davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
SEMI-CENTENN|AL
MEETING ST|RS UP
RICHMOND SPIRIT
Chamber of Commerce Cele-
brates Anniversary With
=. Great Gathering Of Citizens

For several hours last night words
OF wisdom, prophesy and "reminiscences
were poured forth from the stage at
Jefferson hotel auditorium at the semi
centennial celebration of the chamber
OF commerce, Pictures OF the rise
and progress OF Richmond from the
smoking ruins of 1855 TO the splen-
did metropolis of today were portray
ed wildly by men who led the fight
against adversely and carried the ban J.
ner OF victory year by year.
In delightfully."- reminiscent mood
the various speakers told OF the won
derful work of the men who have
stood at the wheel OF empire and
the progress step by step OF the tot
tering and decrepit city toward re-
tuvenation and hopefulness.
The short addresses of the surviv-
tT7g FORMER t1pHttE Of tire rf11mhvr OF
commerce carry a history OF Rich
mond we'll worth preserving, and one
which may prove an Inspiration to
the young men who will In the years
to come relieve the veterans of the
labor and the love which they have
given to the upbuildr Of Their dear
old city
It was nearly q o'clock when Presi-
dent Coleman Workman called the
meeting TO order, Kessnichs band
had RECALLED the audience with popu-
lar melodies. and spirit of joyful
anticipation had spread throughout
the hall. Smiles were on every face.
and hearty handgrasps put men closer
together. With stern war confront
ing them. nothing but the bright
things OF life were referred to, as the
various speakers told their tales of
the work OF the chamber during the
various periods from 1898 to the pres
ent time. President Workman had
briefly referred to the work accom-
plished after the organization of the
body In 1867. when the city was
mere infant among organized munich
palities- Then the thread was taken
up by others.
Former Presidents s. w Travers.
Egbert @. Leigh and James r. Cor
don were unable to be present. They
sent messages OF love and good will.
however. Neither could Colonel Will
liam II. Palmer. the sole surviving
charter member of the chamber. be
present He sent his message. which
was delivered by Colonel Julian Fl.
Hin. and received with tremendous
applause.
Each speaker indicated that his pre-
oecessor had accomplished so much
himself. and then left many fine things
Tor the successor. that 1t had been al
most impossible to get through with
the great plans before the next sue
ceedfng man came Into once. This,
way OF stating the case caught the
audience. and there was nothing but
happy feeling pervacsng the atmos-
phere throughout the reports of the
progress made in the past fifty years
by the city. mainly through the CO.
operation or the men of the chamber
OF commerce.
Innovations in the shape of music
and song were introduced at oppor-
tune moments. letter Jones led In the
singing OF. patriotic aud other airs.
while solos were given by Messrs.
Rardwick and 6haddeck and by Pro-
lessor Ksssnich. Tho entire gathering
Joined In singing .OM Black Joe" Ny
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
BIGGEST WAR BILL
CARRIES MORE THAN
s5,OOO,OOO,O0O
Measure Favorably Reported
in House Surpasses Amy In
History of Nation

