The age-herald., 1898-05-18
MASTER SPIRITS
 OF A GREAT CITY OYeF the Festive Board They RejOiCed
 Oyer BirminSham'S Growth AND FLATIERING OUTLOOK Annual Meeting and Installation of Off, CerS by the Commercial Club. 3. STEINER THE NEW PRESIDENT In Happy Speech He Sounded Key Note for a Greater Birmingham Secretary Beles
 Rendered an Exhaustive and
 Valuable Report

The master spirits Of great city drank long draughts to the fruits of their labor over the festal board last night It was the annual meeting and installation of off, cers by the Commercial club. Birmingham, the Magic City, of the south, was toasted by her creators and the men who have labored for her success and who hold greater things in store for the future, gathered together in good fellow ship and spent pleasant evening. The meeting was called to order by the retiring President, w. J. Milner, who gave brief resume of the work of the club during the past year. He referred to the sentiment of the people against corpora- tions and admonished the club to work to allay this sentiment, for the reason that corporate capital is necessary to the devel- opment and up-buildng of community. | Secretary w. J. Boles then read his an- nual report, which was a carefully pre- pared statement of the present condition of the club, and of the work it has accom- plished during the past twelve months, to- gether with a brief review of the indus- trial progress of the Birmingham district during the same period. He referred to the adverse conditions which had confronted the club. notwithstanding which, the year had been a prosperous one and much good had been done for Birmingham. The report noted a healthy increase in the membership of the club, which now num- bers approximately 260 The work of Major John w Johnson as 1, agent of the club was briefly referred to. The New Industries Reference was made to the new indus tries that had been secured during the past year; improvements that had been made in old plants; new developments in the min eral and railroad industry; increase in number Of wage earners and of pay rolls building permits issued; increase in bank clearings; product of pig iron, coal coke and other minerals.
 The favorable showing of the Alabama Car Service association.
 Special reference was made to the report of the health officer which wa smade upon basis of a population of 35 ,000 for Birming- ham, which figures had not been changed during the past five years, and which did Birmingham an injustice. In this connec- tion the secretary suggested that census of the city should be taken at least once in every three or four years.
 Mention was made of the visit of the armor plate board to the city for the pur- pose of looking into the resources and ad- vantages of tkis district as a location for an armor plate factory The visit of Col onel A K Mcclure. editor of the Philadel- phia Times, was also noted.
 To Renewed Activity
 The report closed with the following hopeful view of the situation:
 Every indication points to renewed ac- tivity in the business and manufacturing
 
 ent trouble with Spain is settled.
 On motion the report was received.
 The result of the annual election held on the 9th inst. was read by the secretary, and the newly elected president, B. Steiner. was introduced by the retiring president In assuming the chair MT. Steiner made an interesting talk, touching upon the work of the club, and urging the united and hearty support of all professional and busi- ness classes, as well as all citizens.
 n1xr Tod D,A< TDt extending the corporate limits, and urged strong effort towards constitutional convention. He asked the cooperation of each individual member in the work, and said that no person who was not a mem- Der of the club or contributor towards it's support had the right to cr.tlcise it's work. MT. Steiner concluded his remarks by pre- dieting greater and grander developments in the Birmingham district and the ad- vancement of it's prosperity during the next year.
 Enthusiasm Prevailed
 The remarks of the new president were received with enthusiasm.
 As toast master MT. Steiner presided in his usual happy manner, under the genial influence of the surroundings, his wit, as well as his ardor, was whetted.
 E. W. Barrett, of The Age-Herald. and Rufus N. Rhodes, of the Evening News, responded to ''The Press"
 President Robert Jemison, of the Bir- mingham Railway and Electric company, was called upon to tell how to reach the suburbs without crossing the tracks of other companies, and how best to avoid in- functions, to which he gracefully respond- ed, predicting the harmonious settlement of all differences that now existed. and mem tioning the prominent part that the street railroad played in the development of a city.
 The "Retail Trade"
 AF " nf Loeb responded to the Retail Trade and paid high tribute to the alertness and progressive spirit of the retail merchants of the city.
 President Sol Haas, of the Sloss Iron and. Steel company was called upon for a little s.Iron Tonic," but said that he preferred to let iron talk for itself
 Prof. Wheeler of the Birmingham Busi- ness college responded to Business Edu- cation" and briefly referred to the advan- tages and facilities offered by Birming- ham to the young men and women to se- cure a pratical business education.
 John w. Tomlinson was called upon to tell what the next legislature would do, and stated that he was neither prophet nor the son of prophet and could there fore not forecast the action of that august body, but that he would willingly contrib ute any influence that he might have to- wards securing such enactments that would benefit Birmingham. As to the sen timent against corporations MT. Tomlin- son said that he had no objections to cor porations as such.
 ssThe Pride of Birmingham; Her Public Schools was earnestly responded to by Dr. J. H. Phillips, who appealed to the club to co-oerate towards securing such legislative enactments as would relieve the present deplorable financial condition of the schools and widen their scope. He referred to dependenc of progrss in com mrcal and industrial development to the proper education of the youth, and stated that the excellent school system of the