The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-01-16
Gall Is Issued for Funds for
 Commercial Congress
BIG BUILDING APPROVED
One Thousand Men of the South Will Be Asked To Aid In Paying for Building and To Carry Out
 the Plans Formed.

Atlanta, January 15.-To vivify the bus mess of the south by an organization embracing 15 states and backed by an almost inexhaustible fund, contributed by the leading business men of those states was the proposition laid before the ex- ecutfve committee of the Southern Com mercial congress in session here today State organizations were mapped out and the million dollar office building in Wash ington approved
 A call was issued to 1000 men of the south to contribute 5000 each to fund for permanent investment to carry on the work
 The committee adjourned tonight to meet tomorrow with numbers of promi- nent business and professional men from all over the south who were attracted here tonight by the banquet to President elect Taft.
 In an official statement of the ground covered today the committee says: ''The recent action of the officers of the congress in acquiring a location in Washington for it's future home was unanimously formed.
 Methods for the raising of the balance of the necessary fund of S1, 900 900 were considered, and it was unanimously di- rected to add to and to strengthen the executive committee by the appointment of strong and representative men from various sections, who would be willing to contribute their time, energy and money to the furtheranee of the purposes of the congress. The appointment of state executive committees was also decided upon, but the full state of these com , mittees had not been decided upon when the committee adjourned for the day. "A prospectus of the organization was also adopted. together with a plan for giving it wide publicity"
 Organization Outlined.
 The committee here includes brief history of the organization of the South ern Commercial congress at Washington last month. The report then continues
 '"The plan of the Southern Commercial congress involves the practical establish ment at Washington of a southern de- pertinent of commerce and labor. man. aged by practical business men, directed
 
 sources rather than the exploitation of localities directing immigration to q whole section rather than to a single community; and bringing to the atten- tion of investors from other sections of our country and abroad the magnifi- cent opportunities awaiting them, all to be done by concerted action.
 'The executive committee decided to create an endowment fund, the income from which should be perpetually used to carry on this work. In order to create this fund it was decided to ask 1000 men in the south to contribute 5000 each, this fund to be permanently invested and the income to be used by the congress In carrying out it's purposes.
 Investment of Fund.
 "As a method of investing this fund 1t was decided that the Congress should erect a magnificent office building at the national capitol which should u1ti- mately become the center of southern business life and which should be mon ument to southern enterprise and energy In this building is to be located an audi torium for public gatherings, It's offices to be rented to institutions or individ- uals who have or desire southern bus- mess connections.
 "As an aid to this attempt 1t was de- cided to organize the Southern club.
 
 posed building, and which should be the center of southern social and business life in Washington.
 ITO each of the men contributing 5000 for the proposed endowment fund will be given a life membership in the club, which can be transferred by will to a successor in case of death To each cor poration will be given membership for each 5000 contributed, such membership to be in the name of the officer or em- ployee of the company designated. Plans Tor large local membership in Wash ington, paying monthly dues are under way.
 "Of the endowment fund $1OO, ,OoO can probably be raised in Washington. as- surance to that effect having been re- ceived
 Site of Building.
 For the site of the proposed building the Southern Commercial congress has obtained the most magnificent location in Washington, at the northeast corner of Fifteenth and H streets, on the crest of the hill It overlooks the treasury building just one block away and the White House, two blocks away. The tract of land measures 150 to 14S feet, a lot containing 22,5OO square feet, and having light and air on three sides. The third side faces on a wide alley.
 ''The executive committee will imme- diately commence to secure additional subscriptions to it's endowment fund
 Those present at today's meeting were John M. Parker of New Orleans, presi- dent of the congress; John G. Ruge, Ap- alachicola, Fla, vice president; G. Gros- venor Dave, Montgomery, managing di- rector; Edwin L. Quarles Petersburg, Va. secretary: John A. Benjamin, AL bany, Ga., treasurer John A. Fox, Blythe vile, Ark; Charles H. Davis, Petersburg Va, and William J. Oliver, Knoxville Tenn. the latter a member of the finance committee.