Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-12-23
THURSDAY. DECEMBER 30. 1920,
a Prosperous and Happy Richmond


D 1CHMOND is on the eve OF Il prosperous
IN and happy Christmas. Prosperity and
happiness are not necessarily dependent one
upon the other but when a city is blessed
with both it is doubly fortunate. That it
is prosperous is read in the figures which
tell OF dividends declared or TO be declared
little later by its banks, its trust COM
panies, its corporations and big business
establishments. Conservative estimates
place these dividend figures at 100000
and IL is probable they will be considerably
in excess OF that amount. In addition to
these dividend earnings many hundreds Of
employees are the better prepared for the
coming of Santa Claus to say nothing OF
meeting the Worries incident to living costs,
by the generous bonuses that have been
paid TO them by employers. bonuses made
possible by the successful business year
through which Richmond has passed.
All of these material evidences Of pros
pcrity are gratifying To Richmond. 1t is
sufficient proof that thus far il has come
in the reconstruction period free from those
financial and industrial difficulties which
nave plagued and still are plaguing many
less fortunate cities. War profits and swol-
len earnings are thing OF the past-al-
though comparatively Richmond enriched
mond business never for a moment has been
shaken from the solid rock of confidence
and conservatism on which it has been
buildcd. In the fact that ii has so mag
nifcentiy withstood TIE strain and stress
OF the last twelve months, and emerged
able and glad to hand out millions in diyi-
dcnds Is an earnest of wha, may be cx-
pected III The next twelve months To the
beginning OF the new year Richmond can
lcok with calm confidence tina, il will b,,
a wonderful period in which 10 live and
work. II will business back 10 normal
and expanding naturally. it will see it's great
cohtributory territory prosperous. and il
VIII see within its own borders the resur-
rection OF the building Industry on a scale
that vii! largely Offset its last few years
Of comparative ideness No distinctions
are ahead Richmond is sound TO the core
i; has no serious problem OF capital and
labor, Its people are content and progrrs-
siVc. and the path is clear for new records
IN business and industrial emprisc
For the moment, Richmond's happiness
Is centered in the immediate Christmas sea-
son now upon it. It's merchants have had
satisfactory sales, and dividends and
bonuses will swell their receipts during
the two days that remain In ali this
prosperity. then. il is little wonder that
Richmond happiness is found in giving.
not alone 10 those who do not need but
to those whom adversely has brought 20
want, fortunately their numbers few. But
now, as always, the cry Of distress is not
UNDECIDED. Richmonds poor as proved b.
the generous response TO the Ten Oppnr-
tunitics.' will be cared for, there VIII ho
no empty stockings, no hunger unsatisned
and there will be a goOdly portion Iaf,
over for the suffering ones in other lands
Not always has it been So but within
inc memory OF the present generation
Richmond at the Christmas season has beer
synonymous with happiness II is. indeed
good, a happy place to the fortunate ono,
who can gather around its hcarthstoue al
this holiday time and say Here is home