The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-12
One Hundred Bankers Gather in Con-
 Vention. MAYOR CARR VOICES SPIRIT OF THE CITY President Smith and Other Officers Submit Annual
 Reports. Veteran Banker Fitts of Tuscaloosa and w. ". Crawford of Birming- ham Respond to Words of
 weIceme-Today at
 Jackson's Lake.

Gratified with the commercial activity of perhaps the most prosperous Spring in the States history, secure In the belief of its continuance through the immediate future, the bankers of Alabama, with business cares left behind them on their counters and in their private offices. are in Montgomery for two days of recrea- ton and profit.
 The profit is to come from an inter. schange of ideas and experience, and the enlargement of the sphere of influence and activity of the Alabama Bankers As sociation. The recreation, the pleasure is coming from the splendid program of entertainment arranged for their out-of- town business associates by the bankers of Montgomery It was the wish, the earnest desire of the bankers of Mont gomery to make this annual meeting the greatest in the chain of the annual events of the association. That this is being achieved is due alike to the indefatigable labors of the local bankers and the hearty cooperation and responsive in- terest of the out-of-town bankers. In the record of the association the Mont gomery meeting will probably be mark ed with a white stone. None like 1t has gone before.
 In the first place the time was auspi- ciously chosen. It has been a great year for Alabamas business. A great majority of the banks represented in the Association,-and the pick and flower of the banks of the State are in the Asso- ciation-draw their strength and sub- stance from agriculture. The vitality and strength of the agricultural interests is the vitality and strength of the bank ing interests.
 In his annual address yesterday, Presi- dent Tom o. Smith, of the Association said: Agriculture. after all. is the most stable and the soundest of all the bases of wealth.
 Horticultural conditions In Alabama have probably never been better, certain' ly not since the war between the States The cotton crop of the State was nevel So valuable as it was last winter. Int staple is now above 13 cents.
 The farmers of Alabama are assured of an excellent price for what cottor they raise this year. With a prosperous fall behind them and a prosperous fal in front of them the bankers of Ala bama may we'll feel that they can spend two days in recreation untrouoled witi business cares.
 Spirit of COntentment. It is in this spirit of contentment ant qualification that they have gathered fl Montgomery. They have come to ex change greetings and ideas with thei associate bankers. The worries of thu business day, the books. the accounts the vaults and the money they left witl the subordinates at home.
 The Alabama Bankers Association hai kept pace in prosperity with the State Alabama. The report of Secretary E.. Buck shows that the membership Of tn Association has increased over 50 pc cent during the past year. Out of A banking institutions in Alabama 10S ar | members of the Association.
 The report of Secretary Buck contain l ed two important recommendations. H suggested that directory of the mem bers be published and distributed. H further recommended that members the Association give other members pre- ference in the matter of business an that a member, should he be 1lnfortunat enough to be the victim of a confidenc game in the transaction of his business should inform the other members of tn
 methods of the sharpers with their de scrfption. The attendance is very large for tn | Association. It is estimated that ther
 are over a hundred visitors in attendanc
 upon the meeting.
 The first session which began yester
 day afternoon at o'clock was held a the rooms of the Commercial and Indus
 trial Association and consisted mainl of welcome addresses and responses | Two business sessions will be held todd
 at Jackson's Lake, where an old fash toned barbecue will be rendered the visi
 tors. A special train will leave for tha
 noint at 9:30 o'clock this morning.
 ASSEMBLY, ROOM WAS | FILLED WITH BANKERS
 The large assembly room Of tn Commercial and Industrial Associatlo was we'll filled when President TOT O. Smith ascended the rostrum. Ever