Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-25
TO MOVE COMMERCE
Representatives of Business Organl-
cations Prepare For Rail
ne II,

Richmond, Va, Oct. 25.-Actlng
on the suggestion of Secretary of
Commerce Herbert Hoover, Cover
nor Westmoreland Davis yesterday
morning summoned to Richmond 2S
of the Chambers Of Commerce OF the
State for the purpose OF deylslng
ways and means for keeping the
channels of commerce open IN the
event Of the railroad workers max
ing good their threat to go on strike
next Sunday. Many of those thus
notified came to this city, and the
result was that an organization was
formed, which is to be known as
the Virginia Public Interest Com
mittee, which has charged itself
with the responsibility Of furnishing
means of transportation, other than
those provided by the railroads, II
the members of the various railroad
unions affected actually quit work.
Capt. George II. Evans, business
manager of the Alexandria, Chamber
of Commerce, and Charles W. King.
also of the Alexandria Chamber OF
Commerce, were delegates from
Alexandria.
When the delegates assembled at
the office Of the States chief eXecu-
tive, Governor Davis addressed them
briefly advising them that every
available means Of transportation, If
the strike be declared, should be
mob;lized and utilized, and offered
few suggestions as to the mannea
in which an organization might be
affacted The Governor then tolG
the delegates that he desired to with
draw from the meeting, in order
that they might give free expression
to their opinions, and, when re
uuested to remain and participate
in the discussions, replied that ne
was inclined to believe that the SER
vice which the national government
evidently expected the State organi-
cations to render, if the emergency
should occur, could best be handled
bv those occupying positions IN prl-
vate life. He pointed out that the
business men in touch with the ma
chinerv of organization, and with
the conditions likely to confront. the
State if the calamity involved IN =
strike of railroad men should Visit
it. could doubtless he handled more
quickly and cfficacious!y by men IN
intimate touch with the problems
that are bound to present themselves
if the stri Ike is declared.
After the Governor had retired
il was decided to form State organ
ization, composed of city units, the
nucleus to be made up OF COM
mittee selected from the delegates
present. The delegates were instruct
ed to call, immediately osz their re-
tnrn TO thir home cities, meetings
of the organizations which thcT
represented in order that the work
of organization Of transportation "a
cilitics might he gotten under way
~ once Il was the consensus that
all individuals and organizations not
renresentcd at the conference should
bo asked to lend their patriotic CO.
operation. . co,,,
mittee organized by cnooslne - ~,
A. Hobsou, Of the Manu1acturel:
Association, of Richmond, as presl-
dent. and ". T. Dabney,, business .ss'
manager of the Richmond ChamDer
of Commerce, as secretary. Inc
General committee will be composed
of representatives. of every Chamoef
of Commerce and business organ.
yation in the cities and towns OF
Virginia. As means OF nnanclhs
the Virginia Public Interest commit.
tee, the following resolution was
"That each organization in the
State contribute immediately 20
and that each member OF the gene
raj committee request OF ms organ organ
;zation pro rata sum not to exceed
60 600 based on membership.