Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-05-07
|ND0RSES PLAN TO
AID HOME SEEKERS
Proposal of Richmond Corpora
ton Received Favorably by
All Present.
DENoUNcE COMPENSATION
Speaker Declares Service Men
Want No Reward Of
Money.

Unanimous opposition to the p-o-
posed bonus Legislation for ex-ser-
vice men and approval OF the
proposition OF the Richmond Housing
Corporation To lend money for the
acquisition OF homes. were the out
standing features OF the first quar-
tcrly meeting Of the Richmond Cham
Der OF Commc.e>. held last night In
the auditorium Of the Jefferson
Hotel.
Passage ot tire bonus bin and the
cccmpinying tax measure to carry
IL Into effect would boost The high
cost Of living 40 per cent. and would
me3n the failure oc many Richmond
business houses, In the opinion OF
W. T. Reed. who just been To Wash
.nston to discuss the matter with
members OF Congress
Mnny Soldiers Oppose nunus.
Mr.. Reed WAS told at the national
capital that about 40 per cent OF the
ex-service men OF the country are
actively opposing the proposed legis-
lation. and that there is very little
chance o: Its enactment at this ses-
zion. Many people believe. he said
ihat Il not only liz n football OF poll
ties. but, II passed now, Il would be
h's wv OF butn GThIni on
the Treasury AMI on the taxpayers
of the United States
81 speak only" SIR. Reed explained.
20: the consequence OF the proposed
bonus LEG isiat!on TO Sislncss and In
dus,ry. /, Is ms belief that /, would
throw n monkey-wrench into the
operntions on farms and In manu-
featuring plants. 1t would bc n dis
organizer and n money dralnnr that
would spell bankruptcy to many
houses In tails city"
CutchIns Against nh.
Colonel John y. Cutchlng. com
mander OF Richmond Post No !, the
american Legion. was strong in per-
sonal opposition TO n bonus. but de-
clared go per cent % the men and
GO or 40 per cent of the cx officers
of Americas citizen army favor such
legislation, not 80 much FOR their
own hnanc!a! bcnent or compcnsa-
ton as an expression OF protest
against the extravasan, manner in
which affairs were conducted by tho
government during the period of the
war.
THE spirit OF the men who made
up our army Is too fine thing"
Colonel Cutchins said, ito bc tainted
with money. Their services in the
time or emergency and the sacrifices
they made then cannot be paid for
The unrest shown by them now Is
the greatest single potential asset
the country has. 1t Is protest
against wartime cxtravagances and
ineflicicncy OF all sorts. 1t Is psy
Geological. We haven't gone at tho
solution with the proper degree
sympathy. What we want to do ia
TO reach out, grasp the hands of thes
men and try to transfuse into on,
national life the fine idealism they
have shown in time of war"
Opposition IL Unanimous
The chamber unanimously adopted
resolution offered by Coleman
Wortham, placing the body on record
against the bonus proposition and
directing the President. John Kerr
Branch, to name Il committee. whose
duty 1t viii be to present the pro
test or Richmond's business men to
Nirginias delegation in Congress.
Acting upon a resolution, read by
TazewcA NJ. Darlington, the cham
ber heartily approved the plan
evolved by the Richmond Housing
Corporation. to lend money at rea-
sonablc rate of interest to people
who desire to become home own,rs
This corporation will not attempt. it
was explained by John NJ. Miller one
OF the leaders In the enterprise. to
build houses. but will give financial
assistance. upon cooperative basis
10 home builders. y permanent resi-
dent, nc declared. Is an iinmcasur-
apiy greater asset to Richmond than
q transient worker
Rcnd james River Report.
Ot the multitude of reports sub
mitted by standing committees. that
on the Improvement of James River
read by George Bryan. was OF
especial interest. since it brought
again sharply to the attention OF
richmond business men the dangers
10 industry consequent TO a ccssa-
tion OF shipping on the river with
me going out of business OF the Old
dominion Steamship Company.
IN part. 1t reads:
o3 our committee feels that the me-
Riwnry fReiss,ry t.. Tor Improvement of James
lore, lore, due to Inadequate rail- trans
pertntion, the bad physical condition
of off }ha }ha'iiroaas. i,e, and especially because
OF all rail- rates.
M, buhiness Interest Flags.
me business interests OF Rich
mond non, generally have failed to man
,iest @ the interest In our river i'm
provemcnt that the situation de-
mands; II Richmond is TO continue
10 10 enjoy tho freight rates Justified
ny waterway competition, every cit
zen must awaken to the importance
OF this project. Tho situation isIof
Stal Importance to. not only every
shipper, hut to every citizen, and the |
sle0ation right now is critical |
Continued on Second paFe.3