The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-09
BIRMINGHAM MUST
KEEP OPEN HOUSE
City'S Honor at Stake in Enter
tanning Visitors
500 BEDS ARE ORDERED
These Will Be Used Only In Emer-
gency-Committee Asks That Pri-
waite Homes Be offered
for Entertainment.
500 BEDS ARE ORDERED

The general committee of the CONNER
eial club having In charge the arrange
ments for the entertainmentof the dele
gates and visitors to the convention of
the Southern Cotton association to be
held in Birmingham next week held a
meeting at tho Commercial club rooms
yesterday afternoon at 4 o'clock.
Chairman W. p. G. Harding presided
over the meeting and heard reports from
ehairmen of several subcommittee in
charge of various details of the arrange
ments.
Chairman Robert Jemison, Jr., of the
accommodations committee made a re-
port in which it was shown that rooms
have already been secured for about 1900
people in hotels and boarding houses. The
work of canvassing the city has not yet
been completed. and it is hoped by Mr..
Jemison that accommodations for at least
1000 people will be secured in boarding
houses and In rooming apartments. He
reported that the services of one man had
been engaged who is making house to
house canvass and keeping a record of
rooms that can be secured for the use
of delegates and visitors
Must Throw Homes Open.
Mr.. Jemison reported that it was his
opinion from the investigation already
made that the committee would have
some difficulty in securing adequate ac-
commodations for the large number of
people that is expected to attend the con-
vention in the hotels and boarding houses
of the city and stressed the Importance of
! calling upon the citizens of the city to
open their homes to the visitors.
Mr.. Jemison recommended that at least
800 cots be secured to place in public
halls and other places convenient for the
purpose to be used In an emergency. The
recommendation was accepted by the COM
mttee and an order was at once placed
for the extra cots.
viii Name Reception Committee.
Maj. F. Y. Anderson suggested that
a reception committee of thirty members
for each of the three days of the con-
vention be appointed to take care of the
incoming delegates. The suggestion was
adopted and Chairman Harding author
lied Major Anderson to appoint the COM
mittees.
| Secretary Babb of the Commercial club
was instructed to prepare suitable badges
for the officers of the convention and
members of the executive committee. He
reported that an order had already been
placed for badges for the delegates, and
that suitable badges were already on hand
| for the reception committee suggested by
Major Anderson.
j. B. Shelby, chairman of the decora-
tons committee, reported that a majority
of the merchants and business men of the
| city had agreed to decorate extensively
| for the convention, and that the proper
material for decoration purposes had been
provided for. He stated that It is his
opinion that the city, will be profusey
decorated as the people had responded
eheerfully to every request made.
Special Appeal Is Made.
The following special appeal to the peo-
pie of Birmingham to assist in provid-
ing accommodations for the visitors was
issued
To the People of Birmingham and of the
Birmingham District:
The general committee In charge of ar
rangements for the entertainment of the
| convention of the Southern Cotton ASSOC
| citation, to be held in Birmingham Janu-
| airy IL IS and 10, find after careful can
| vass of the situation that 1t Will be abb
| sclutely necessary, In order to accom-
| modate the large numbe rof delegates
! that have signified their intention to at
| tend the convention, for our citizens TO
| throw open their homes to these dele
| gates. 1t will not be necessary to furnish
meals as the restaurants and cafes of
| Birmingham are more than ample to ac-
| commodate any number that may attend,
| but sleeping rooms must be provided. The
| very best people in the south are coming
as delegates to this convention, and while
| an elaborate entertainment for so large a
| number is not expected. we must see
| that the delegates are comfortably
| housed. The eyes of the world are now
upon Birmingham and her honor is at
| stake. We urge citizens to at once no.
| tify Robert Jemison, Jr.. chairman of the
| committee on accommodations, In writ
| ing of the number of rooms that can be
| provided. II you have already invited
| friends, please notify Mr.. Jemison at
any rate. so that he can check them off
| the total number Of that are expected.
w. p. G. HARDING, Chairman,
r. Y. ANDERSON,
H. y. GRAY.
w. u. NESBITT,
ROBERT JEMISON, JR.
j. f.. SHELBY,
NJ. V. JOSEPH,
j. y. BABB,
Executive Committee.