The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-11-07

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vA3eA have largely increased the vol
uSne Of their business. The lumber
0uofness has grown wonderfully. The
tfeat demand for homes has com
oollAd the plants of the lumhermen
and the woodworkers 10 operate over
0ms and to enlarge their space and
equipment All industries are grow
Ing.
late Closing Hours.
Because OF Hopewell with its thou
sands of people drawn from all parts
Of the world, both retail and whole
sale business has grown TO almost gi-
santic proportions stories IN Pc
tersburg at one time had closing hours
that came in the evening Now the
stores close seldom al the oid-tme
hours. Many OF the retail business
places are open three. four. or I'VE
nights each week until near the mid
night hour. Many clerks and sales
people have been added TO the forces
employed In the retail stores. Whole
sale and tooh!ng business has de.
vpiop-d such volume that several of
the honses which shipped on the same
dsy that orders were received now
find themselves as much as ten days
to TWO weeks behind their orders.
At the Charles Leonard Hardware
Store handling at wholesale and re-
tall, hardware, mill supplies, build
ing supplies. tools, sporting goods and
SO forth. 1t was said yesterday that
such business had never before been
seen This concern. established sew
enty wears ago and for many years
past one OF the largest hardware
houses n the South. hnds itself com
PEELED TO keep its retail store open IN
~ after II o'clock at nigh: three to
four nights weekly and to employ
dGren or more additional salespeople.
The shipping rooms are a scene OF the
greatest activity as efforts are made
to catch up with orders.
There have been no holidays. no
vacations, fer us this year, said an
Official Of the Charles Leonard Com
rsary Yesterday we have never been
so busy. Ant others here tell us they
ere just aE busy
Tnthusiasn and Optimism.
Business men throughout the city
ore enthusiastic. optimistic, satisfied
They point 70 the fact that other
industries are hum uing~-that the big
guucotton plant IL not the only con-
trttutor--.hHt business generally is
better than an era of prosperity. that
viii long continue, has dawned.
After the war. when munitions are
shaw VII continue TO be ordered by
powers securing preparedness against
possibility OF troubles In the future.
There will tie orders for explosives for
commercial agricultural and scien-
tire uses The orders will continue In
sufficient volume. declare level head
I'd BUSINESS men. to assure steady. con"
.snuous operation on large scale--a
scale large enough 70 Justly Dupont
De Nerours Il Co. IN their expendi-
ture Of some t2s GEO. 900. which the
creation Of the great establishment
viii have cost when completed.
business IA bound to continue
good: Petersburg Is certain 10 CON
tsnue TO grew" declared Ashton w
Gray one OF the city's leading com
mission men. a prominent figure In
the establishment Of the electric line
from Petersburg 10 City Point, which
vii, be placed In operation about the
hrs. OF the year. and promoter OF Fast
Petersburg, large residential sec
ton being developed along the cor
poration line on An extension Of
wythe and East Bank Streets Mr.
Cray pointed TO the showing made by
sank reports and to the rapidly en-
hAncin1 realty values In the city and
around It. Sycamore Street bust
ness blocks" he declared. have In
creased In value one hundred per cent
within the last few morths"
Homes Greatest Need.
Homes u Petersbnrg's greatest
need The Petersburg Chamber OF
Commerce il urging investors seeking
safe and substantial returns TO place
their money In city or suburban realty
on which they may build houses for