The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-23

has been given to convention Work, as this seemed the most beneficial course of education which could be bestowed upon those who did not know Birmingham.
 Sickness and Laziness.
 There is no room in this city for the twin sisters-sickness and laziness-the latter is very often the hand maiden of the former
 This club has indorsed, and we have now in the city, the American tubercu- losis exhibit, which affords the greatest food for instruction that our city has ever had.
 The statistics show that about one seventh of the deaths in the state of Ala bama are caused by consumption, and it is hard to arouse the people to the neces- sity of it's prevention and cure.
 The knowledge of how to do is shown in this exhibit, and all ought to attend and disseminate the knowledge which each will obtain.
 The state board of health, through its president, Dr. B. l.. Wyman, is giving It's efficient aid to this great work and the Jefferson County Medical association, with it's more than 900 members, Is most unselfshly aiding the undertaking.
 Conclusion.
 The past has been good to us, and the future has many things in its storehouse for those who deserve them. Do we? Shall we? One way to find out your own condition is that of comparison, and surely on any fair comparison we stand first.
 It is not necessary for us to chase rain bows; it is not needful for us to exag gerate; all we of Birmingham have to do Is to tell the truth, that all may know our resources. and none underestimate our strength.
 While we say nothing against our sis ter cities and towns, sustained as they are by smaller industries or agriculture, still we do say, as we must, that here, added to what others have, are the untold iron that from year to year will add to mans comfort in the using. and bring stores of wealth to the producer
 The future records of Birmingham s greatness will be written by this club, her sponsor, for glories yet to come.
 Raul Escorted to Chair.
 MT. Wood then announced the result of the recent election, and President John L. Raul was escorted to the chair amid the applause of the members. After a motion had been passed, thanking MT. Wood for his past efficient and effective service, MT Raul made his inaugural ad- dress. He said:
 Members of the Commercial Club
 "Gentlemen: I would, indeed, be un grateful if I were not deeply sensible of the honor you have conferred upon me in electing me your presiding officer for the ensuing year, and especially do I ap- Preciate 1t as a mark of your good will and confidence. l shall endeavor to 50 discharge the duties of my position as to justify, in some measure, this expression of your regard.
 'In looking over the history of the Com- mercial club l find abundance of incen- cessors and realize that it will be no easy task to equal the record they have made. To them I feel there is due great credit for their successful efforts toward perfecting the organization of the club, increasing it's membership, scope and eff fectiveness. We may well be proud of the progress we have made under their leadership, and from 1t take courage to go on-for there Is much yet to be done
 'I question very seriously whether the people of any city, and especially of a city like ours, still young and perhaps not yet fully awake to the possibilities that lie before it. fully realize what an organization of this kind means to the welfare of their community, and the duty they owe to such an organization; or whether they understand fully what it's failure or lack of effectiveness would mean to the community at large. There. fore it behooves us who do see it in this light to forcefully and effectualIy bring this conception home to our neighbors and enlist their interest and cooperation iii the noble work this club is doing and hopes to do in the future.
 Tt is in such work that all can strive together in harmony for the common welfare of our city.
 Cooperation First Requisite.
 "The first requisite, if we are to be successful in what we have undertaken, is a spirit of cooperation among off cers and members: that assured scarcely anything should daunt us-without it. we cannot hope to win the largest success If heretofore there has been any failure on our part, it has been due to the lack @r @l,. ;AI 1t.,% in oir community--the work that should have been shared by many having been left to fall upon the few. We must, therefore, address ourselves to securing the support of every man who receives anything at the hands of Birmingham, or who has anything to give her. to seeing that some part of the work is as- signed to every member, and that every member does his part.
 'If any member of our club. or any citizen of Birmingham cannot say good word for the club and it's work. at least he should not complain, but rather take a mental inventory of what he has done for the good of the commun- ity; it is likely that he will then look more charitably upon our shortcomings.
 We all have our limitations, but they depend largely upon our energy and ef- fort. Our club has not reached it's Him.