The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-04
BIRMINGHAM TO DON
HANDSOMEST FROCK
Every Merchant Urged to Deco
rate for Convention
MAKE VISITORS FEEL GOOD
Various Committees Are Preparing
Unique Features-Huge Banner to
Stretch From the Brown-Marx
Building to the Woodward.

A ringing address has been issued to
Birmingham urging her to put on her best
bibb and tucker for the visitors who are
soon to be here for the convention of the
Southern Cotton association.
A letter is being sent out to every
merchant urging upon him the impor-
lance of decorating his place of business
In order TO make the distinguished south
erners feel that they are welcome, and
to put them in such good humor that they
will want to come again. The committees
want to have some pleasant surprises for
these men who are coming here and in
deed they are not so sure but what they
will surprise some of the people of Biz
mlngham themselves by the elaborateness
of the plans which they have under way.
For instance what will the matter OF
fact citizen of Birmingham think to come
down town some fine morning and see a
mammoth banner stretched from the
Brown-Marx building to the Woodward
building? What will he think when he
sees thousands of banners and flags waV-
ing from every window bearing the cheer
full word "Howdy?"
Yet these and still more striking things
will be done But the committee is eager
TO impress upon the entire population Of
Birmingham and adjoining cities the i'm
portance of making the entertainment Of
these visitors a personal matter. Inc
committees are powerless unless the peo-
pie will help and the expressions on every
hand lead them to believe that the APP
peal made to them will meet with instant
response
Committee Adopts Open Letter
The special committee on decorations.
appointed by the Board of Trade and con-
sisting of j. d. Collins, chairman; Robert
w. Ewing, John w. O'Neill, b. II. Coop
err, Roy Mccullough and oliver Chalitoux'
held a meeting in the offices of Mr.. Col
Inns yesterday afternoon and adopted an
open letter to the people of this district
A unique idea suggested by Mr.. O'Neill
at the meeting, and one that has been
received with universal favor, is the use
of small souvenirs bearing the saluta-
ton 'Howdy," to be worn on the lapel Of
the coat.
The following is the letter issued by the
Board of Trade committee:
January 3, 1907.
Dear Sir--As you doubtless notice from
newspap ouncement 1t is desired
that eve siness house IN Brhllng-
ham dec as extensively as posslple
for the n Cotton association con-
vention - will meet in Birmingham
beginning january II.
In order to further this matter the Bir-
mingham Board of Trade has appointed
the undersigned as a special committee 10
urge the matter of proper decoration FOR
this occasion, and as we haven't the OPP
portunity of seeing you in person, we
write to call your attention to the neces-
slty of entering into the spirit of the oc-
casion and make Birmingham present a
gala appearance to welcome our several
thousand guests at that time. Your estap-
lshment will not only be benefited by the
advertising which you will get by the at
tractive and appropriate decorations, put
its absence would be noticeable, and IL
every one co-operates In this matter our
guests will certainly get fine impression
of birmingham, which could not other
wise be given them, and 1t may result in
our procuring the regular headquarters OF
this influential association
A number of the merchants will under
take to carry a special stock of such ma
terial as will be required in decorating,
and we suggest that you take up this
matter with some merchant with whom
Won deal. and see If they cannot get some
| material specially adapted for your decor
ating which will avoid sameness.
We thank you in advance for cooper
alton In this matter and trust you will
act at once along the line of getting
| ready for the occasion and If you have
any suggestions to offer the chairman OF
any member of the committee, will be
very glad indeed to hear from YOU Re-
| specially,
]. D. COLLINS, Chairman,
ROBERT w. EWING,
JOHN w. O'NEILL,
| r. II. COOPER,
ROY MCCULLOUGH,