Washington. Sept. s.--The biggest
war bill, one for more than five bill
lion dollars. that has yet been pre-
scented to Uncle Sam. was pumped
down In the house late today. The
urgent deficiencies bill asking for s4,-
sic. 979,3 70-29 was reported favorahly
by the appropriations committee 1t
is not only the biggest war bill, but
the biggest appropriation measure IN
the history of the United States
Shortly after Chairman Fitzgerald
had brought in the bill. Secretary
Daniels. OF the navy, sent up a spe~
cfal request for an item OF $a25, 600 :
600 with which 10 build submarine
destroyers, making the total appro-
priation for war purposes s5.o36,s7a,-
370.2s
Practically all os the money asked
for Is needed IN prosecuting the war.
The war department and navy depart
nfent get most of 1t. but other depart
ments whose work has been indirectly
affected by the war need enlarged al
lotments.
The committee was able to an
nounce that It had pared down the
total requests from all departments
by the sum OF $3.50. 47s.9s6.
The departure from custom WAS
noted In a provision permitting tho
secretaries OF war and the navy to
advance to contractors doing govern
ment work sums not to exceed thirty
per cant OF the total amount OF their
contracts. This was made necessary.
1t was pointed out, by the fact that
the governments needs are so great
and the tasks OF the contractors so
tremendous. that additional financing
was imperative.
etxa~ 10
will be the last deficiency appropria-
ton at the present session of con-
gress. The bill will be taken up as
soon as tho S175.0oo.o 900 war risk
insurance measure can be cleared.
The insurance measure is to be taken
up tomorrow and Chairman Fttxger-
aid hopes to have the appropriation
bill we'll on its way to passage early
next week.
Arms and ammunition for the
troops at the front form the biggest
items under the departmental heads.
The ordnance department of the army
is to get 81. 5000 by appropria-
ton and Is authorized by the bill to
obligate itself to the amount OF $685.
100000 more. Instance of the i'm
portance of the machine gun in mod
ern warfare Ii seen In an appropria-
tion OF $12o.277.o00 for them with
additional authorization for the war
department to obitgate itself to the
extent of .s5n.0oo.0o0 Great Britain,
which has employed the machine gun
more than any other nation. spent
10000 600 on the Lewis gun last year
and this year. Armored motor cars.
which the United States lacks, call
for an appropriation of S16,750.co0.
with an additional 100000 author
lied.
For arsenals and armoriaa the war
department asks sf7,S44.100, chief
among them being tho Rock Island
arsenal ($t .420.o0o), and the Franlc.
fort arsenal Lac oo).
Pay OF the army Il estimated at
ss70.i2s.S20. TRANSFORMATION AZ t3so,-
900. 900 and clothing, at 1850. 900. 900,
all Of Them figures unprecedented IN
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
10. j. s. PARRISH
IL. GEO. w. STEVENS
Is. f. NJ. CRUTCHFTEID
10. /. j. MARCUSE,
IL. III. w. JACKSON
IS. w. III. ADAMS
Government Nitrate Plant
--a=--v--r--~---F For Southwest Virginia
Especial to The Richmond Virginian)

Washington D. c., Sept. 6.--Announcement today
by the department that the nitrate supply committee
had selected location in Southwest Virginia contguou
to COAL water and sulphurc acid and with plenty of land
millions of dollars the exact location being withheld for
few days, is taken to that wonderful era of de-
velopment for that section is at hand.
A total of $2000000O has been appropriated for the
nitrate plant this amount to the cost of buildings
experiment stations service and other items The i'm
preston here is that this will be increased when work
the plant is started. The dire need of nraes and
other products for munitions of the manufacture
of which this country has been short emphasizes the fact
that remarkable and growing industry is TO be estab
lshed in Southwest Virginia
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07

kcaafnusd % ascsnd pAsel
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
Corporation Commission Ac-
ton May Have F af-Reaehins
Consequences
OTHER OFFICIALS
SIMILARLY FAVORED
Opinion Holds That Constitu-
ton and Statute Are Violated
by Giving Transportation for
Services

Charging the Southern Railway
company with being guilty of unjust
and unlawful discrimination in grant
ing free passes over It's lines to pub
lilo officers OF the state. namely.
sheriTs and clerks OF courts. the state
corporation commission yesterday en-
tered an order Imposing a fine OF $500
on the transportation company.
= Chairman Christopher r. Garrett
rendered an opinion in the case, In
which the other commissioners, JUICE
William r. Rhea and Commission ar
Richard II. Wingfleld concurresi.
Judge Rhea. in his concurrfng opin
ION. stated that he did not subscribe
TO all OF the views and reasons as
set forth In the opinion of the chafr-
man. but his conclusion was the
same.
The whole principle involved IN the
case la declared TO be one OF far
reaching effect and importance. Ia
II in the situation which the constitr-
ton OF the state was aimed to pre-
vent-~tf,at of the possibility of pub
lie officer being behoiden 10 any one
=. csc than the people. so that wten he
renders service In his Official capacity
10 the people. he Will be without oh
legations except those imposed by
law.
The present case Was brought
against the Southern railway at the
instance II A y Kelly, a practising
attorney OF Remington. FauGuier
~tonnty. WI declared hat the enta-
raar had granted [, w. Stanley
wooir while sheriff of Fauauier
c0untF, free pass. In answering
this charge the company ST ted thar
1t iid send 10 Mr.. wooif a pass over
f.x - -.
line. this pass having been sent in
a letter written by Robert u. Tun-
stall. division counsel Of the road, To-
Gated at Norfolk. but the free trans
rortatinn was compensation for all
fees and charges for any and all SER
Woes which the holder may he call
ed upon to perform for which the
company may be or become liable. -
The company declared that the ar
rangement had been in force for a
number OF years. and that It had dis
charged its obligations to clerks of
courts in a similar manner. These
last, however. have been discontinued
The company stated that it sent ten
such passes cut In 1918 10 sheriffs and
twelve at the beginning of the pres
emit year. all OF them for eompensa-
ton.
II was pointed out In the opinion
rendered yesterday by Chairman Gar
nett that the question OF discrimlna-
tion enters into the case when. In ac-
cepfang the passes as compensation
before service is rendered. ii In NOT
clear that any fees must accrue dur
ing Sne year: and it cannot be deter
mined In advance whether fees or
conversations that might accrue
would be greater than, equal to, or
s1Am than the value of the transporta-
4tcy. nffcrHed nv the Dax9
Since II lis against the constitutional
provisions OF the state TO grant free
rasses to public oficsrs. and tha grant
ing OF such passes is also in violation
az stat,ltes making II unlawful for a
transportation company directly or In
directly to charge, demand. collect, or
reoNdv0 from any person a greater or
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07

