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

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ment Of number of bills and the
amendment of others. which, IL enact
ed into law, would have inturiously
affected not only our welfare. but also
the welfare of the Commonwealth.
The Legislative Committee is actively
at work now every day examining
every bill presented in the General
Assembly and taking such action as It
/ thinks necessary on those affecting
Richmond's welfare.
And | think the co: dial apprecia-
! ton and thanks, not only of the cham
Der. but of the entire business conf
munity. are due to Mr.. Arthur NJ. Cam
non, its mos, efficient chairman.
Trade Extension Bureau.
/ This bureau of the chamber, oper-
ated under the able leadership of Mr..
( w. Il. Broaddus. is one of its most
+ Important agencies. AS is well known.
the plan of this bureau is to induce
all merchants in the territory, wnetner
near to or far from Richmond. to
come to Richmond once a year or
oftener to make their purchases, re-
funding to them, under certain con-
ditions, the whole or a part of their
railroad fare. according to the
amounts of their purchases with
view of interesting not only the mer-
chants in Richmond. but also Of
bringing them and their customers to-
gether. and thus having them feel that
they are doing business with people
whom they know. In these days of
close competition he personal equa-
ton Is undoubtedly a factor.
he Better Acquaintance Week
/ conducted last summer IS the most
successful we have ever had, So mer-
chants having registered at the cham
Der, with reported purchases of $685.
600. Only forty-six of our merchants
reported sales This does not begin
TO give their actual amounts. as, nat
urallF. there were many purchases
made by visiting merchants during
the week which were not reported.
having been below the limit fixed for
refund of railroad fares. The cost of
advertising and entertaining these mer-
chants thus brought to Richmprd was
$'22 per merchant. In my judgment
the amount of actual purchases is not
the most important factor but / wish
10 emphasize that the simple &C. of
bringing the merchants here, letting
them see Richmond. see our market
and meet our people is worth many
tunes its ascertained cost
Advertising Committee.
This committee mas devoted great
zeal OF time to the preparation and
editing Of our monthly magazina
Richmond" 7 agree with this com
mittee, that this amaEazinc has been
OF great benefit to Richmond and the
chamber. 1t is mailed to all trading
centers in the United states and to
every American consul throughout the
world, resulting In many inquiries be
ing made of our merchants, tobbers
and other lines of business, which
are directly traceahlc to it, and 1t
enables tho members of the chamber
to keep in touch with matters per-
aiming TO the work of the chamber
published monthly therein.
Con>rntiOn Committee.
This committee a induced many
desirable associations =, hold their 1916
meetings in Richmond, but it's work
has been seriously handicapped the
past year, as nearly all OF the meet
tngs of the different associations were
naturally drawn to California last
year. during the Panama Pacific Elk
position, and on account Of the dis
lance from Richmond. It was impracti-
cable for this committee to be repre-
scented personally, as these conven-
ventions were held one after another
This committee has arranged to give
valuab BILE time this year to the work
or procuring conventions which are
TO be held the coming year In the East
and ! feel sure that they will be as
successful as they have been in the
past. 1t is with much qualification that
| take occasion TO state that the Ad-
yerttsing Committee of the City Coun--
ell has worked most tremendously with
this committee, assisting II in every
way possible.
Committee on streets, Roads uua
Parks
This committee has been very ac-
tive during the past year, PARTICULARS
with regard to the Improvement of the
Richmond and Petersburg Turnpike
The Importance of this is fully recog-
nized by our city authorities. and while
no definite action has been taken,
feel sure that during the coming year
there will be some decided action GA
the part OF the city looking to the
Improvement Of this and other roads
radiating from our city. There should
be some fixed ordinance on this most
important proposition,
This committee has also been active
in its efforts to have Monument Ave
nue. opened so that this section of gu,
city may be developed and am
pleas to report that it looks like the
city and railroads are in fair way
to reach a conclusion which will give
UP this relief.
Richmand. Rappahannock and North
ern Railroad Company.
Mr. Easley. chairman of the Roads
Committee, has also been chairman OF
the special committee working in con
junction with n committee from YVES
Point and a committee of bankers from
Richmond with view of building
railroad from West Point to Urbanna.
opening up a territory rich In agricul-
tural products. which willx mean n
great deal to Richmond The work OF