The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
MIR. L. ID. WILLIAMS RECOUSTS
IMPORTANT ACTIVITIES

During my administration constant
attention was paid to each of our gem
eral and permanent missions or duties
such as James river freight rates and
general interests. which, like the
poor. we have with us always and
needing close attention
In addition under the head of new
business there was accomplished
much Of lasting value. for there was
right spirit abroad.
1t was due to the persistent and eff
fecttve efforts Of the cha am Der that the
United States. weather bureau was
established here This case uniquely
illustrated the necessity and value Of
the chamber, The government want
ed to locate IT'S weather bureau here
hut officials had predetermined that
there was no satisfactory site except
Chimhorazo park. This was bitterly
opposed and fought by certain pri-
Vate interests working in favor OF
their sites, and nv others who fear
ed damage to Chimborazo park and
to their continuous property The
government was firm and finally d.
clared the bureau would be located In
some other city, unless our city coun-
ell granted the little plot in Chin
horazo
Such was the rower Of private in
forests that hut for the work of the
chamber there would have been lost
forever this enormously vaiua HE AS
set. which daily advertises Richmond
and places Il before the eyes of the
entire nation
For the first time in lis history the
chamber esta blIshed n cooperative
alliance with our city government
The cit" appropriated an annual fund
nf z T6n al s@o -f ct, n
the work and brought here conven-
tons representin~ the LARGEST indus
tries and CT nitaHsts Of this country
to which our many advantages were
presented
At the same time there was sn~-
cessfuliv devoloned the most cordial
relations with the city government
whereby the cham hers influence was
very useful and effective In every mat.
ter of importance to the neonle.
The annexation of Manchester was
urged and bv nuhlic hearing and dis.
cuss'ons was promoted TO success
fur decision
II being generally conceded that our
old form Of ritv government nv coru
mittees of council had become I'M
satisfactory. tho question of what new
system should he adopted was given
earnest consideration bv the cham
Der. Puhlc meetings We're held and
opportunities nfforfod to bring ont MI
the facts and theories. pubIic ontnto7
was formed and the Anal result was
the administrative board hut the
chamber ContcUted ITSELF with bringing
mt pubic opinion. rather than in
fluencing the final details
PASSING over the regular. steady,
hard work in behalf Of our fixed in
terests requiring constant attention.
and passing hv the above special
items 7 corNn IN what in nv ontnion
were the chief accomplishment of my
administration
Tbs annual income was srnneht un
to s1S.62T, compared with ss 500 the
Tear previous to my presidency. white
Iffe.fr4@A-rr tr~r~.riU wav- similarly tu
creased to I'll mem hers
t. The first business manager was In :
stalled and fortunately FOR the cham
her and FOR me- THROUGH nv nersist-
ont efforts we secured the services of
w T. Dahney. who has 'niTllod a~r~v
expectation and measured M to every
re"utrement
Wa had AfreaAe-fff- our srrrrtnry-
p A. Dunlon an Officer OF great
abilities. reinforced nv the cnnstrain-
ing mower OF high and noble char
actar.
We had our important traf'1~ bureau
in the nhia and nntirinR hands of r.
3 Goodman.
With these officers ~uprIem anted by
business manager to do the gem
eral outside work and with an income
sufficient for tho first time To carrv Z