The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-24
ID HAVE ANNUAL
 SMOKER TOMORROW
Commercial Club Will Install
 Its New President
WHAT THE CLUB HAS DONE
List of Presidents and What Each Ae- pIlshed-Jackson's Policy Is Expected to Be Very Pro-
 gressive.

The tenth annual smoker and business meeting of the Commercial club will be given tomorrow night. At the meeting the annual address of the retiring presi- dent. B. F. Roden, will be delivered. the secretary's and treasurers reports for the year will be made and the newly elected president will probably outline his policy in his inaugural address.
 Fred M Jackson, tho new president is the tenth to preside over the Conner cial club. He was unanimously elected two weeks ago and tomorrow he takes charge. It Is said that his policy will be one of progress and that he will make every effort to build up the club, and In 80 doing to build up the district.
 The Commercial club was organized in 1892 Just before the crash which nearly wrecked financially many of Birming- hams most prosperous business men, and it was largely due to the efforts of the club that many of them pulled through and that the district continued to grow during all the trouble.
 List of Presidents.
 The first president was B. F. Moore. whose first term was 30 successful that he was reelected for a second term. He carried the club through the crisis and brought several new industries to the district when the clouds were hanging darkest.
 Rufus N. Rhodes was the next presi- dent. He worked for the improvement of the club and took up the subscription with which to make an exhibit at the At lanta exposition. Ills policy was to en- courage the members of the club to work for brighter days to come. M. V. Joseph was largely instrumental, while president of the club. In getting up a contribution of about $400oO with which to make tests of the pig iron turned out here to see if 1t was suitable for making steel. The Avondale Cotton mills were secured during his administration.
 During the presidency of J. ". MIlner the steel plants were completed, and several important industries were brought to the district. Birmingham was recover ing rapidly from It's collapse and a new spirit was evident.
 B. Steiner was largely instrumental in SOCuilllB dA GAuiOlL HI lHo OIldnd eADO- sition. This served to advertise the dis- trict, and was responsible for several new plants which were located here during his administration and that of his successor Major Frank Y. Anderson.
 Major Anderson was largely interested in the Boys Industrial school. He se- cured a good subscription for the insti- | near East Lake.
 While w H. Kettig was president the cyclone struck Birmingham and as lead CT of the club he took an active part in raising a fund to relieve the sufferers. | He also advocated the advertising of Bir- mingham and the district, and pushed 1t in many ways
 During Culpepper Exum's term of of- flee the first sky scraper was started and while B. F. Roden was president 1t was completed. MT. Exum worked faithfully i for the club and secured three new indus tries, among which was the large sewer pipe plant at North Birmingham. This was burned down recently, but will be re- 1 built.
 
 During the administration of President Roden new life has seemed to come to Birmingham. Real estate has sold rap idly and at good prices New industries are coming this way and the second and third sky scrapers were started, and one almost completed
 Fred M. Jackson, who takes charge to- morrow night. has probably a brighter prospect than any of his predecessors. From one end of the district to the other there are houses being built, old stores and buildings repaired, and the entire district seems to be putting on new clothing which speaks of prosperity. Sev. eral large industries are trying to locate here, and there is talk of a number oi valuable improvements in the property oi | old firms.