The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-02-15

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sity. have to decrease same
Trade Extension Bureau.
This department, now under the
leadership OF Mr.. e. b. Sydnor has
been active In strengthening the trade
relations with the retail merchants
throughout that section naturally trad
I ing in the Richmond market. Ar
rangements are being perfected TO or
ganize a Southern retail merchants
conference, which will meet In Rich
mond once a year The matter was
thoroughly discussed by the trade ex-
tension bureau during Better Ac-
quaintance Week last summer, at
which time speakers or prominence
and authorities on trade and merchan-
addresses before the merchants as
: sembled here. The officers OF the
trade extension bureau are thorough
/ ly convinced that the meeting of the
Southern retail merchants conference
/ in Richmond each year will not only
bring our merchants in close touch
with their customers, but will be a
distinct benefit both TO our Richmond
merchants and those trading with
them.
i Agriculture and Immigration.
! This committee. realizing the neCes-
stiles of increased production and the
! direct benefit to Richmond of i'm
,
ritory around Richmond, In conjunc-
ton with the county of Henrico. the
United States government and the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Poto-
mac Railroad company, established
with the full consent and approval OF
our board OF directors, on June le.
1917. the agricultural department of
the chamber OF commerce. An eN-
pert agricultural agent was employed
to advise and cooperate with farmers
to give demonstrations OF scientific
application OF fertilizers to the various
soil types and the crops most suitable,
to give expert advice as to what the
various soils need and how to apply
same, to determine proper crop ro-
! tat!on for obtaining best results, to
secure tested seed and the best and
most suitable strain Of livestock and
poultry. The report Of the committee
shows that an alfalfa campaign to
increase the acreage Of alfalfa was
inaugurated by the dafrymen's asso-
citation. A survey Of various dairy
FARMS brought out the fact that our
/ dairymen were buying too much feed
and seventeen-of them put in crop
of alfalfa in August or September
The committee further reports that
through the efforts Of this department
the wheat yield in Heurico county
was increased, 1000 bushels of seed
corn was selected under the super
VISION Of the farm demonstration for
next wears seed, the HenrIco National
Farm Loan association was organized
with forty-three charter members and
that the agent. as federal sales agent,
was applying for nitrate of soda for
this years crops. Realizing that the
interest of the young p ople needed
to be aroused, the agricultural agent
has organized various clubs among the
boys and girls of the county TO stimu-
late increased production not only of
corn and vegetables, but poultry and
livestock, and prizes are being offered
these various clubs as a further stimu-
lus This department Will endeavor
this year 70 further increase the pro-
duction OF livestock and farm prod
ucts, and urges every family TO pro-
vide a home garden. Mr.. w L. Kir-
by is the manager OF this department,
and will be glad to confer with any
, one interested at his Office IN the
Chamber of Commerce
|, Traffic Burcau.
While always mindful of the rights
, of the carriers as well lis those OF
the shippers, the traffic bureau. with
the approval of your inland trade
committee, thoroughly realizes that
the paramount question today is ser
- vice. Therefore, not once during the
9 past year has the bureau or the tn
land trade committee opposed rea-
V sonable increase Of rates. provided
y such increase did not unduly discrimi-
{ mate gainst Richmond AS fllustrat-
g ing the effective, yet liberal. method
= of this agency of the chamber ] cal
g special attention to it's treatment OF
Y the rate on coal In connection with
l. which n discrimination, which woult
have resulted in great disadvantage
= was averted, and also 10 its treatment
: of rates on green coffee, so important
T 10 the roasting industry Of Richmond
!, which rates were amicably adjusted,
= AS these are only two of the various
q activities of the traffic bureau and are
q chosen az illustrations. 7 ask mem hers
= carefully to read the whole report
o when published.
C 1t is recommended that the com
: mites on inland trade. outward trade
postal and telegraph service, and ex.
press service he consolidated and p
e new committee called the traff1c com
O mittee, he substituted A resolution II
e this effect will be introduced at to.
= nights meeting.
e Good Roads
S Nothing will add more 10 the ma,
- Iterinl prosperity OF our city and Il
q the comfort of our citizens than I'm
proved highways leading into the cit,
g of Richmond The board OF directors
e. OF the chamber, realizing this, ant
e further realizing the benefits to Rich
4 mond OF good road to Petersburg
" urged the city council 10 appropriat,
10000 to be spent on the Petersburg
turnpike in cooperation with tn,
- county OF Chesterfield and some o.
- our citizens who have contributed
=. funds for improving this highway
v The board of directors further ap
= proved an ordinance introduced by Mr.
v Peters. putting a specific tax on al
= automobiles owned in Richmond, tht
z proceeds of this tax to be spent OF
+ improving the approaches 70 Rich
n mond within the ten mile limit
b respectfully recommend that th'
= chamber Of commerce, through =
!. proper committee, get in communica
= ton with the patron OF this ordinance
r and use their efforts to secure it's pas
. sage. 1t should not be opposed b!
n owners OF automobiles, for the sayini
- in wear and tear on cars. II we havt
:, improved roads, will many times owe
8 pay the amount of this special ltcens
d tax. During the past year the path
Witt nf hn IN pN1y p M,