The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-09
BRYCE Is GIVEN
 GREAT RECEPTION Expresses Conviction of Bright
 Future for South COMMERCIAL CONGRESS The Organization Is Made Permanent Rising Vote of Thanks to G. Gros- venor Dave, Prime Mover
 In the Work.
COMMERCIAL CONGRESS

Washington. December S.-Express ing the conviction that great future is about to dawn upon the south, James Bryce, the British ambassador. today received a notable reception from the delegates in attendance upon the South ern Commercial congress, following a speech in which he declared that he is g well-wisher of the south.
 The ambassador was the center of at traction, although his visit was unex- pected. MT. Bryce came into the hall simply as a spectator. but the audience soon noted his presence, and immediate ly shouts of speech" speech" filled the air, and he was compelled to yield to the desire of the congress.
 Since came here IS months ago." said MT. Bryce, T have twice visited the south I can hardly express to you the contrast between what I person ally witnessed 27 years ago and the present conditions. Wherever I have been in the south I have been struck by the signs of activity, progress and development. I see the land being brought more and more into cultivation;
 
 tural meth ods. saw the resources of your soil, of coal and iron, being brought to light, and I saw a new spirit in the south, which desires to make educational progress commensurate with material development"
 Great Door Open.
 The amba ssador pointed out the enor- nous difficulties with which the south has had to contend since the civil wa. Now, however" he continued, there is great door open before you, and as one of the well-wish CTS of the south, who believes in it's greatness as flourishing and important part of the country, I venture to congratulate you on what is being done, and to say that still greater prospects are before you.'
 The afternoon session was presided over by Judge George Hillyer, a mem Der of the Georgia state railroad com mission. who, in a brief address, re- viewed the work of that body in deal ing with the transportation companies. The principal speakers were William J. Oliver of Knoxville, Tenn.;; Clarence H. Poe, editor of the Progressive Farm CT. Raleigh, N. C., and Dr. J. A. Bon steel of the United States bureau of soils.
 MT. Bonsteel reviewed the work which has been done by the bureau of soils in the way of Investigations in the south. The speaker declared the south is a region of almost boundless agri-
 
 belief that the brains and enterprise of these 15 southern states will not neglect so great an opportunity. He predicted that the next census will show that the annual value of the farm products of the south will double what 1t now is- which would be in excess of $2,0OO,- 900, 900,
 Davis Presides.
 Charles Hall Davis, president of the Petersburg, Va, Chamber of Commerce, presided over the morning session.
 D. A. Tompkins of Charlotte, N. C., followed in an address on Cotton Monop- oily and Cotton Manufacture" Mr. Tomplins' declaration that the south ern people have been slow to change their views which surrounded conditions that slavery met with a cordial reception "They have got to come to a new set of conditions surrounded by new institu- tions," he added.
 Dr. c. W. Hayes was the next speaker his subject being General Mineral Wealth in the South.'
 Committee Named.
 rt,o oo,,,x,i++aa X. ..a.11,,4t1-- appointed as follows: E. P. Glass and G. G.. Dave, Alabama; l. M Worthing- ton, Arkansas; D. G. Amber and D. H. Fletcher Florida Hoke Smith and w. B. Stillwell, Georgia; John E. Castleman and c. D. Gates, Kentucky; c. M. Ellis and w. W. Hendron, Louisiana; w. l.. Oliver and Leland Humes, Tennessee; H. H. sHaines and R. B. Boer, Texas; Jo- seph A. Ham and w. T. Dabney, Vir- ginia; George w. Simmons and John B. Pitcher, Missouri, and George E. Plumber and John w. Scott, Illinois.
 The committee on permanent organiza- ton was named as follows: J. s. Pinck- ard and I. E. Kilby, Alabama; I. M. Worthington, Arkansas; J. G. Ruge and F. M. Henry, Florida; T. G. Philpot. l.. H. Chapelle and John A. Betjeman, Georgia; George H. Cox and R. R. Perry, Kentucky; D. N Shelars and M. B. Trez- evant, Louisiana; w. A. Adams and A. E. Tate, North Carolina; H. M. Winslow and D. w. Stewart, Tennessee; Roy Miller and c. c. Odin, Texas; W. B. Livezey and E. B. Jacobs, Virginia, and Charles P. Center and c. H. Howard, Illinois.