y lighting the nations battle
q homo. Are you doing
YOUR share by joining tho
great force for aid?
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07
Threc I,olfcnrnen Droupod.

There are three vacancies on the
police force, which will be filled by
Chief Werner In a day or two. ON
GER CoiemQr resigned; 0fficer Gary
was dismissed. and Acting Sergeant
Vest was retired yesterday. Major
Werner said last night he would have
to scan tho list at eilgtbies very care-
fully before he made his selections,
and. hA rid, ths II = ysxx short
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-09-07

give You the best service. II
you live I'm Richmond and fan
to receive your virginian,
Phone Randolph 222.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Tobacco Companies
Show Large Profits
Earnings of R. j. Reynolds
Company Increased Over
100000 Last Year

Net earnings of the r. j. Reynolds
Tobacco Company in 1915 increased 49,.
313,690, the total being s8,043,678
After dedueting preferred dividends,
the balance of s7.s6S,67s was equal to
1859 per cent on the company's sl0,-
100000 of common stock. compared
with 1854 per cent earned on the same
amount of stock in 1915.
The Liggett & Myers Tobacco Com
pany earned SPAS, 1888 less in 1916 than
il did the year before, its net profit
for last year being reported at So,4lo,-
Sl4. After deducting interest charges
and preferred dividends, the balance
available for common dividends last
year was equal to 1884 per cent, com
pared with 26.6l per cent in 1915. Dr.
rectors of the company have just an
nounced an extra dividend on the COM
mon stock o: per cent, payable April
. 10 stock of record March %. This Is
the same as the extra dividend de-
clared last year.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Every One Makes
Greater Use of
The telephone
Bell System Plans to Spend
S9O,OO0,O00 to Provide for
Additional Service

Extensions estimated 10 cost SgO,Oou'-
600 are planned for 1917 by the Bell
Telephone system. This, the largest
programme Of expansion ever attempt
ed by the system in a single year, Is
made necessary by the increasing vol
ume of telephone traffic resulting from
unprecedented business activity. FUNDS
for the proposed enlargement OF facili-
ties have been provided for by the sale
OF bonds and the issue of new STOCK
Last year, the company's annual report
shows. more than S66 100000 was added
to plant account.
At the close of 1916 the system had
9,s47,192 telephone stations in opera
ton. a gain of 695,97l. There were
added 1.344,770 miles of wire, bringing
the total wire mileage up to l9,o5o'3l9.
The daily average of connections was
90. APO, 900, or approximately at the rate
of 100 calls per year for every man.
woman and child in the United States.
Important progress was made during
the year, increasing the range OF tele-
phone speech transmission many fold
President Vail says the value OF sucn
improvements in the problem of ma
tional defence was demonstrated dur
ing a three day mobilization of com
munication forces conducted by the
staff of the company at the request OF
the Secretary of the Navy in coopera-
ton with naval officers under command
of the chief of naval operations. I'm
portant work has also been done IN CO.
operation with the officers of the Sig
nal Corps.
The annual report of operations OF
the American Telephone e. Telegraph
Company and associated companies
that is, the Bell system as whole
shows total operating revenues oil
1894, 500 900, an increase of S3O,l5l ,0Oo,
or 1873 per cent over the year before
OF these revenues depreciation and
maintenance consumed SS4,556,OOO, an
increase of S8,797,0 or 1l.6 per cent;
traffic expenses consumed s5S,74s,oOo,
an increase of IA per cent; CONNER
cial expenses s25,699,000, an increase
of 9 per cent; general and mlscellane-
GUS expenses, sl1,9O2,oOO, or ~ per
cent, and taxes s14,916,000, an increase
Of 14.7 per cent.
The American Telephone & Tele-
graph Company earned balance OIL
s3s,013,277 available for dividends,
equal to 961 per cent on s395,635,6l9
capital stock outstanding. against 9.O9
per cent earned on s3s0,477 100 in 1915.
Surplus after dividends was s6,s91 ,090,
against s5,51s,046 in 1915 and S4,762,-
1879 in 1914.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Dividends

