The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-22
RICHMOND, PROSPEROUS SOUTTrS BUSINESS
CENTER HAS ENJOYED UNPRECEDENTED YEAR
OF INDUSTRIAL AND COMMERCIAL EXPANSION

alton, to which the coal operators
refer, justities the horizontal increase
OF about 81 per ton. When the ques-
tion was considered by your board of
directors, the opinion prevailed that
1t was simply n case of getting all
the profit you can A committee
from the chamber took the matter
up with the chamber OF commerce
of the United States, and the matter
was referred 10 their board OF direc-
tors for action. The matter is being
thoroughly investigated This is a
vital question. not Only to the con-
sumers of steam coal, but to all con-
sumers. If the one Ia advanced all
coal prices will advance.
AS long as the country is without
adequate storage facilities for the as
semhling of coal just so long will
the condition now confronting us &C.
cur, The ultimate protection OF
Richmond lies in the coal basin at
out door, and should the present
price of coal continue, ii will not be
surprising If some one with sufficient
money and nerve does not again start
coal operations in our local mines
which have been so long neglected.
West Point Urbanna Railway.
'It is gratifying to state that the
committee, of which Mr.. T. NJ. Car
rington Is chairman. has announced
that Richmond's pro rata share OF
the amount necessary to subscribe to
insure the building OF railroad
from West Point to Trbanna has
been subscribed. and that all rail
connections with that section OF Vir-
ginia not heretofore available to our
merchants, will soon be established.
In this territory are more than $4,000
people. and an investigation will
show that II we can establish trade
relations with them the sum sub
scribed by our people will come back
to Richm ond many times over in an
nual sales.
While the committee who success
fully concluded this splendid work
was not committee from the cham
Der. in their efforts they had the
sympathetic and loyal support of our
organization.
Fiftieth Anniversary.
"On the 6th day OF September,
1867. the organization meeting OF the
Richmond chamber OF commerce was
held at the Tobacco exchange in this
city. pursuant to a call OF number
Of our then leading citizens.
!. 1.-The principles for which the
chamber originally stood and the OBJ
continued without change to the
present day. which In a large meas
ure accounts for its success
"On September 9Th. next, II will
he proper. / think. to have an ami
versary meeting of the chamber,
with an attractive program BETTING
the occasion.
The Press.
Again. IL is the pleasure OF your
president to attest the hearty and
cordial spirit OF cooperation on the
part of our newspapers. In every In
stance they have shown that It was
their desire to aid us in our efforts
in any way In their power On be-
half Of this organization / extend
them our hearty thanks and appre-
citation.
The Needs OF Richmond.
During the year in the columns Of
the chambers magazine appeared
numerous articles setting forth the
needs of Richmond, some Of the
most important OF which are as fol-
lows:
Better housing facilities for
working people.
Deepening the channel of
James river.
Urging the national govern
mcnt to build highways to the
battlcfields OF Richmond.