Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-07
HOW RICHMOND LOOKS
TO 0BsERvANT OUTSIDER
frying Correspondent Sees Industrial
Activities That Open His Eyes.
Story He Has to Tell.
LEADS WORLD IN SOME LINES
Banks That Are Mt the Top-Iron
Works That Attract-Activity and
Cooperation Among Business Men
OF All Kinds-Pcrlnnnent Exhibit.


OF All Kinds-Pcrnnncnt Exhibit.
dying correspondent of the Manu-
facturers Record paused in Richmond
the better part of II day during the
past week. and. while he did not have
time to see and learn of all of Rich
monds greatness as an Industrial and
big business proposition, he did learn
great deal. The letter of this corre-
spondent. published in the current
issue of his paper, is we'll worth
reading.
Richmond has n population of up
ward of 10000" he writes. land an
area of twenty-six square miles. with
in whose borders there is invested in
manufacturing enterprises over $780,
100000. annually yielding products of
more than sl00. 900. 900 value
"Richmond's financial institutions are
strong and representative. with com
oincd resources OF practically $4,000
600 and combined capital and surplus
of nearly Sl9.000.000. In addition to
having six important trunk lines and
railways. radiating In all directions
the city has public wharves served by
three daily steamship lines. 1t is two
hours ride to Hampton Roads. three
Baltimore and eight hours to New York
Richmond has 81 tax rate, based on
three-fourths value. of only $40 per
$500, pays a State tax OF 80 cents per
500. and pays no county tax, has n
property valuation OF practically s23l.-
100000: has public debt of $4,000, 900,
with public assets OF S23.O0O,OOo.
AS manufacturing center. the city
is Ideally located. and II is claimed
that forty out of each 100 of it's citizen
snip is engaged in industrial work.
cheap power is basis of great in
dustrial development, and the fact that
Richmond is located on the James
River. where the fall of water is about
l25 feet should make 1t a still greater
manufacturing center. Another rca-
ture TO its credit is the municipalIy
owned gas. water and electric plants.
Ihat it's business citizenship Is alert
is attcstcd by the fact that the city
has large auditorium, seating 900
people; has permanent Manufacture
ers' Exhibit of Richmond made goods.
and Chamber OF Commerce with a
membership of over $500 active mem
bers; Business Mems Club OF GOO
members. and substantial Rotary
Club
It's merchants are and have been
"aging Il campaign of better ac-
Guaintance' among buyers within a
radius OF l75 TO 200 miles Of Richmond
III most every line of commercial bust
ness the heads of concerns report that
conditions nave not only shown i'm
provemcnt the past thirty davs. hu,
that they really look very rosy for the
Immediate future. Many OF the depart
cent increase in their business over
the same period last year. The bank
ers report that money is easy, and col
lections are showing steady improve
mcnt. They anticipate that with the
tobacco crop of the state showing IN
50 we'll with prospects of better prices
than anticipateD, with fine grain crops
ana the good feeling which has pre-
vailed since the cotton market has
shown decided Improvement, the
FARMERS and producers arc going to be
in good shape to take care of their
obligations. Bank clearings for Sep
tembef 1915, were more than $1,000
QUO in excess of those for the CORE
spending month last year
The foundry and iron interests are
doing an excellent business The head
of one of the stove fouudries (and this
has been the hardest hit OF the foundry
busincSs) said the improved conditions
experienced the past two weeks was n
surprise to him. His shop is running
full time. y foundry running on gov
eminent material reports satisfactory
conditions, and two plants operating
on foreign war munitions are pushing
their output vigorously.
"Richmond's numerous and most ey-
cellent hotels are doing a satisfactory
business-a very dependable barometer
as to business conditions in IA CONNER
cial city.
Richmond occupies. in some re-
spects. n rather unique position in
manufacturing lines. II occupies the
distinction Of having the largest cigar
factory In the world, the largest cira
rcttc factory in the world, largest
baking powder factory i'm the world.
largest blotting paper industry i'm
America, largest bottled navoriug en-
tract plant in the world. the home of
old Virginia Chcroots and Pin Money
products. the latter being a large and
profitable preserving business. owned
and operated by woman who years
ago started in modest way canning
fruits, etc. at her home for pin money!
Within the city there Is manufactured
annually 00.000.0 900 cigars and 5000
0O0.6oO cigarettes, together with an
enormous quantity of chewing and
smoking tobacco"