The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-22

most cordially entertained while
here. In addition to strengthening
the trading relations Ivy personal con-
tact. many OF the visiting mechants
while here buy largely from our mer-
chants and manufacturers.
Richmond as trading market,
being in close competition with Bal
timore, Philadelphia and New York.
demands that our merchants and
manufacturers should be alive and
alert IN their efforts, collectively and
individually, to keep Richmond in as
close touch as possible with the re-
tail merchants in Virginia. North and
South Carolina. Your bureau is.
therefore. of the opinion that the
manufacturers and jobbers of our city
should continue this work. II nos
along this line. in some manner that
would accomplish the desired end
Membership.
Il desire to express the thanks OF
the chamber to the members of the
membership committee and other
members of the chamber who worked
with the committee, for their splen-
did work during the past year. Ow-
Ing to the prohibition laws. which
went into effect November !. a num-
Der of our most liberal and co-opera-
tive mem bers were forced to retire
from business or move out OF the
state, but in spite of this, through the
. efforts OF the above committee the
total mem bership Of the chamber, in
Guiding applications on file on Jan
nary l. was ,054. or an increase over
the preceding year OF seventeen mem
bers Seventeen new members does
not seem a great many. but when we
consider the number of designations
during the year due primarily TO pro-
hibition laws the work Of the COM
mittee has brought wonderful re-
suits
Post0fite.
"At the last annual meeting YOUR
then president stated mot in his re-
nort1 that he had information from
Washington that the authorities would
approve the Eleventh and Main
streets property for the extension OF
the postoffice Since then the prop
ertv has been acquired by the gov
eminent. and when a public build
ings bill can be enacted, our repre-
sentatives in Washington will see TO
il that the Richmond postoftice will
be named therein.
The City Government.
During the past year the board OF
directors passed a resolution request
ing the chairman to ask a certain
number of our members to attend the
regular meetings Of the city council.
This action was taken, that our rep
resentatlves in the city government
might realize that it was the desire
OF the business people not only to
cooperate with them In their efforts,
but TO manifest greater interest in our
local government when the ques-
ton was considered AZ the directors
meeting Il developed that hardly any
one present had attended a meeting
of any kind at the CITY Hall. unless
his appearance was In the interest OF,
or in opposition to some measure to
be considered. What was true of
your board of directors is. I believe.
also true OF the body IS a whole, and
ii is to be hoped that during this
year. when our me bers are asked to
attend these meetings. they will do
so. even AT some personal sacrifice.
When we consider that our represen-
tatives In the legislative branch of our
city government give their time and
earnest efforts 10 the city without re-
munera ton it does seem that II is
our duty 10 show them. by our inter
est in their work. that we appreciate
the sacrifice they are making
know each and every one of them
want to do their very best for the
city and when matters OF vital in
terest come before them they will not
repel, hut welcome and appreciate
Your counsel advice and co-opera-
ton. Certainly past experience has
shown that our city fathers give pa
;ient and thoughtful attention to the
chambers representatives. when they
appear before them, and where II ia
possible, cordially lend their support
20 the recommendations suggested.
What Is true of the legislative branch
s also I believe, true OF the admin
istvative branch Of our CITY govern
ment 7 therefore. strongly recnm-
mend more earnest and careful
study OF orr City's condition and the
develohment OF hearty spirit OF CO.
operation between our business peo-
ole snd the legislative and adminis-
finances has made the people stop
tratiye branches OF our city
The present condition OF our Clty's
and think. Nothing can be gained
tY acrimony, hut n great deal by
calm and intelligent cooperative IN
vestieation OF the City's affairs and
when this invest igation is completed
| can hut believe that conditions will
not be as many OF our citizens now
think them, and In the end some
plan Will be worked o,it TO the in
/ (tTest OF all. our mNnIClpai COM
mittee during the year has facili-
tated the operation OF many indus
tries in matters pertaining to the
municipality. and recently. coop
Grating with the building inspector,
secured modification of the build
ing code regarding the use OF old
bricks. which means great savin 9
in the construction OF new buildings
The Coal situation.
Our manufacturers have learned
with great regret. and. I might add
some resentment, OF the determine
/ lion OF the mine operators TO put up
the price OF steam coal TO SO per
ton AT The mouth OF the mines for
the new wear commencing April /
1917 This means an increase OF
nearly 200 per cent. and an increased
total expenditure 10 our Richmond
manufacturers estimated at over
100000 per year. This action on
the part OF the operators cannot be
justified by the increased cost OF pro-
duction. nor are the buyers of coal
satisfied that the car shortage stu