The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-13
Report of Secretary.

The annual report of Secretary L.. L.. Gilbert in part was as follows:
 Tn reviewing the history of the year, probably the most signal event was the completion of the big dam at Tallassee, thirty miles distant, and the development thereby of 6.000-horse-power of electric ity for use in the commercial channels of our city. Few cities in the South are so fortunately located and the practical utilization of this splendid water power marks new epoch in the industrial pro- gress of Montgomery. With an abund- ance of power available Montgomery can offer this substantial inducement to nan ufacturers as long as the river continues to contribute to our development.
 Another striking feature in Montgom- ery's growth this year has been our street railway transportation. The new purchasers of the Montgomery Street Railway System have spent about $160, 900 in improving and extending the same and in purchasing new equipment. Another $26O.O has been spent by the newly or- ganized Montgomery Traction CompaAy y in the construction of its fifteen miles of lines in the city and out to Pickett Springs .and in the purchasing of new equipment. Few cities anywhere of the size have the excellent street railway fa- cilities afforded at the present time in Montgomery. Both companies are vigor- ously extending their lines into the su- bdrban district and new houses and in-
 
 the inevitable result.
 ITO the commercial life of the city many new firms have opened their doors Noticeable among them are several lum- ditional line Montgomery is fast becom. ing center of influence and activity Some old firms have been reorganized and are equipped with additional capital and facilities
 Gin in Membership.
 Tn our own membership the Associa- ton shows steady gain, having lost forty-three members and gained sixty. five active and three nonresident mem bers.. a net gain of about twenty-five.
 "Of distinguished bodies entertained hy this Association and lfnportant conven. tions meeting here. the Convention Com. mittee.- will give full details. Of the means employed to advertise the city dur. ing the past year. the Advertising Com. mittee will speak in detail
 T cannot, however, refrain from re- ferring to the new booklet which has re. gently been issued by the Association tc the extent of 10000 copies. With hand some Illustrations which are all new md with sufficient amount of reading mat ter to interest and accurately instruct any inquirer the booklet serves In the most satisfactory manner, in supplying the need of literature descriptive of the clty's advantages. The newspapers of the State have been specially generous in their references to it in their editorial columns, and thereby laid the city of Montgomery under renewed obligations to them for courtesles shown in this and other ways.
 Tn matters of national legislation the Association Is to be congratulated upon the successful efforts of Congressman Wiley in securing the appropriation of S'5,OOJ for the improvement and enlarge ment of the Government Building in this city. which was requested after an exam nation and report of the Committee on Public Policy one year ago Contra cts. We understand, will be let in short time.
 Another matter in which the Associa- tion has ben interested through a sueci !, committee. oc which Hon. w. L. Martin is Chairman, was the holding at Moat- gnmery of at least one session cacn year of the United States Court of Appeals The passage of the htll through both Houses of Congress was decided victory for ConE~essmnn Wiley of this District, and the congra tulatinns of the .As"ocia- ton were "! ed 10 him.
 'tpnn the work of its Committee on l4eEisla tiori tire Association '@ particularly tn 'he congratulated I0;G t in detail will be submitted for yo9r info-mat ton hy them.
 Location of Factories.
 The Comni.toa on Mamfa curing has heen active anl while unsuccessful in some lines will be glad to report that 1t las hecn irstrun'ental in securing the ;o- cation at Montgomery of at least thTne new factories this vear-on of which is birthday present to tho Association to- night
 Tt is along this line, mere than any other that we would urge. the attention he directed ot those of onr community who desire to see the city prosper and advance. Al no time in tha hiqtorN al