Chicago. Burlington & Quincy Railroad
Regular quarterly dividend OF per cent
PAYABLE March 20 70 stock Of record March 70
Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis Reg
ular quarterly dividend of | per cent on the
preferred stock, payable April ,.
New York. Lackawanna Western Rail
way-Regular quarterly dividend Of IA per
cent. payable April 20 stock of record
March Is.
Liggett & Myers Tobacco.-Extra dividend
of per cent on the common stock. payable
April ,.
Lone Star Gas.-Regular quarterly diyl.
dend Of ! y per cent and an extra OF one
half Of ] per cent. payable April to stock
Of record March "a
Edmund & Regular quarterly divi-
dend Of sl.75 on the preferred and 81 on
the common stock. payable April ] to stock
Of record March 20.
Illinois Traction Regular quarterly divi-
dend Of IL per cent on its preferred stock.
PAYABLE April 10 stock of record March 10
International Traction. Regular quarterly
dividends OF Il. per cent On the I per cent
first preferred. | per cent on the per cent
preferred stock and per cent on the com
mon stock. all payable March 81 TO stock or
record March 20.
international Harvester Go. Of New Jer-
sey.-Regular quarterly dividend OF Sl.Z3 a
~e on the common stock. payable Aprh
10 to holders OF. record March p.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Monday, March ~, 1911.

Railroad shares again showed
greater activity than usual, contrib
uting about II per cent TO the total
transactions, against an average OF
approximately II per cent Tor the
wear to date. The decision favor
ing the defendant in the govern
ment's suit TO divorce the Southern
Pacific from the Central Pacific and
the announcement of the brotherhood
leaders that, regardless of the Su-
preme Courts decision on the Adam
son law. no strike would be de-
clared in the event of our entering
the war. were responsible for the
Improvement, which was seen in the
movement of prices as we'll as IN the
volume of dealings. The average OF
the twenty most active railroad
stocks was up half point compared
with Saturday, whereas the average
of the twenty most active indus
trials fell no less than " points.
The downward movement of the lat
ter was ascribed TO a lull in new
commitments, accompanied by con-
siderable profit taking. The report
that a railroad strike may be i'm
minent did not reach Wall Street
until the market had closed.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
News Digest
Foreign

New Italian Credit IN London. Lon
don. March II. order to assist
Italian exchange arrangements have
been completed TO open an Italian credit
here similar to the Russian with DIS
renewable periodically and secured by
deposit of Italian Treasury bills.
The stock market developed firm
undertone under the combined iniiu-
ence of weekend orders and good war
news. British funds improved, and for
eigners, especially Chinese. Scandina-
Wan and South American issues, were
strong. Peruvians were Il point lower
on rumors OF revolutionary outbreak.
Business broadened in rubber stocks
and industrials, but American securi-
ties were neglected.
Money was in moderate demand, ana
firmer, at Az per cent. Discount rates,
short and three month bills. AS per
cent. Gold premium at Lisbon, o0OO.
Paris Bourse.-Paris, March IL.
Trading was quiet on the Bourse to-
day. Three per cent rentes. g. francs
rs confines for cash. Exchange on
London. 81 francs S212 centimes. Five
per cent loan, SO francs centimes-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13

