Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-05
BANKS VILE COOPERATE
WITH new FARM BUREAU.
Fund Of $4,000 to he Made. Avail.
able for Agricultural
Loans.
EXPERTS WILL BE EMPLOYED
New Bureau of Chamber OF Com.
merce Maps Out Campaign for In
creased Production From Farm
Land Near Richmond.

Right on the heels of the decision
OF the bureau OF agriculture and i'm
migration of the Richmond Chamber
OF Commerce to establish n permanent
department OF agriculture in connec-
ton with tho chamber. 1t was an
nourccu last night that In all prob
ability the new department Will be in
operation early this coming week.
The announcement was made by o.
J. Sands. who. heading committee
composed OF y. l.. Adamson. S. w.
Tompkins and Coleman Workman,
president of the chamber. yesterday
conferred with prominent Richmond
banking interests in an effort to pro-
vide funds to be loaned farmers when
the money would stimulate agricul-
tural development.
This effort was completely SUCCESS
full. and the only bar which stood in
the way Of the department being es-
tablishcd on successful basis was
raised.
Under the proposition advanced by
the Chamber Of Commerce. the depart
ment will be under the supervision OF
the agriculture and immigration bu-
reau. and will employ two agents; one,
farm demonstration who has been
uniformly successful in this work. and
the other. a woman who. in addition
to being VOL vcrscd In agricultural
development. has made a speciality of
nstructing classes and individuals in
canning various produce.
BANKS PROMISE THEIR
HEARTY COOPERATION
In addition to furnishing the services
Of these agents. the chamber also in
tends. in worthy cases. to advance
funds to farmers where the loan will
serve to aid production. The commit
tee looking after this latter feature
met with banking interests in tho
Clearing House Association yesterday
afternoon and. after explaining the
movement under consideration. was as
sured OF fullest cooperation and imam
cial assistance.
Under the proposed plan. fund OF
$4,000 Will be raised. In which all of
the banks in Richmond Will be given
an opportunity to participate. Where
application is made for a loan. tho
case will be Investigated by the agri-
culture departments agent. and II
found worthy. the money Will be forth
coming in accordance with regulation
banking methods and at the usual
rates OF interest. The fund is to be
known as the Increased production
fund"
The banks will have the co cooperation
OF tho chamber in making loans. and
the money will only be made available
In those cases where II is assured that
II will fulfll the intention for which
It Is designed.
In commenting on the readiness of
Richmond bankers to support this
project. Mr. Sands last night echoed
the sentiment of others who had given
the matter consideration that II was
one Of the most important. and at tho
same time destined to be one OF the
most beneficial. undertakings ever
launched In Richmond.
HOPES idea WILL he
FOLLOWED THROUGHOUT SOUTH
II believe that II IS the best thing
that could possibly have been done.
and hope that the idea Will be fol-
lowed throughout the South" stated
Mr.. Sands.
While the department will be at tho
service Of members OF the chamber or
other citizens who are interested in
agricultural development. II Is de-
signed primarily to attract the farm
ers In this vicinity.
This is especially true so far AZ tho
financial end is concerned. for II Is
expected that the fund which Will be
made available will be doubiy valuable
to the class of agrculturists who do
not conduct operations on q scale large
enough to establish banking connec-
tons.
BY aiding the farmers. those who arc
interested in the movement declare
that the city will benefit greatly by
the trade that is bound TO he attracted
here: that instead OF depending en-
tirely on the manufacturing interests,
the whole of the surrounding terri
tory Will also he made available
The department will maintain Offices
in the Chamber of Commerce.