The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-11-25
CHICAGO PARTY SPEAKS
GLOWlNGLY OF THE SOUTH

The Chicago Record-Herald chronicled
the return of the Chicago delegation of
their Chamber of Commerce from its
southern tour with interviews by the
various members and the remarkable
change of the south is pictured in graphic
words. Birmingham is the only southern
city mentioned specially and Howard Eli
ing declares that he was astonished at
six years growth of the Magic City. Here
is the story:
After two weeks enjoyment of south
ern hospitality and unceaslng revelations
of the wealth. prosperity and develop
ment of the leading cities In a half-dozen
states, the 80 delegates of the Chicago
Association of Commerce returned to the
city yesterday afternoon filled with en-
thusiastc praise of the section they Wis
tied, and aroused TO the vast possibilities
which invite Chcago's business world.
Each delegate came back with the same
story. The trip has been an 'eye-opener.'
From an educational standpoint it is
a pity that every member of the associa-
ton cannot have the opportunity to know
first-hand OF what our work In the Mis-
sssippi valley means to tneS general in
terests of Chicago said Walter D.
Moody, business manager of the associa-
tion. "Al1 along the route we found the
most genuine sentiment and regard for
Chicago in a business way. 1t was my
privilege while selling goods to be In the
section we visited, and l can say without
exaggeration that was literally astound-
ed to find the changes that have taken
place since l was down there.
Where then there were small cities,
handicapped with the old type of south
ern conservatism. there have developed
metropolitan and cosmopolitan cities of
unrivaled activity and advancement, We
found that these people want what We
have to sell. 1t is up to Chicago to
make a more thorough canvass of this
section and give strict attention to the
routing of shipments.
In almost every city the bankers
especially expressed their unbounded graf
itude toward the bankers of Chicago for
material assistance during the fall of
1907 In most expressive terms they have
stated to us publicly that they tried New
York for money first, only to be turned
down. then st. Louis, and were told they
could have exchange on New York; but
cold cash was wanted and nothing else
and they got 1t Immediately and on rea-
sonable terms from Chicago.
+" The trip was an eye-opener, said
Howard Elting. There are great posi-
bilities down there awaiting Chicago cap
ftal. We only need to go after the BUSH
ness of the south to get it. All over the
south Chicago stands in the highest favor
with the business men. The best ex-
PLANTATION for this high regard lies in the
fact that Chicago went to the aid Of the
southern banks when cash was necessary
to the movement of the crops last fall
The development of the cities is ALMOST
beyond understanding. Six years ago
was in Birmingham. Ala, and when I
saw the city few days ago I was aston
tshed to note its tremendous progress
Everywhere we went the signs of pros
perity were to be noted on every hand.
The south is no longer a land of prob
lens; it is land of progress
1--we certainly had our eyes opened
during our trip" said Clement L. Clapp
1.-The thing for Chicago to do is to get
after the trade down there, for it is wait
ing for us. The people are especially
friendly toward Chicago, for they cannot
forget that the Chicago banks were
friendly to the south when they needed
money to move the cotton last year.
noticed that there was a fine feeling
of unity prevailing In the Mississippi
valley. and that the old sectional preju-
dice had disappeared. Much of the an
taeonism that once existed toward the