The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-17
LOUISVILLE MEN
 WARMLY RECEIVED
Party of Merchants Entertained
 by Commercial Club
SEVERAL HAPPY SPEECHES
Mayor Drennen Says Birmingham Is Too Busy to Ask Removal of the L. G N. Offices to This City
 for Some Time to Come.

| One hundred members of the Louis vile board of trade arrived in Birming- ham last night and were entertained by the Commercial club of this city.
 The Louisville delegation was met at the Union passenger station by the members of the Birmingham organiza- tion, and, headed by the Louisville Mill itary band, which accompanied the wis., itors, marched three deep to the rooms of the Commercial club over the First National bank.
 The visitors constitute the cream of Louisville's commercial men. who are out on a tour with the specific inten- tion of bringing about a closer alliance between themselves and their contempo- raries in the most important cities Tn which their mutual interests lie.
 A special Louisville and Nashville train made up of four sleepers, one baggage and one dining car is being utilized by the party on their itinerary.
 Smoker at Commercial Club.
 The entertainment at the Commercial club was in the nature of a smoker In the absence of President Jackson, Culpep- per Exum occupied the chair and on the assembly being seated MT. Exum apolo- gized for the absence of their president and in a few well chosen words welcomed the visitors to the city.
 we have heard,' he said, much of Kentucky and Kentuckians and it gives us much pleasure to see some of the representative men of the blue grass country, to mingle with them and to ex- tend to them the hand of fellowship and welcome. We appreciate your presence, gentlemen, and trust that this visit will be the means of eementing us in closer relationship
 Mayor Drennen Speaks.
 MT. Exum then introduced Mayor Dren- nen as the youngest and most handsome mayor in the south.
 The mayor in his address of welcome expressed joy in meeting fellow mer- chants. Tn speaking of the advantages of Birmingham he said that this city was probably the only place they would visit on their trip where the great majority of its people lived outside of the corporate limits. He said that at the next meeting of the legislature an extension of the lim- It's would be asked for. MT. Drenhen evoked much amusement by saying that if that extension was not soon secured Montgomery, Nashville, Atlanta and Memphis would perhaps close in, leaving no need of a greater Birmingham.
 Greatness of the District.
 The mayor then explained in some de- tail to the visitors the greatness of this district referring among other things to the fact that 75,000 men were employed whose payrolls every month amounted to $3, 300, 0O0 He also mentioned the fact that in an incredible, short time the popu- lation had increased from 5000 to 1S0,325.
 Mir Drennen also evoked much laughter when he informed his visitors that Bir- mingham was so busy that it would prob ably be four or five years before she would ask for the offices of the Louisville and Nashville railroad to be moved from Louisville to this city.
 In conclusion he said: Never before in my sixteen years in this city have I seen such a representative body of men as I take pleasure in welcoming here to- night"
 MT. Taylor Speaks.
 M E. Taylor president of the Louis- vile board of trade, was the next speak CT
 After expressing his pleasure at being in Birmingham and thanking the Com mercial club for it's hearty and sincere welcome, MT. Taylor said that the mem- bership of the Louisville board of trade was over one thousand and that he had