Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1922-09-09
Here is his first letter to DR.. ]. T.
Banks, Ambridge, Pa, OF the Ameri'
can Society Of Civil Engineers;

Here is his first letter to DR.. ]. +.
Banks, Ambridge, Pa, OF the Ameri.
can Society Of Civil Engineers:
Dear Mr.. Banks:-I promised T..
write you from Africa. also to supply
you with something In the way Of a
casual report, soon as possible artv.
arriving in Secondee.
"As you arc doubtless aware. W.
wore delayed over month in Liver
pool, therefore, have been here only
since July nth. Therefore, we have
circulated around but very slightly.
everyone's time, seeming to be reQuir
ed in organizing the Secondee office
and activities. However, we have a,
complishcd very great deal and have
, learned enough to convince us that
Mr.. Chappclle did not and could not
I tell half the story, and that We have
not only verified all representations
he did make, and beyond any per adj
: venture. but have become firmly con
I WINGED that it is most wonderful coun
try in its wealth and native resources
on the face of the globe-barring
none. Every phase so extraordinary
and SO far beyond our expectations
that, we arc more and more amazed
as the days go by and the scenes and
incidents passing review before our
wondering gaze.
"For instance, we closed negotia
lions only today, with one Of the lead
ing chiefs. U should say King. for
that is his official relation to his peo
pie having 80 or40 chiefs under him.
for all minerals, gold, SILVER. manga.
nese, timber; palm oil and other pro-
ducts OH 1900 square miles of terri
tory. Preliminary contracts for which
are being drafted at this hour. This
concession Of itself, is ample basis
for the entire African Union capitali
zation. Not to mention &c other chiefs
who have granted similar concessions
The African Union Company will soon
entend over half tho entire Gold
. Coast territory us to all timber min
cral and other products; since tha
chiefs who have not been in to see Mr..
Chappollc have sent word they were
coming.
"TheSe concessions. arc for 80
years and are absolutely priceless.
You can take any representation Mr..
Chappelle has made, multiply same
by two and still have Il margin left
| for conservatism.
! The climate and the people arc
: equally marvellous. We have worn our
American clothing, suits, ETC., in per
/ feet comfort by day and have slept un
der heavy wooden blankets at night,
just the identical same conditions as
at Los Angeles, California, in so far
/ rs delightful climatic conditions are
| concerned. The natives have all PEG.
pies beaten rs to physique and physi-.
! cal fitness, that any Of us have evel
seen-all are perfect and command
our unstinted praise and admiration.
After this year the African Union
| Company should make 100 per cent on
! its entire capitalization annually.
The company has already been Civ
Ell 125 mahogany logs to market with
not a dollar Of advance money requir.
ell, except freight necessary to get
them to ship side. Today other par
ties came in M dvoluntarily offered
10000 mahogany logs OH the same con
dlO!ons. THE company shipping %
markets Oh their own account, deduc,
ing all expenses from proceeds ana
splitting profits. or itself, snug lit
tie fortune. If prices are fair.
Yours very sincerely,
| (signed) J. w. CROW