The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-13

- 80. - .
fsSi,.e con- nals.ee III f.scrirls tilo cham.
bey in.orB1ed as % proposed lavisls
interests o, TIE stats. In this connec-
ton in5uriously affecting tho business
ton, ! call attention to that part OF
the organic law requiring re-district-
ing the state as to give equal rsprasen-
tation In the legislature. which seems
to have been purpose!y ignored. Rich
mond has no greater representation
today than when her population was
remedy by rnandan1us that should be
invoked II relief can be secured in no
|othAr way.
Housing.
The lack Of houses has reached an
acute stage Just how best 70 meet
the situation y problem, parucu-
larly - this true with reference to our
oolored population The present cost
lot buildings 10 90 tar above normal
that investors are tirnid, and yet,
remedy must b found
TOLL BRIDGES
That we have three bridges on
which tolls are collected Is a poor adj
yertiscment for Richmond These
bridges should be acquired b. the city
under some fair and equitable ar
Irangement and. thrown open to the
public.
WATER SUPPLY
So far as am informed, we have
not met the recomme ndations of the
underwriters in providing ample
have thus far escaped . great confla-
F, grafton is due more to good luck
than TO good guidance !"
THE PRESS
II Is with pleasure that 7 acanoel-
e3ge the willing and hearty co-opera-
ton or the press In ali that tends TO
build up and advance the interests
of Richmond and | want to thank the
employees OF the chamber for their
pr ompt and efficient services and the
| members generally for their active
cooperation during my entire term Of
Office.
OTHER NEEDS
shall only mention some 0. me
things advocated by The chamber as
| being OF more than ordinary irlpor-
lance as they bear directly upon the
growth and development OF Rich
nlond
OF these perhaps the rlosc pressing
is ar adequate street car service. II
seems strange that there should BE-
found people willing to oppose a fare
| that has been abundanuy proven
necessary by the experience Of hum
dreds of other cities in the United
States, in order 70 enable the COM
pany to give the service that the pub
lie is entitled TO. These same people
have been loud in their demands fer
/ IA a a GAG ss-
wages, to meet the increased cost OF
everything. yet they are wiling 80
occupy the eQuivoca. position Of re-
curing the street car COMPANY To give
service at practically the same prices
that were fixed twenty years ago
Their position cannot be justified IN
reason. No city can either prosper
or grow its best without ample tacfh-
ties for transportation and the en-
ersies OF the chamber and ali others
/. interested in the growth aud develop
raent OF our city should be united and
persistent in remedying this great and
growing evil
The Strengthening and covering OF
Shockoe Creek; the opening of
! Fifteenth street to the Locomotive
| Works; the completion of the River
| Side Drive and street Improvements
generally are all needs that ought TO
be provided for. Let US hope that
some wise and practical way will be
! found 70 make the many improve
unents that are so necessarv. We all
! realize that these things cannot be
| done without money, and we cannot
Ia fairness hold OH cits. -o1ciais re-
siponsble for what we lack Money
must be provided, and the necessary
sacrifices muse be made TO that end
But what Richmond and the whole
country needs most OF all is co-opera.
ton among the conservat tive. people
! who respect the rights Of others and
value free representauv govern
| n,ent- The vast majority OF the pes
pie n this country have been TOO in
| different to the encroachnlents Of
class legislation
Special interests have been 50 IN
sistent IN their demands that a small
minority have been able through or
ganized effort TO warp and bias legis-
laIon until our very civtilzation is
threatened. Nothing but g leteruiu-
ed and united opposition can stop
them. Each concession instead Of
satisfying, forms the basis - more
extraragent demands. until row theY
boldly threaten the government II.
/, self. All business all liberty and Sc
curity OF life depend upon laws that
| are Just and general in their appli-
1 cation and no laws are Just that favor
one class OF people to the detrinaent
| OF others The remedy is in your
own hands, will yoa use it,