The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-10-13
Afternoon Devoted Largely to
 Welcome Address
OFFICERS MAKE REPORTS
President Mahan Points Out That Many County Organizations Have Been Formed and That All
 Are Flourishing.

With quite a number of delegates pres ent and a still larger number due to arrive last night and this morning, the second annual convention of the Ala bama League of Postmasters or the Fourth Class convened in the City nall yesterday afternoon at o'clock, Presi- dent K. c. Mahan of Brierfield, offieiat- ing.
 Among those who were present when the meeting was called to order were:
 W. R. Young, West Bloeton; s. c. ray Tor. Whatley; D. P. Melvin, Piper; John- son Bruce, Thorsby; Miss Sallie A. Ool- Her, Brunridge; Postmaster Webb Wepp' Postmaster Jones, Equality; J. l.. Miller Berry; A. l.. Block, Millport; George FIT mer. Aldrich; Traywich, Bankston; w. N. Edwards, Eclectic; William G. King, Dunavent; Thomas Hicks. Autaugaville; N. L. Wilson, Blocton; N. c. Fuller Centeryille; Miss Rebecca s. Oakley, Ash by: Miss Victoria Palmer, Randolph; k. A. Mcbride, Covington; W. M. Richards Garnsey; John X. Thomas, Pratt City; T. W. Gardner, Aliceville; James A. Harris. Horton; James W. Brock, Ha- leys.
 Immediately after the meeting was called to order the addresses of welcome were made and at their conclusion a short recess was taken in order that everyone might get acquainted The league was just organized in october or last year, a total membership of 6S be- ing registered at that time, while 1t has increased since then to S55. A great
 had apt before and this recess proved quite an enjoyable occasion.
 Judge N B. Feagin made the address of welcome in behalf of the city, well coming the visitors in his usual eloquent style. He noted particularly the fact that Birmingham was an ideal city for the holding of the annual meeting of this association as 1t had recently been made the headquarters for all four class off, fices in the state.
 In conclusion he said: we hope your coming in touch with us will result in your adopting the best that we have and applying to your own towns where you think it will improve. We welcome you with the best we have" The judge also advised the members that if they should happen to butt up against Bir- mingham policeman that he would place them upon probation.
 Professor Joseph T. Blakemore assist ant Birmingham postmaster, also made an address of welcome, saying in part:
 Tt is with pleasure that l welcome you for you have visited us upon my invitation to you through the Commer- cal Club of this city. While know the faces of but few of you there is scarce a one of you whom I have not corres- bonded with during the past few years on business pertaining to the postoffice department and l really feel as if I was personally acquainted with each and everyone of you
 ''I have been active in organizing this league and also the association of clerks and carriers and I wish to state to you the purpose of this league. It's object is to improve the efficiency of the ser vice. To my personal knowledge the ef- ficiency of the fourth class service has increased 50 per cent during the last two or three years
 ''It is from your offices that most of the rural routes radiate and the inn provement has been great in this part of the work. This rural delivery service was only started 12 years aga but it has 1 gained rapidly. Four years age there were but 32O rural carriers in Alabama, while today there are over 300, gain | of 200 per cent
 
 | postmaster Is a great public service 1 am aware that many of you have small i salaries and are compelled to piece out | your salaries by other avocations. A | great many of the fourth class post. masters in Alabama are large planters ] and merchants, and this in itself has | resulted in high standard of efficiency 1 among you, as the department has put | in the best men,.
 l ProfaSgor Rlaknmara in conclusion ay. pressed the opinion that postmaster whC | handles his work in first-elass style | should not be changed by each politica | party that gets into office, but that ths civic service rule should prevail.
 The recess was taken immediately afte, this, general handshalxing following | When it convened again G. M Howle | formerly connected with the Birmingham | postoffice, and who has been of great as slstance in arranging for this convention | made few welcoming remarks and toic | of the plans laid for their entertaipment | Col. Lee H. Russ of The Age-Herald | was called upon by President Mahan, ano in response spoke of the important pari | which the postmasters took as regards
 the success of newspaper. In part he
 said:
 | Tt gives me two-fold pleasure to be | with you, for 1 know many of you per
 sonally, while there are many more oi | you whom l have met personally in look | ing after the interests of The Age-Heralu | am not pstmaster, nor the son oi | postmaster, but if the fraternity oi | postmasters has ever had a first-cousir
 l am here to modestly admit that I laS | claim to that near kinship, for 1 hay. | been engaged in newspaper work the bet | ter part of my life, and the two go han, | in hand. One cannot achieve success: | without materially benefiting the other ] "I am not here, however, to trespas. | upon your generosity and patience, bu | l am here as the representative of Tn, | Age-Herald. the great morning paper O l Alabama, and in behalf of it l welcom, you to the Queen City of your state.' l Following the addresses the reports o | the various officers were made and com
 mittees appointed. The report of Pres
 dent Mahan showed splendid develop
 ment of the association, especially in thu | forming of county leagues. Jefferson | Baldwin, Butler, Bibb, Clark, Covington | Cullman, Choctaw, Dallas, Elmore, Jack | son, Monroe, Marion, Mobile, Marenga Pickens. St. Clair, Washington, Wake 1 and Wilcox counties were reported t, | have already organized, Clark and Wash ington counties being named as banne | counties.
 The National League of Postmasters which adjourned it's annual convention il ! Des Moines. la, Sunday, was organized | in 1904, but since that time has grow l to enormous proportions, until now ever, part of the United States and its differen I possessions have been organized into dis {! trict and state leagues
 The Alabama delegation to the nationa | conuvention is expected to arrive in Bir | mingham today, and will report on tn l work of the national body.
 There will be both morning and after l noon sessinn tndaV while tomorrow vii