Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-15
WORKMAN REVIEWS
CHAMBERS RECORD
Presents Report at Annual Meeting Showing Rchmonds
Substantial Growth in Manufacturing Jobbing and
Banking Operates With Government in War

our close proximity to South America,
Water to Richmond viii liz be- e further III af Rep
allied by our city. In times gone by
our Rlchmond -four mills had an enor-
w noas 'r carrv Wrh south America, the
coffee. thereby making Richmond no
small coffee market. What Richmond
d1d years wa age bav she can believe do
ests here with daily output Of Hour
now larger than Richmond had when,
years ago. 1t was recognized as flour
center.
business Enterprises Committee.
This committee has bean actively
assisting those seeking particulars re-
Garaing RIchmond's advantages for
the successful operation Of new enter
prises. During the past year compare
lively Few industries have been
launched throughout the country other
imam those producing government sup
pies, but Notwithstanding prevailing
conditions, several new enterprises and
large industries have located In Rich
mond. II Is gratifying to report that
many OF our manufacturers. jobbers
and retailers nave extensively enlarged
their plants and warehouses, and some
or them have erected new buildings to
care for the Increased volume of bust
ness and future growth. thereby indi-
eating their confidence in a further in
crease Of their respective industries
At this writing the government con-
templates establishing. within four
miles OF Richmond, large concentra-
tich CAMP " ulCn VIII lnCluOC an III
dustrial training school Should the
efforts of those having the matter in
charge be successful, the resultant
benefit to Richmond will, l beiieve, be
in it's history.
am not prepared to give out just
nov detailed information in reference
site has been offered to the govern
rient. and IL the proposed plans are
cohsummated. the amount spent by the
government in improvements. together
cantonment of $4,000 men. will be Of
inestimable value not only TO the city,
but to every individual here. AT the
proper time. our citizens will have an
opportunity OF cooperating in this
mater, and the committee having the
matter In charge are d the opinion
mat no trouble will be experienced in
such source of material advantage
to Richmond.
Committee on Manufactures.
owing to the demand for labor, be-
cause OF war activities. and the de-
crease in the available supply of labor,
due TO the entrance of our country
experienced in securing the necessary
labor. II Is estimated that over $4,000
negroes have left Virginia, being in
wages and better living conditions in
the manufacturing cities of the North
and East In which are located NUM-
pants anu hlnOTeu enterprises.
This movement grew to such an alarm
ing extent that committee of our
colored citizens came before the Cham
help them in their efforts 10 discouraEe
THIS exodus Of negro labor. a special
committee. of which AIR. Augustine
royal was, chairman. was appointed.
and a fund was contributed BY the
chamber. to which was added voluntary
contributions from some OF our manu-
facturers. and placed in tho hands OF
a rft-tp Tp>n
ISOLATION. TO be spent by them in their
efforts to bring home those negroes
VINO had been cnticed away. | am glad
TO say that am advised by our manu-
iacturers that this colored association
has done good work, and lacor condi-
lions are somewhat improved, but the
bucket. and If anything is to be done
TO permanently help, II must be done
not only with the cooperation OF the
entire Southern States, but also with
the help OF the n.,ional governm ent.
y committee from. the chamber has
taken en-, the matter up with the Governor
sympathy with the movement, and he
has asked the Commissioner of Agri-
culture to take up the matter with the
agricultural departments of the various
Southern States, TO the end that re-
port on labor conditions in the South
be laid before the United States gov
s sr nei'tx Unless something is done
which furnishes nearly half OF the food
product of the country. will be so ham
dicapped that instead Of increasing our
1000 production, as the government
urges, We VIII, OF necessity, have to
decrease same.
Trade Extension Bureau.
This department, now under the
leadership of L. IS. Sydnor, has been
active in strengthening the trade re-
lations with the retail merchants
throughout that section naturally trad
Ing in the Richmond market. Arrange
rncnts are being perfected 10 organize
a southern retail merchants confer
once year. the matter was thor
oughly discussed by the trade extension
bureau during Better Acquaintance
Week last summer. at which time
ties on trade and merchandising came
TO Richmond and made addresses be-
fore the merchants assembled here.
The officers OF the trade extension bu-
,sa are are thoroughly convinced that
merchants conference in Richmond
each year will not only bring our
merchants in close touch with their
customers, but will be a distinct bene-
tit both 10 our Richmond merchants
and those trading with them.
Committee on Agriculture and Immi-
grafton.
This committee, realizing the neces-
stiles of increased production and the
farming conditions in the territory
around Richmond. in conjunction with
the County of Henrico, the United
states government and the Richmond.
fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad
COMPANY, established. with the full
consent and approval of our board of
directors. on June 16, 1917, the agri-
cultural department. of the Chamber of
Commerce. An expert agricultural
agent was employed % advise and CO.