The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-07

company. "When we see this great out pouring of people," he said "I am afraid we haven't built this station big enough. On behalf of the Terminal company l wish to express appreciation and thanks for your approval of what we have done. I wish especially to thank the Business Mems league, represented by its president. MT Ufford and MT. Ford, chairman Of the arrangements committee for this oc- casion. They are to be congratulated for having undertaken to bring together all of north Alabama to come here and ex- press approval of what I call an unselfsh undertaking to meet the demand for facil- tiles of travel here in Birmingham.
 We started a great work, have taken 1t through a panic and a business de- pression and within a reasonable time brought it to completion. am not com petent to describe all ofdts beauty. It is complete and adequate in every respect, one of the most beautiful of its kind in the world
 This Terminal will stand a monu- ment not only to the railroads, who pro- 1ected it, but to the city of Birmingham. as a milestone in her history, when she will no longer be content with means or service not adequate to their demands"
 Here one of the bands began to play as it left the station, and some voice called, "Go it, Jim; don't be afraid" and another one cried, "Go 1t Comer-where's Braxton Bragg"
 MT. Weatherly continued: We don't claim this building for our own. The Terminal company doesn't make any money out of it. It is here for your use.
 T consider this gathering expressive of another thing. 1t shows that the rail roads were forced to build it by the growth push and prosperity of the Bir- mingham district It takes encourage ment to bring what you want and dis couragement to deprive you of it.
 This station represents the cooperative spirit of modern society. Let's all pull together, with no envy, no backbiting, no malice, no mudslinging Let's all get to- gether and pull for the benefit of the whole. Let's develop the community spirit so that the individual self will be submerged and blended into the higher social life, where each of US works for all. In behalf of all the railroads l now dedicate this Terminal to all your people and to all of your interests and your well fare"
 Ackert Is Called On.
 C. H. Ackert of the Southern was the next speaker. ''The Southern railway is proud of this depot" he said. We are glad to see the people turn out this way to dedicate it. We thank you for your friendly spirit, and I tell you if the people
 
 do toward the railroads Birmingham will soon be the greatest city in the south
 '"The railroads have been having a hard time. some of them going into the hands of recivers as soon as they got into Ala bama. Their welfare is your welfare and if they could go hand in hand with the people they would prosper, but the peo- pie would prosper more" This was loud ly cheered. "I hope you will all enjoy the new terminal and nothing would please me better than to see you all go up to the window and buy tickets.' Major Hanson Next. Major Hanson was introduced as the grand old man of the railroads. On ac- count of the noise of the trains it was all most impossible to hear him, but he spoke with his usual vim and power. For the Central of Georgia road" he said, T desire to express profound thanks for this great demonstration. During the past several years, when public senti- ment has been for the destruction of the railroads. such occasions as these have been few and far between. But 1 tell you another time Is coming"
 After reciting something of the history of railroad prosecution, Major Hanson de- clared that the railroads ask nothing from the governors, the legislatures, the rail- road commissions and the national Con- gress but simple justice. This God-given right embodied in the constitution of our country, has been withheld from the railroads of Alabama" he said He said that every railroad had the right to realize per cent dividends from its properties, and he spoke enthusiastically of a time coming when the public would realize that 1t takes money for expan- sion, and that it Is just as important to 1 the people that companies sell bonds for L. A. |. You may curse and damn capital as the demagogue does, but you must look to the investor for the capital necessary to any forward step such this.' He explained that such expansion could | be brought about by an increase in rates so slight that the people would hardly I know 1t, and yet it would mean great l things for the state.
 Look at the situation in the Birming- | ham district" he said. Two years ago | every mine and every furnace was run ming to its utmost capacity. The nation was more prosperous than any other ] country in the history of the world, but ] the people were led to believe that they | were being oppressed and demagogueisn | led to stagnant condition which has | scathed every foot in the United States | In closing he said that he was glad l the railroads had done as much they | had and thanked them for the magnif- | cent demonstrations
 Then a voice cried: Give us Conner l nowv Quickly Major Hanson replied
 Peace to his ashes!" And he further de. l clared that the time will come when the l name of a railroad president in these l southern states will live in honorable | memory when their detractors are for | gotten"
 | Introduces Architect Mayre.
 President Parker referred to Maiol