The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-12-28


 
 ules, and other advantages have been obatined through cooperation with the railroads A rebate system has been es- tablished. which alone is responsible for much of the trade.
 The greatest terminal station in the south, and one of the finest in the country was opened formally last spring It cost s2.oooooo. It was appreciated by the peo- pie of Birmingham, who demonstrated to ]. T. Harahan and MT. Hartman that the tide of opinion had turned.
 Nearly 100000 was put in residences in Birmingham last year. The county spent sl7o,ooo on roads. One new railroad, the Atlanta. Birmingham and AtlanticI reached Birmingham with It's lines.
 Much has been done in an educational way. The public library. dnder an expert director. Miss Nimmo Green, has spread out over whole floor of the city hall, and is one of the best stocked in the south. Due to the efforts of unselfish citi- zens. a music festival was established per manently, and the first was a delight full week of music, turning the minds of laboring people to the masterpieces of genius. Damrosch's orchestra and splendid talent were responsible Four nublto schools have been doubled in ca- nscitv and as many new buildings will ro in within the next nine months.
 Much was done to beautify Birmingham Mountain Terrace. and the whole or heo mountain have been changed into ter race of handsome resndences. The city beautiful campaign. started by former Mayor Ward, still keeps beauty In the minds of the people
 The cut through Red mountain IS almost completed. Within two weeks traffic Will he turned through on an easy grade' and Shades mountain will be connected with Jones valley.
 The visit of President Taft, with his boastinr speeches and dozen or more conventions, brought the city into genial contact with the outside world.
 New Building During Year.
 During the year the business section too,x on a metropolitan appearance with four new office buildings opening up, the Farley. the Brown-Marx annex, the Elm ptrs and the Chamber of Commerce, but there Is now hardly vacant office In the city.
 The Chamber of Commerce building, the prettiest in the south. uneaualed any where. is the special pride of the year. If has attracted more attention to Bir- minRhan than almost any ono thing. Out of the gloom of 1908, the district advanced by leaps and bounds.
 Merchants Diseuss Outlook.
 Home of the merchants were asked yes- terday about their Christmas trade. The opinion was unanimous that it has run 20 per cent above any other. Christmas session in the history of the city. This has surprised them all. Many expected good business. but were more than .de- lighted.
 Said M. V. Joseph, of Loveman Joseph & Loeb This has been our banner month Our sales have exceeded any thing since we have been in business The people were happy, looking forward to 1910, and spent their money freely
 Sam Blach said: "Our business has gone 1 per cent above our best previous season. All during the month we have had more than we could say grace oyer. The people have had the money and spent 1t for substantial. serviossbls goods"
 Manager McCreary of Kresss, said: 'sws have sold out, The rush has never bsfors bssn saualsd. Our business tAis aeath h 2 per esat higher than hst