Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-06-27
All for Richmond

IN his address before the Chamber of Com
l merce, Homer l.. Ferguson told Richmond
nothing about itself that II did not already
know, but occasionally 1t is refreshing and
helpful to have our good and our bad points
reviewed by one whose perspective is
clouded by long local residence, and whose
KEEN analytical mind can draw the lessons
which those to whom local conditions are
part of their everyday life are likely to over
look. Richmond knew all that this famous
shipbuilder and master Of industry could tell
OF its varied industries, its excellent transport
tation facilities on rail and water. its labor
advantages, its climatic superiority, and, un-
happily. it's almost utter inaccessibilty over
the highways. All these things it knew, but
perhaps no one had realized how inseparably
they are bound up with the city's future, until
he drew the vivid picture of what Is as it is
related to what may be. The result, it is
hoped and believed. will be a general stimu-
lation toward building bigger and better
than ever before.
If Richmond is TO take advantage of its
opportunities and become the city Of 100000
of which it dreams. then it is demanded tina.
it do something beside sitting down COM
fortably and prating of its advantages Of one
kind and another. 1t must show that it
knows how to use those advantages. Action
is what is needed, and in these past few
weeks there have been developments along
various lines leading to the encouraging
conviction that Richmond is about to bestir
itself and do those things necessary to put
it squarely up to the front in the industrial
and commercial race. Among other things,
1t is taking it's first practical step toward the
solution Of its housing problem, and with that
solved the labor question for present and flu
ture industries will take care of itself 1t
also is showing fresh realization that It's
streets are as bad, IL not worse, than those
Of any other city Of it's size in the United
States, and until this condition is remedied It
cannot hope to have its invitation to new
residents and new enterprises accepted. With
its main city streets a series of holes, and it's
suburban ways all but impossible, it holds
out sorry prospect for those who otherwise
might be attracted to make their homes and
bring their business here. The loss thereby
to the city is far greater than what decent
streets would cost. The proposed bond issue
will solve the street problem temporarily,
and q change In the Constitution permitting
the assessment OF street improvement costs
against property owners will bring permanent
relief.
TO the improvement Of James River Rich
mond's famous and tortuous artery to the
sea, the citys civic associations should ad-
dress themselves. This city potentially is
great seaport, but it never will reach its pos
sibilities until Congress is brought to see the
importance of the James and makes adequate
appropriation for its proper development
That work has Jagged throughout the years,
and now, at the very inception OF the recon
struction period, is the time for an agrees
sive campaign which unquestionably will have
the earnest support of Virginias Senators
and Representatives.
Now, as never before, Richmond's eyes are
turned to the future. 1t has not forgotten,
but 1t no longer is living in the past and on
the comprehensive scope with which its city
building plans are laid and the patriotic en-
deavor with which they are carried out, it
depends whether it will trail along in the
rear while others pluck the ripe fruits Of
reconstruction, or whether it will take it's
rightful place, holding its head high among
the great cities of the Atlantic seaboard
Let "All for Richmond" be the slogan from
this time forth.