Birmingham state herald., 1896-05-24
OPPORTUNITY, PRIVILEGE That Is the Way Secretary
 Shook Puts It, ALABAMA AT CHICAGO Should Be Represented in the 0pulence of Her Resources Address to 0per-
 atorS and Manufacturers.

As secretary and treasurer of a com mittee appointed by Hon. Hector D. Lane, president Alabama division Chi cago and Southern States exposition, to prosecute the work of getting up ex- hibits of the mineral resources and man. ufactured products of the state of Ala bama, which committee ie composed of the following gentlemen: MT. T. H. Spencer, chairman; MT. J. K. Mcdonald, MT. F. B. Nichols and MT. Oliver Chali- fouX, I am directed to make public through the columns of the two Birming- ham daily papers a brief statement of the purposes and plans of that committee and to solicit aid from any and all con- cerned in the welfare, advancement and progress of our district and state.
 Financial assistance is not so much de- sired at the present time as hearty CO., operation and willingness on the part of operators and manufacturers to lend a helping hand in the furnishing and prep aration of exhibits. A full appreciation of the many and far-reaching advantages to be gained and the realization that the exhibitor himself is the direct recipient of profit and benefit, will doubtless in- spire vigorous effort in the prosecution of this work. The fact that many people living in Birmingham and the immediate vicinity have only slight knowledge and appreciation of the vastnesS and great ness of our mineral resources, which are known to be the foundation upon which this city is builded, the cause of it's ex- iStence, the basis of assurances of it's success, growth and prosperity striking ly establishes the importance of the eXer- ton of earnest and combined effort upon the part of our citizens to reveal to the world the strength of our position and the richness of the possessions upon which are predcated our claims for greatness and ultimate supremacy and success. It hardly seems necessary to make an appeal for assistance and en- couragement in the promotion of a cause in which every man, woman and child within the confines of the state has a di- rect interest, and we trust it will be suf- hcient to simply call the attention of the operators of our mines, furnaces and factories to the subject to obtain from them liberal cooperation and support It should not be looked upon in the light of burden or hardship, but as an op- portunity and a privilege.
 l may add that the first meeting of the committee was held at the office of the Elyton Land company last Thursday afternoon, and we'll formulated plan of operations outlined. Realizing the im- portance of prompt action, they will prosecute the work with all possible dill- gence, it being desired that the exhibits be in place in Chicago early in the month of August. A circular letter requesting
  prises throughout the state as to what will be their policy respecting the matter of preparing exhibits will be sent out within few days, and let us hope that these letters will be received and an swered with a spirit of due consideration and appreciation deserving of so impor- tant an undertaking.
 Special reference should be made to the liberality of Chicago in providing all the money necessary to make possible this exposition in that city of the prod ucts and resources of the southern states, without calling upon this section to con- tribute one dollar towards defraying the expenses of the enterprise. Should we | not, therefore, avail ourselves of this most excellent opportunity, as we'll as | show our appreciation of what Chicago has done by making a liberal contribution l of exhibits. F. G. SHOOK, Secretary,