The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-16

tiful library to mark the progress of the next term, we have req ason to feel some pride and pomp in the offspring of our handiwork.
 Respectfully submitted,
 Alex Rice. President. GRATIFYING SHOWING
 MADE BY THE SECRETARY.
 Secretary Gilbert submitted his an- nual report as follows:
 To the Officers and Members of the
 Commercial and Industrial Aseocia-
 ton:
 Gentlemen-To have equalled the prosperous trade of the previous year would have been sufficient cause for congratulations this year. To surpass it Is most commendable. Montgom- cry, during the past twelve months, has outstripped even its own re- markable record of the year previous. The record of car load receipts at this point indicates an increase this year over last of about per cent, little enough in itself, but giving evidence that the remarkable increase of the year previous, has now become a per- manent part of the city's trade.
 New names are appearing on the ledgers of our merchants, due to the extension of our trade into wider ter ritory, particularly along the newly constructed lines of railway, the Gene va branch of the Louisville and Nash vile Railroad and the Chattahootchie and Gulf extension of the Central Rail- way of Georgia.
 The farmers. with but few exceptions, sold their cotton last year before the decline in prices, and realized the full benefit of the increased values. The present outlook Is only fair, for the cold snap of last month killed the cotton and necessitated the purchase and re- planting of cotton seed, while the fail ure of last years corn crop has creat ed an unusual demand for Western, grain at 60 cents per bushel. Both of these items will be placed as an extra expense upon the crop now mak- ing, so that unless the strictest econo- my is practiced. there will be but lit- tie profit left for the farmer, when the crop is harvested.
 Since our last annual meeting, fif- teen new firms have been added to our list of business houses. and five factories have located here. to par ticpate in the growing trade of this city.
 Buildings and Improvements.
 In keeping with Montgomery's growth from trade standpoint has also been her physical growth. Never in the his tory of the city, within a period of one year, have so many buildings of sub- stantial proportions, been in process of construction. Among some of the more important edifces either complet- ed or begun during the past year, may be mentioned. The Nicrosi building; the First National Bank building of six stories; the Farley building; the Synagogue; the five Baldwin stores; Vandiver & Co.'S addition; the Bell building; Haas warehouse. etc.. etc. which with a large number of hand some residences amounts in all to $35O, GOO.
 The immediate outlook in building circles is still more rOseate, and in- cludes the $50.OOO public library: First Baptist Church; Standard Club: Bell Telephone building; Houghton build- ing: residences of W. A. Gayle, H. Ruth, Cody, Hausman and others which with large number of smaller residences make up an approximate total of $220.000.
 The municipality has also been inn proving our streets and sidewalks and extending our sewers, putting down about 5000 square yards of pavement, 80, 900 square feet of side walk paving, 25, 900 lineal feet of curbing, two and three fourths miles of sanitary sewers, and three miles of storm and surface sewers.
 This Association itself reflects the spirit of growth and expansion evident in the city at large. As will be shown by the report of the Membership Com mittee. we now have 20 per cent. more active resident members than we had year ago.
 The first work undertaken last year was the raising of $500 for the Boys Industrial School of Alabama; then of $500 toward the fund for the purchase of a silver service for the battleship Alabama; of $100 for the expense of holding the Democratic State ConVen- ton in March; of about 5000 for the Galveston flood sufferers. and 5000 for the conduct of the Street Fair--a grand total of about $11.500.
 The Association has taken action up on the following important public ques- tions:
 To extend the work of the Hydro graphic Division of the U. s. Geologi- cal Survey in Alabama.
 Opposing the passage of the Cullom bill increasing the powers of the U. s. Railroad Commission.
 Urging the continuance of the appro- priation for the fast mail service South.
 Favoring the establishment of an Ap- National Park in the Caro- linas.
 Favoring the annexation of West Florida by Alabama.
 Favoring an Alabama Exhibit at the Buffalo and Charleston Propositions.
 Favoring the extension of the city limits of Montgomery.
 It is now using all diligence to secure the extension of the free rural mail de- livery in this county, which will great Iy benefit our agricultural classes.
 The Association has entertained the members of the Rivers and Harbors of Congress on their tour of looking to the opening of the Coosa River to Navigation: also the members of the Illinois Lumber Deal- ers' Association; assisting also in the of the Convention of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and delegations representing the Buff 'alo and Charleston Propositions.
 Probably the most delightful social occasion in the history of the organi- ration was the March reception to our White Squadron"-those of our mem- 1ership whose hair has been whitened 1y the touch of time, and who are withdrawing from active control of business affairs.
 One hundred and fifty strong the As ,ociatioG invaded the territory opened ID by the extension of the Louisville md Nashville Railroad to Geneva. On l special train. our merchants and ousiness' men went down to get &C.,