e 90, an
increase Of 90 per cent
Deposits were S4S, 9as. 92i 90; an In
crease Of IS per cent
Bank clearings amounted 10 s41t,-
$500 90: AN increase Of IS per cent.
This increase in most instances
would he unea t1ssactory in normal
times. but in the face Of the extremely
adverse and depressing conditions
which existed, they speak volumes for
Richmond's allotted shares. Suose
lions. and fer their wise and energetic
administration.
Pluck and Perseverance.
As one or two evidences Of the
pluck and perseverance, and good man
agement Of our business element, /
refer to the splendid and successful
effort made by our bank and business
men. with perfect team work. for the
Regional Bank. and also To the liberal
subscription to the Cotton Loan Fund
when ss1s 900. 90 was raised In less
than half hour at a meeting Of the
Chamber. and Immediately thereafter
stis, 900. 90 were subscribed more than
R!chmond's allotted share Suisse
uuently the banks Of Richmond sub
seribed an additional 1900, eao.0o to
complete the minimum amount re-
autred to make the plan effective. l
simply state these two instances to
show what We can accomplish when We
try, and work together.
MEM BERsHtp AND FINANCES OF
THE CHAMBER
The Chamber reflects at all times
the condition of business in the COM
munity. 1t cannot relax It's efforts IN
strenuous times, in fact 1t is then that
It's mission is o strive to improve con-
dtions and av~rt any evil consequences
coming from them. II is then that
the demands upon its time and means
are heaviest In the interest OF the pub
lie, but IL liz apt TO experience then
a disposition on the part of some OF
its members, to defer payment of dues
and under the circumstances reduce
Them. / am happy, however, to state
and gratefully acknowledge the very
liberal support which the Chamber
enjoys from most of its members.
Those, however. who were delinquent
made serious inroad upon the rev.
enues of the Chamber during the past
year. So much so that the closing
months OF last year. the Membership
Committee, assisted by other loyal
members, were called upon for the
purpose of using their influence with
sach members. | am glad to say this
enlargened committee did splendid
work and their appeals met with
prompt and welcome response, This
same committee contemplated ar eiab-
crate plan for increasing the member
ship of the Chamber; as We feel that
there is still considerable and very
desirable number of our citizens who
committee, however.( has postponed
making this campaign until sometime
during the coming year.
WORK OF THE CHAMBER
The questions which engaged the
active and earnest attention of the
Chamber during the year just past.
afford an illustration of the demand
upon the time and energy of the or
ganizatioa in periods of depression.
AS n rule. matters requiring investi-
CATION and action. are first consid-
cred by the appropriate standing COM
mitiee. or If ecessary. a special COM
mittee. their report is acted upon by
the board and finally. II necessary.
by the general membership Of the
Chamber. II no investigation Is re-
CURED, the board acts without ufl-
necessary delay. The limitations of
this report will only permit references
to few OF the questions which have
been handled by one or more of the
methods described.
ADVERTISING COMMITTEE.
The Advertising Committee. during
the year just past successfully
launch "a a magazine known as Rich