Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-09-07
l.. G. MORRIS TELLS OF
BUSINESS EXPAHSInG

Serving ones fellow-citizens In a
position SO full Of responsibility as
that OF president Of the Chamber Of
Commerce without hope of reward
other than the respect and good will
OF the membership constitutes really
true and loyal citizenship. What bet.
Ter evidence OF unsclhsh service could
be evinced by those who have In the
past guided the destinics of the chamber
than the fact that. save in one in
stance. every one has declined TO be a
candidate for any public office? II
would seem that the title lex Presi-
dent OF The Chamber Of Commerce" was
sufficiently honorable in itself to sat
isfy any reasonable ambition.
My advent as official head of this
BODY was coincident with the usherins
In OF the twentieth century; Upon as
Young Mems Business Association.
which had exerted itself mainly to-
wards the securing of conventions for
We're S made m"re effee nS by tRe
merger. and during 1900 we entertained
large number of influential gather
realize that in 1900 you could neither
purchase ticket nor check baggage
The chamber rcmedied such trouble In
very short while.
The Johnson Publishing Company was
that in 1900 our residential section. in
rico County. taken on by tho city and
subjected TO city taxes. which were to
be expended in improvements in that
territory. The city had not made the
improvements. the taxpayers were rest
less. and we took up this matter viGor-
ously with the authorities. our efforts
$4,000 for sewers. followed by the
great development which has taken
place since in the West End.
The Johnson Publishing House was
launched in 1900. This is now one OF
our leading industries, and Of immense
value 10 the entire South. The eiectri-
started in 1900. and constant additions
have been made TO it ever since.
The first train over the Seaboard Air
Line was brought into this city on June
hrated by both State and city authorI-
ties. under the auspices of the cham
Der. Many distinguished men from all
parts of the country were present. and
unstinted praise was accorded to the
energy of the protector of this great
enterprise.
The Main Street Station. erected
jointly by the Chesapeake and Ohio
and Seaboard Air Line Railways. as
also other terminal facilities, were pro-
vided TO take care of the citys in
creasinE business.
We secured a substantial appropria-
ton from Congress for the improve
ment OF James River-the largest. II
we mistake not. ever gotten before or
since.
The Hotel Jefferson. having been de-
stroycd by fire early In 1901. our efforts
to secure large conventions were
thereupon abandoned for while. We
did, however. prevail upon the Con-
stitutional Convention of Virginia to
hold its sessions in this city. notwith-
standing determined efforts by some
of our sister cities to have it meet
elsewhere.
During 1901 we instituted plans for
the enlargement of the United States
Government Building, which. was sue
cesSfully carried out by my successor.
We also started proceedings for the
enlargement of our city limits. inaug-
urated trade excursions now called
successful street fair" out OF which
grew the Virginia State Fair Associa-
ton. We also induced the railroads
to so arrange their outgoing schedules
as &c secure an early distribution OF
our newspapers.
The American Tobacco Company Is
sued orders in the latter part of 1900
this city be dismantled and removed
to the Lorillard plant at Jersey City.
revocation of this order at first APP
peared hopeless. but after extended ne
gotiations a committee was sent to
interview ]. B. Duke in New York. and
full. Only one of the committee is
now with us, namely, our energetic
and very useful fellow-citizen, Samuel
T. Morgan. What this action meant to
Richmond can be measured IN part by
the great investments in this city Of
certain large tobacco factories.
II. l.. CABELL GIVES ACCOUNT
OF CHAMBERS ACTIVITIES
To- via IL