Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-04
CHAMBER LAUNCHES
AGRICULTURE BUREAU
VIII Seek to Develop Resources Of
Counties Surrounding
Richmond.
FARM EXPERT TO BE EMPLOYED
Extend Financial Aid to Those En-
larging Their Output-Ask COun-
Gil to Discontinue Sanitary Market
Tax OH Country Carts.

one Of the most important under
takinGs in the history OF the organizu-
tion was yesterday launched by the
Richmond Chamber OF Commerce. when
the agricultural and Immigration com
Ia ttce laid plans looking towards the
formation OF n permanent department
Of agriculture, to he conducted by ihe
chamber.
The action Of the committee is final,
ana II only remains for necessary ar
rangements 10 be made before the de-
partmcnt is in operation.
The principal object OF the depart
mcnt will be To stimulate the growth
Of food products i'm the surrounding
counties and in doing this, the farmers
arc to he given all possible assistance.
The department will employ two
demonstration agents, both of whom
Will be experts in their line. There
are TWO prospects for these positions,
and if they are secured the chamber
will be assured OF having the most
capable services il is possible to OBJ
tain. \ man who has been promi-
nently connected with farm demonstra-
tion work is one Of the parties whom
the chamber seeks To employ. and a
woman. who. in addition to being
thoroughly rcrsed in agriculture. makes
/ 1t pi instruction as 10 canning
produce. is the second.
WILL EXTEND FINANCIAL.
ASSISTANCE TO FARMERS
In addition To rendering assistance
to the farmers through this medium,
II is the intention that arrangements
will he made 10 extend financial aid in
worthy cases.
y subcommittee, headed by o. j.
nd .,T Al
S. w. Tompkins and Coleman wortham.
president Of the chamber, Will to-day
confer with tho heads Of Richmond
banking institutions to see il provision
can be made to loan money to farmers
in the surrounding counties when il
would facilitate production. The
money would be loaned according TO
regulation banking methods. and at
tho usual rates of interest. The bants
would have the fun operation of
the chamber in making such loans.
II is believed. in view Of the state
mcnts Of local banks showing con
Stantly increasing resources that this
feature can b. arranged: IL So il is
believed that il viii prove of great
value especially TO the smaller farmer
The new department will operate
with the United states Department of
.\SIituitNTc Hnu win the county
visor. Offices viii he maintained I'm
the Chamber of Commerce Building
and the bureau will be at the disposal
of members Of the chamber or other
citizens who seek information in re-
gard TO farm work.
II IS confidently expected that IL VIII
greatly benefit every interest i'm The
city by serving TO attract outsiders
To Richmond
WILL. ASK COUNCI.
TO DISCONTINUE Tan
rue COMMITTEES on agriculture and
immigration also passed u resolution
Yesterday asking the colisidcra ton Of
the board Of directors Of the chamber
Tor a petition To the city Council To
discontinue the sanitary market tax
charged farmers for tho use OF the
streets in the vicinity OF tho market
for hisposnG OF their products direct
I" the consumer. The removal Of this
tax. II is believed, would greatly en-
courage farmers To bring their produce
To Richmond for disposal
Yesterdays meeting WAS held IN the
board of directors room OF tho Amcri.
can National Bank, aud tho following
committeeman were present: q. j.
Sands. chairman. and 4. L. Adamson.
Y. l.. Rianton, u. Morgan Shcppcrd. n.
w. Tompl<ins and President Coleman
Workman.