The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-17

Il come from New orleans, city that is famous for it's entertainment I have attended many banquets there, but I have never attended one anywhere for which the preparations have been so beautiful and so lavish.
 q want to say a serious word with reference to your city. All over the south the Chamber of Commerce of Birming- ham is known for it's systematic, energetic advertising. Fifteen years is going to see this city what It's most ardent friends predict for 1t. Enough steel and iron products will be turned out to build all the railroads, steel bridges and office buildings of the south."
 He said that man does not have to come south to know Birmingham because the three local papers spread the news everywhere, doing great and an unself- ish work
 He urged the bushes organizations of the south to cooperate with the press in advertising and exploiting the south. Substance from the soil alone in Ala bama will support ten million people.
 You should join with us in obtaining a 12-foot channel in the Mississippi and a waterway to Mobile. We must all do our best for the south."
 "The next speaker Is living, breath ing exhibit of activity of the south,'' said MT Rhodes as he introduced Curtis B. Johnson of the Knoxville Sentinel Mir Johnson thanked everyone for the enter tainment and said that all had been irn- pressed with Birminghams wonderful pro- gress and bright future.
 James J. Smith of the Birmingham Led ger was the next speaker. He defended visitor who had called Birmingham "the biggest town in the world" and told how much Birmingham appreciated the visit of the publishers.
 Colonel Rhodes introduced the next speaker, Frank P. Glass, as "our friend who might be termed inimical to our dis trict." MT. Glass protested against be- ing called inimical to Birmingham. He said that Montgomery is proud of Br- mingham and sometimes thinks of Br- mingham as her daughter
 You have drawn on us for most of your active citizens who have come over to show you how to hustle and prosper There is the greatest good will toward Birmingham. I must say that I believe that within the next ten years Birming- ham will be the greatest city of the south.
 "It typfies the whole state of Alabama. Within the last ten years south Alabama has increased in population greater than the northern section of the state.
 Not having been in Ensley In years I was amazed today when I walked through that steel plant. I am glad to
  ing to It's normal state that 1t will soon increase It's pay roll by 10000 workmen. This all rebounds to the glory of the state.
 You have the most beautiful residence section in the south I was glad to have had the opportunity of hearing the ed itor of the Atlanta Constitution admit this fact recently"
 In closing he said: we are endeavorng to start publicity bureau to show to the world the great possibilities of the south and within the next few months you are going to see engine started into motion which will bring thousands of peo- pie and dollars to this section"
 The toastmaster next introduced D. W. Barrett of The Age-Herald, "who lends his influence at all times to the best as he sees 1t; who has convictions and stands by them, and l glory in that kind of man."
 MT. Barrett welcomed the visitors as a newspaper man and declared that he thought the southern newspapers the greatest in the world He referred to the visit of the steel plant at Ensley by the party yesterday and said: 'I was amazed when Gordon Crawford told me that the company had spent $12000,0O0 out there."
 Jemison and Bush Speak. Robert Jemison, Sr., pictured Birming ham 25 years ago, and at the present, when "she Is naming the price of iron to the world"
 "You gentlemen are right" he said, "when you band together to advertise the south, and you will soon convince the world that the south Is the greatest spot on earth We look to you to make the fight for us. No country can produce the cotton or the fruit and no state can turn out the iron and steel as cheaply as the state of Alabama"
 The toastmaster introduced Col. T. q. Bush, who 'has been everything in Bir- mingham except captain of steamboat, and we had no river"
 q feel little out of place standing here as a plain working man among so many distinguished newspaper men," said Colonel Bush. "It is with very great pleas ure that l join in extending a hearty well come to our friends. We look to you for articles of wit, of profound statesmanship and expect you to regulate our morals, our politics and our prosperity.
 we welcome you and honor you for what you have done in your own com munities and for the entire south. We feel that Birmingham belongs not only to Alabama but the whole south and we hope that we have your sympathy, and we know that you take pride in our suc- cess.'
 Colonel Bush spoke of the newspapers tremendous responsibility. He gave a hu- morous explanation of "why newspapers tell so many lies-because they gather in- formation from so many liers.''
 He expressed confidence in the news paper leadership of the south, although "I have not such confidence in our polit- ical leaders," He did not think that the most romantically inclined newspaper man could exaggerate the possibilities of the south, and in closing said There is no one thing that the people of Birmingham are more proud of than it's newspapers. They are always for the uplifting of our community and stand for purity and righteousness. We know that they are clean and can go into any household"
 Joseph On Trade.
 M. V. Joseph also paid compliments to "our clean daily press" and put in a word for the advancement of Birmingham commercially. We are not satisfied with the development of Birmingham, but we want a greater trade here. The field is here and by activity we can create great mass of business.
 T. H. Motion spoke upon the develop ment of the city, and expressed his pleas ure at having entertained the publishers. Frederick l.. Seely of the Atlanta Geor- gian delivered what he called "a lec- ture" on the way to conduct modern independent militant newspaper. "It be- hooves us' he said, ito run our sheets as honestly as we can. If We are frank and open ourselves our men will initiate us"
 George Bailey of the Houston Post made the delightful after-dinner speech of the evening It was rambling, but full of