The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-11

that was right and just constituted
him nm adviser OF unequalled safety
and defender of great strength. He
was a champion of the cause of the icl-
provement of James River, knowing
probably more about the river. its com
merce. the history of it's Improvement
and it's possibilities than any other one
person. His article appearing In the
January, 1915, issue of Richmond"
written so very short a time before
his death and mentioned elsewhere in
this report. was one of the most ad-
mirable papers which ever emanated
from him. and was in the nature Sf an
invaluah 2e legacy to the chamber.
OUR BUSINESS AS AFFECTED BY
THE WAR.
In my report a year ago l referred
to the many causes combined to de-
press business generally.san the bust
ness of those whom 1t was the duty
Of this body to serve. In the early
part of the year the worldwide war
continued to have a depressing effect
but during the latter part of the year
lin fact, in the early summer, business
generally commenced to show a de
cided forward movement. and by the
end of the year we were breakin Z
all records; SO that from ali informa-
tions / can get everyone is enjoying
the best and most prosperous business
in the history of Richmond. AS the
figures have been published In detail
through the press / am going to cal
your attention only TO few of the
following facts. which show in no I'M
certain terms the condition OF Dust
ness in Richmond.
In 1915 our bank cIearings were
S537,261,390. an increase of Pas
per cent over 1914
On December 81. 1915, our deposits
were 5S,445,S24.9s. an increase OF
PAS per cent over the corresponding
date of 1914.
| wish 10 emphasize these increases
over the same date of last year:
Clearings, 81 per cent
Deposits, "a per cent.
Our banking capital and undivided
profits were S19.651,123, an increase
of 4.34 per cent.
Our tobbing sales were $40, S33, $50.
an increase of .02 per cent.
Our manufactured products were
$99.756,753, an increase Of f.6 per
cent
Discounts of the Federal Reserve
Bank were $47,37s,117.79.
y Internal revenue collections were
s7Ss2,764.
Duties on imports were S776,015.
Inc postoIlEe TeCeiptS were %'ip'-
216.
The assessed value OF real and per-
sonaI property was 100000.
Considering the extremely adverse
conditions existing in the early part
of the year. l think these increases
speak well for Richmond and the wise
end energetic administers ton OF our
business institutions.
Membership and Finance of the
Chamber.
In my report year ago I called
your attention to the fact that this
chamber reflected at all times the con-
dition OF business in the community
AT the beginning of the year 1918 we
had on our rolls / ,i2l members. owing
to the adverse conditions existing in
the early part of the year and to other
causes we lost 1874 members during
that period. leaving our membership
at s9f. We elected forty new mem
bers during the year, making our
membership at the beginning OF the
present year 1897. The membership
committee has conducted a campaign
for new members and increased reve-
nue., and on February l We elected
sixty-three new members, bringing our
membership up TO LOO. and succeed
ed in inducing number of our mem
bers to increase the dues which they
had been paying. Several committees
that are yet 10 report. which will
bring the membership up 20 point
greater than II was a year ago, while
our revenue has been materially IN
creased. In fact. the chamber today
Is out OF debt and has available re-
sources In sight to meet every need
for the remainder Of the year The
membership. committee and the en-
larged committee working in connec-
ton with IL did splendid work. and
their appeals, / am happy To state.
were met with prompt and welcome
response. | gratefully acknowledge
the very liberal support given this
enlarged committee and the member
ship committee. Coming as ii did inst
AT the closing of my administration,
] feel sure that it is an endorsement
from the community of the work Of
the chamber for the psst wear.
Work of tho Chamber.
The many questions which engaged
tho active and earnest efforts of the
chamber during the past year neces-
STATED, as / have stated. working a
great many of our committees to the
limit and the appointment of special
to investigate. consider
and report TO the board on matters
OF special Importance Initiated by the
chamber 1 will call your attention
TO the work OF a few OF these special
and the execution of
their work, In my judgment. has been
OF inestlmabie value to the city of
Richmond
In March the chamber appointed a
special committee, authorized to CO.
operate with other organizations seek
ing TO induce voters to qualify and ex-
ercise their right of suffrage. This
called meeting OF the
representative citizens OF Richmond.
TO be held in the Mechanics Iusti-
tute. and formed permanent organ
ization, Of which Mr.. T. NJ. Caring.
ton is president. This organization
has done splendid work. as evidenced
by the increase In the qualified voters
OF some 1000, and there is still more
work ahead for it. which I feel sure
1t Is going TO accomplish. Right here
allow me to say that our government
Is just what the best citizens make it.
and unless our good citizens qualify
and vote. 1t is nobody's fault but ours
II our municipal and State affairs are
Emergency Fund Re