Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-07
CHAMBER HOLDS
GOLDEN BIRTHDAY
Richmond's Foremost Business
Organization Celebrates It's
Fiftieth Anniversary.
STRIKING STORY OF PROGRESS
Ringing Applause Greets Woods
Appeal for Comprehensive
System of Good Roads.

when 1t was formed, the Richmond
Chamber OF Commerce met last night
at the Jefferson Hotel to celebrate tho
hftieth anniversary since its organ
ization.
When the Richmond Chamber of
Commerce was formed in 1867 the
South and Virginia were in the throes
of poverty and depression that is
almost unimaginable at this advanced
date. Then it had not recovered from
the horrors Of war. 1t was still suf-
fering from the persecution of tyran-
nical government. Conditions brought
about by scalawag and uncomfortable
government were desperate
The curtain has been dropped over
that condition of affairs and that
change of scenes show an entire re-
versal OF conditions. Virginia and
Richmond are no longer suffering from
financial depression or social degrada-
tion. Prosperity and happiness are
widely scattered. and there is no home
but that some measure of prosperity
and betterment has altered in.
CHAMBER BIG FACTOR
IN CITY'S PROGRESS
Va Hiohs VI lheSc progressive steps
the Chamber of Commerce has been
the cause and an indisputable factor
marking the line Of progress Allow
ing for periods OF depression and hard
ship. the Richmond Chamber of Com
meTce has enjoyed an unbroken and
uninterrupted period Of prosperity and
advancement. Its name since it's form
alton has continued the same. No rad
ical or noticeable change in it's organ
iZation has taken place.
During its long life of bettcrment
the Richmond Chamber of Commerce
has been the pilot at the wheel. guild
Ing the city and the State on to bet
ter and greater things. In its recen.
history the Chamber of Commerce has
erected two beautiful homes. It's first
home was on the site of the present
First National Bank Building, and was
cold to this bank at handsome profit.
Then 1t proceeded to erect that beauti-
full and modern ten-story structure
that stands on the corner of Sixth and
Main Streets-the present home Of the
Chamber of Commerce.
In its modern life. Richmond has
lived new era OF progress and pros
perity. Great things-undreame of in
the recent past-have been grasped
and retained for the advancement of
richmond and the South primarily
through the medium Of the Chamber
of Commerce.
JOYOUS CELEBRATION OF
NEW ERA OF PROSPERITY
Last night saw the celebration OF
this new era. And joyous celebra-
tion 1t was. Each member evidently
felt the amount of good that he had
contributed. and rcjoiced in the prog
ress of-with the exception of the
Charleston. S. c.. Chamber OF Com
merce. the oldest organization OF its
kind in the United States-the Rich
mond Chamber OF Commerce.
Gaily bedecked in patriotic colors
was the auditorium of the Jefferson
Hotel Trials and business troubles
had been cast to the four winds of
the earth. The audience had come
there to celebrate. not to worry and
bemoan lost opportunities. But to
listen to the recounting Of the &C.
tivities Of the Chamber OF Commerce,
1t was difficult to understand and dis
Germ where there had been any lost
opportunities.
About 400 men. representing nearly
all of the city's commercial and in
dustrial organizations. were present.
And when the lights were thrown on
in the auditorium there were the ex-
presidents with the present executive,
Coleman Wortham, seated on the ros-
trum.
At the beginning The Star-Spangled
Banner" was played, with the audience
standing. The music for the occasion
was furnished by Kessnich's Municipal
Band. All through the program the
music enlivened the audience with
patriotic and plantation melodies
Every now and then the audience was
entertained with solos by lacal talent
NEW YORK OFFICERS ARE
GUESTS Of OCCASION
begun. the staff officers of the Forty
seventh New York Regiment. now on
duty here, entered, and were accorded
an enthusiastic and uproarous recep-
ton. at the end of the program, Cap
tain Edrop, chaplain of the regiment.
made delightfully."- entertaining and
appreciatiVe speech to a thoroughly
receptive audience. This speech was
made in behalf Of the colonel com.
mandinG and the officers of :he regl-
ment
1t was with disappointment that the
audience heard from Mr.. Wortham. who
was presiding, that the doctor had re-
fused to allow Colonel William II.
Palmer, the sole surviving charter
member. to come out on such a raw
night. But his speech OF congratula-
tion and greeting to the organization
was read by Colonel Julien II. Hill.
When Judge Christian arose to speak
the disappointment of the audience
passed away. They became satisfied
and soon forgot their disappointment.
Bot other disappointment were in store
for them. S. w. Travers and e. G.
Leigh, Jr.. were unable to be present
But in each instance their messages of
greeting were read by friends. Tho
speeches of these ex-president on the
platform wore couched in delightfully."-