The age-herald., 1897-10-07
TECHNICS FROM
 CURRENT TOPICS,

The visit of tho armor plate commit tee which has been arranged for the 18th instant will, In all probability, mark an epoch in the history of Birmingham The members elf that committee will as Joshua of old, come to the land Of promise to see if the wonderful stories told are true. They will verify the re- ports which have gone abroad of the marvellous natural resources of this sac- tion or they will return whence they cama and tell that all the charms of the Alabamians have been but the halluei- nations of badly balanced brains. Per chance these men will carwy back with them the fruit of the soil to prove what has been arrogated by politicians and business men, or maybe they will re- turn empty-handed and disappointed. It remains with the citizens of Birmingham what the outcome shall be.
 At no time in her eyentful history has contemplated in the visit of the ar1nor plate committee. She stands now at the parting of the ways" which separates her earlier from her future achieve ments, She cannot afford to stand still or to renlasn content with past that is honorable and encouraging. Birming- ham must go forward with rapid strides, grasphng every opportunity that
 
 She holds her own fate in her hands and upon the city, individually and collect iyely, depends largely the verdict of the committee which comes on the 18th with the sanction of the government.
 
 No one can deny the advantages Btr- minghann is prepared to present TO the committee or to the world at large. But much depends upon the way these al1- yantages are presented The Rirm,ng- lh'am committees appointed to conflr with the aTmor plate committee are composed or men whose patriotism, intelligence, enthusiasm and sterling worth argue the best possible results from the conference to ensue. Birminghams interests are safe in their hands, and in arranging the details for the reception of the chty's visitors they are actuated by the highest and most unse1fish motives. Psuanaps the mosr encouraging symptom in the ar- engagement of the programme of en, er- tainment is the intimation that there will be no public banquet, consequently mo after-dlnner speeches of self-congratu,a- ton, which is the usual habit of commit tees with schemes to advance. This is tl, na1 4an1 the committees frcm the various city clubs and organizations are con- posed of practical men, who are to dis cuss and investigate prac.ical matters. This is purely a business affair; Birming- ham says she can do certain things. cheaper and better than amy other city. and the government will send experts down here to see if what has been said is true. If it Rs proven to be am 1,ncon- trovertible fact, Birmingham stands a wonderfully good chance of securing tha coveted prize-the armor platte fac bory-wlthout amy banquet and after dinner speeches. If it cannot be sub Stantiated that Birmingham's claims are correct, no amount of food or eloquence will alter the verdict of tthe expert busi- ness men sent here tIo investigate.
 Birmingham has wasted many good dollar in banqueting notable visitors. who came, eat, talked and wsnt away, never to return, leaving many of the citizens poorer in funds, but richer in wholesome experience. For ten years or more, the outsiders who came os- tensibly to prospect in this favored re- glon, have been treated with a fulsome hospitality, much to the credit of Bur- mingham's heart, but sadly to the detri- ment of her pocket. Thsse pleasure trips of entea'prising visitors have rarely resulted in enriching Birmingham one dollar, notwithstanding the fact that "our exhaustless store of iron ore, coal and lime rock, in close proximity" was discussed in every phase, in every key. between every course of the dinners and with every beverage. Birmingham has had to work out her own salvation in the past regardless of banquets, and now that sha stands on the threshold Of a new epoch, she has the unfruitful expe- riments of the past to assist her in right ly presenting her unequalled claims to the peopqa of these United States. Bir- mingham leads the world in certain ad- Yantages and the time has arrived when she can exhibit these advantages in a practical, undeniable way, to an aggnle- gation of practical business men, It rssts largely with the citizens what the verdict Of the armor plate committee will be.
 BALL.