Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-07

tno auspices OF tne chamoer. 70
ciation. this association. working In
conn eonn e, Iss1n, with the State Highway
county officials, to foster and en-
courage the building OF good roads by
every means In It's power.
T. ". DARLINGTON TELLS OF
CHAMBEIuS INFLUENCE
There were many large propositions
initiated during my administration, the
in,St o, which was the creation OF tho
come vital factor in the commercial
worid OF our city; taking initiative in
s .ne establishment OF the Federal re-
iarre Sae eitv and Inc opening the way for
other things that we tried. but did not
entirely carry through.
I had tho good fortune to have as
n ny intimate friends several of the
tamented John B. Purcell. the personal
exponent OF courage. fearlessness and
that Vas sr te ts ass., When knew
or the chamber. and fully approaching
us obligations and responsibilities, /
G Dpeceded the sterling men who had
been baptized in the fire Of carnage and and
oaItIe' IN the defense OF their State
ana It was the inspiration that 1 drew
me 70 carry on the work Of the cham
per. Tor these gentlemen showed the
d dems Split PR of. Of patriotism and self
peace that they did in war; and il was
t TINS spirit SO signally personifed BY
me mem fo, that; In my opinion. has been
CHAMBERS position-the absolute self
aDnesation and self-sacrifce of tim,
ana pleasure for the consideration of
the city's welfare and Its Commercial
interest. e'ai
j.. The chambers growth and impor-
lance mas ever been onward and up-
%aro; The foundation stone of tho
chambers work must be an absolutely
unselhsh devotion to the good Of the
c0mmunity and 10 safeguard it against
interest, and the chief aim OF my ad-
miniStration was to make every effort
Possioie to make the members Of the
cation in the transaction Of the busi-
ness OF the chamber. and instiil in
eve every member the feeling that the
fair dealing only could exist and T
know OF no commercial body whose
s shueac eot IN every activity Of the city
ened to. and bespeak an absoiute
confidence in its continued road to in.
huence and power.
w. r. REED GIVES ACCOUNT
OF YEARS Of GREAT PROGRESS
Inanks 70 the 1nselfsh and faithful
me during my term OF Office. the wears
OF 1919 and 1915 showed some crafty
ing s aiehfievements by the chamber.
Of our a among these these was the success
serve bank for Richmond. which was
won by campaign that marked tho
mig niEh tide of philosophical work in
During my term we also saw the
successful elimination OF the chambers
vigorous campaign for the extension
sy this. there were added to the area
- - Inc CITY sixteen square miles of
uy and a population of $4,000
peoPte. ~ also Increased taxable prom
erty by $4,000 900. and added ten PUB pub
lie schools
The chamber also gave it's earnest
manent Improvement Of Shockoe Creek
which was brought to a conclusion
satisfactory to all Interested in this
most important matter was the
tax conference. called by the chamber
10 consider the question OF revision OF
cesstul In securing the appointment of
lax revision committee. whose ef-
forts finally brought about a change
During these years the chamber.
through a special committee, worked
n pnf WS,ss on behalf Of union de-
actly what was desired. the agitation
resulted in the fine new station Of
the Atlantic Coast Line and Richmond,
now being built On the old Hermit Ee
,ox We all also worked with all our strength
River. holding many important meet.
ings with our congressional reDresen-
t ts and United States engineers in
ried on in Congress by Consressman
Montague and Senators Martin and
swanson. met with gratifying success
plogm my fsS 1peaS Mb1ni City En-
mended by the chamber in 1918. was
actually established by the city gov
ernment: We are all familiar with the
excellent work that the bureau per-
forms.
The Southern Railway, at this time.
announced ITS great improvements of
its freight facilities in Richmond. which
nave since become accomplished facts.
The chamber also succeeded in hav-
Ing the Atlantic Coast Line and the
lish a through train service between
dopewell and Richmond. which UNI
have come.
The chamber in these days also
, laanehed a movement for the enlarge
ment. as we all know, was ultimately
fought out to an entirely successful
conclusion.
a committee was appointed to con-
fer with West Point bankers on the
subject OF building a railroad from
West Point to Urbanna. to link Rich
tIoHo VIII inc Ilcn territory OF the
Northern Neck. which. up TO this time.
has been almost forbidden territory.
comm crcially, for US.
4 special committee on streets. roads
and parks. carried on an active cam
patGn to secure the Improvement Of
the Petersburg Turnpike and the open
ing of Monument Avenue
A special committee was authorized
to co operate with other organizations
i'm the movement to bring out full reg
movement which added many intelli-
gent voters to the lists. In 1915, the
chamber suffered a serious loss in tho
ty-fve years, had labored SO Faithfully
and ably as secretary of our organi,
cation. Time has done little to soften
the loss which al! Of us who were as
sociated with him experienced.