Does the sudden enlargement IN
the British gold shipments to us-a
record consignment of approximate
" S5O,O00,0O0 arrived over the week
end-presage the early offering OF
another loan in this market? Signs
point strongly in that direction,
Judging from past performances.
In the words of a prominent banker,
every time Britain gets out her by
podermic needle and shoots an extra
heavy charge of gold into the United
States it's time to look out for fresh
borrowings" This is a fair de-
scription of the situation. Great
Britain's bankers send gold to the
United States to pay for materials
bought here. In making the ship
ments they regulate the flow from
Canada as best suits the money mar
ket. By this method money rates
have been kept easy here, and this,
quite naturally, has assisted British
and other Allied loan operations. 1t
is believed that the impending
financing here will take the form OF
another collateral credit, with more
American securities pledged behind
Il Britain has still a goodly guam
titv Of such securities available, up
ward of $7OO,0O0,O00 on deposit on
this side alone. Whether Treasury
bills will soon be placed in this mar
ket is as yet undecided. 1t is not
doubted that ultimately sales of such
securities will be made. Bankers
differ as to the amount OF Treasury
bills which institutions could pur-
chase with safety. A banker of first
rank said yesterday in this connec-
ton that no one need fear that local
banks are going to commit financial
suicide by loading up with more OF
such bills than is good for them
They have too much at stake to do
that; moreover, none of them is de-
sirous of quitting business at this
time.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Erie Is Authorized to
Issue New Securities

The upstate Public Service Commas
sion of New York yesterday granted the
Erie Railroad Company permission to
issue more than s18.OO0,000 worth of
securities. The issuance of $4,000, 900
in ) per cent two-year collateral notes
to refund present Indebtedness was au-
tborized. as was also an issue of 49,
$4,000 Az per cent certificates, to net
at least s3.643 900, the proceeds to be
used 10 purchase s4,464,53l worth of
new eouipment. The difference be-
tween the equipment cost and the sum
raised by the notes is to be contributed
in cash from the company's treasury.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
Chinese Customs Increase

Figures just published BY the Chi
nese Maritime Customs show that the
year 1916 was very favorable for that
branch Of revenue. The total collec-
,ion for 1916 amounted 90 37750.O0
Hsikwan taels, a. against 36HIODy
tsels for 1915. an increase Of about ~
per cent. The average gold value oil
The Haikwan tacl for 1916, however,
was sO.sO73, ~ against g0C3ll for 1915,
10 that the gold value a. The collec-
Mons increased ~ about 81 per cent
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13

Revenue gains last year, says John
D. Ryan, president of the company,
were partly due to new business de-
rived from extensions of service TO
several towns not previously served
and 20 earnings from the Chicago. Mil
waukee & st. Paul Railway contracts
and sale of power to the new electricity
tic zinc reduction plant of the Ana
conda Copper Mining Company.
There was an increase of over 1900
customers during last year, there being
36,25e on the company's books on De-
cember 81.
The company's surplus after pre-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13

Steps have at last been taken
toward restoring Italian credit in
neutral states, or at least toward
placing it upon more favorable
basis. Arrangements are under way
in London, it is learned, to open a
new Italian credit there, similar to
the Russian bills recently sold in
that market, renewable periodically
and secured by deposit of Italian
Treasury bills. That something of
this sort would have to be done was
foreshadowed last week, when ltal-
ian exchange went to the lowest
level of the war period, making 7.SO
to one American dollar, whereas nor
mally the ratio is 5.18. AS a fur
Their step toward Strengthening its
exchange position, the Italian gov
eminent, simultaneously with the
opening Of the new sterling credits
in London, is about to restrict I'M
portation Of all goods excepting for
government account. In so doing it
follows the action Of Great Britain
and other Allied countries. One Of
the principal adverse influences
which the Italian lire has had to
combat in this market has been the
uncontrolled buying here of mer-
chandise for private Italian account.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13
The Dollar in Foreign Exchange

Authentic reports from London that
the Italian government was obtaining
fresh sterling credits there served TO
impart strength to Italian exchange
toward the close, and lire rose to 7.76
TO the dollar, compared with 7.S1 on
Saturday. The rest of the market
showed practically no change.
Closing rates yesterday. compared
with week ago, were as follows:
Waat
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-13

only so per cent above the pre-war
level. If wholesale prices should
continue to advance at the same rate,
or if the present level should be
maintained, retail prices are pretty
sure to rise proportionately before
long.