The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-07
STATE EXHIBIT
 MAY YET BE MADE Commercial Club Discussed
 Plans Yesterday THE COMMITTEE REPORTS Alabama, Vermont and Delaware Are the Only States That Have Not Prepared Plans for Worlds
 Fair Building.
THE COMMITTEE REPORTS

The chief subject of discussion at the regular meeting of the Commercial club yesterday afternoon was the exhibit to be made at the Louisiana Purchase ex- position in St. Louis next year by Bir- mingham and perhaps by the state of Alabama.
 There seems to be no possibility now that the plan to have colossal iron statue of Vulcan made and exhibited at the exposition will fail, the space for the giant having already been secured. President F. M. Jackson made report for the committee from the club which recently went to St. Louis and looked over the exposition grounds and J. A. MacKnight who also went on the trip made a stirring speech in which he em- phasized the magnitude of the great worlds fair and told the importance to Birmingham that would be derived from having a suitable exhibit.
 Alabama as a State.
 He said that 1t was a shame that Ala bama as a state was not to be represent ed. There is one building on the exposl- ton ground in the construction of which HOO car loads of Alabama lumber was used" he said. Vermont, Delaware and Alabama are the only states in the union now which have not made arrangements to have exhibits, and we should all feel ashamed to have Alabama classed with these tail-enders.'
 Mir. MacKnight said that every dollar spent by the state in this matter would mean the bringing back of ten dollars and perhaps one hundred to the state, and that he was glad the other com mercial bodies of the state were taking the matter up and that it was very prob ably now that state building would be erected.
 Secretary Gibson, who also went to St Louis said he could only add to what MT. MarKnight had said that he had not sufficiently emphasized the importance of an exhibit and that 1t could not be made too forclble. President Jackson present. ed the following letter from President D. K. Francis of the exposition: President Francis Letter.
 Dear Sirs: I cannot express my grati- iiN"'ioh aI the VlSlt made to the exposi- tion grounds by your president, MT. Sackson' your secretary, Mr.. Gibson, and Messrs. J. A. Mcknight F. w. Dixon and Culpepper Exum These gentlemen seem to have been considerably impressed with the importance of Alabama's pre- sentation at the exposition before thev came to St. Louis, but since they have seen the progress of our work and be- come familiar with the character and scope or this enterprise they are deter mined that Alabama shall not be rendered conspicuous by her absence when the gates to the exposition are thrown open to the world on April 30 next.
 "lf these gentlemen are representative members of your body I am sure that an organization that combines so much energy, public spirit and intelligence will be able to bring about almost anything 1t undertakes.
 Speaking for the exposition I should very much regret if Alabama should fan to have state building on our grounds and to install a characteristic exhibit in our exhibit palaces
 With best wishes for your succes, and with appreciative acknowledgement Of the visit of your delegation. I am very respectfully,
 ID. R. FRANCIS,
 President Birmingham Commercial Club. Rirn- ingham Ala"
 The Iron Man.
 Robert Jemison said that he thought Alabama would have an advantage over any other state making an exhibit be- cause the iron man would be so unusual and conspicuous. He said that signs should be placed about the grounds read ing "Go see the big iron man" He added that building should be put up by the state, and that he believed that all the material necessary would be donated by different companies in the state.
 M. V. Joseph said that since the com mittee sent to St. Louis had brought back so much enthusiasm he thought it would be well to try to get a committee from the state at large to go up there and get enthused with the importance of making a state exhibit.
 Gen R. N. Rhodes also made A fer vent plea for something that would inn press outsiders with the greatness of the state and district. Others who spoke in -