The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-12-07
Eminent Men Speak At Meet
lngof Commercial Congress
In Washington
HOPEFUL NOTE SOUNDED
BY ALL The SPEAKERS
Ambassador Jusserand Tells the Con-
qress That the Future of the
South Is in the Hands of
the Southern People.

Washington, December 6-The opening
days session of the Southern CONNER
cial congress ended this evening with two
illustrated lectures. The first was on
1.-The Good Roads Movement of the
South given by J. e. Pennypacker,
chief of the office of public roads, while
the other was delivered by Claude N.
Bennett of Washington on Opportunity
Latent in the Panama Canal" Brinton
N. Davis, president of the commercial
club of Louisville, KY, was chairman
of the meeting. The convention will end
tomorrow with the election of officers.
The meeting is the first annual affair
OF its kind and prominent speakers ad-
dressed the delegates who represented
practically every section of the south.
The tenor of the speeches was for the
commercial ACKNOWLEDGMENT of that Sec
tion of the union south of the Mason and
Dixon line, through harmonious work
and the encouragement of new settlers.
Much of the time tomorrow will be de-
voted to pointing out the neglected bus
iness and agricultural opportunities of the
south.
Nagel Presides.
The opening session today was presided
over by Secretary Nage of the depart
ment of commerce and labor. Among
the distinguished visitors present were
Ambassadors Bryce of Great Britain and
Jueserand OF France, also Thomas l..
Field of London. who spoke on the sub
ject Of Opportunity for Southern Propa-
s;anda In the British -fsles si,d Europe
This speech followed the Introductory
address made by John NJ. Parker, pres
ident of the Southern Commercial con-
gress.
Secretary Nagel in his address urged
that the states go as far as possible
in the development of their resources and
then call upon the national government
for aid. He assured the assemblage that
1t would be his pleasure to give what
ever help in that direction might be with
in his power
President Parker in his address flat
1y opposed indiscriminate immigration.
He showed that the Southern CONNER
cial congress was for the hastened de-
velopment of the south along lines that
aimed at national strength and national
weakness.
Ambassadors Speak.
Ambassadors Bryce and Jusserand each
loudly applauded. Mr.. Bryce spoke Of the
great Importance of cooperation between
the railroads and the farmers of the
south and the need of increased trans
portation facilities. He said that from
his observations there should be no ap-
prehension of any political conditions
arising which will hamper the south.
With reference to the negro the ambas-
sador said that 1t was the opinion of
I'D =. AaI ,af fl,1 \
the education of the negro for eco
nomical purposes was one OF the best
things for that section and that 1t was
important that they be educated in habits
of industry.
Mr.. Jusserand told the congress that
the future of the south was in the hands
of the southerners. He spoke of his WIS.,
it's to the south and how he was i'm
pressed with the natural resources, re-
marking that the problem of the south
could be solved because of the wealth
of these resources. He paid a high
tribute to the geniality, hospitality and
high-mindedness of the southern people.
Seeking English Capital.
Mr. Field, although designated as from
London, is native of North Carolina.
and in his address said he was known in
the British capital as a staunch American
from the south. He pointed out the pos
sibilities for attracting European money
to the south and declared he was conf
dent that there rarely has been time
when English capital was more unset
tied at home, and more inclined to seek
employment in other countries where con-
ditons are secure and investments salts
factory. Mr.. Field also was of the opin-
ion that there were. q great many Eng
lishmen Of some means dissatisfied with
conditions at home who could be in
duced to avail themselves of opportuni-
ties In the south. The speaker dwelt al
length upon the vast quantity of cotton
produced In the south and of its import
ant relation to the commerce of the
world.
At the afternoon session the first speak
er was Secretary Of War Dickerson. He
spoke Of the resources Of the south and
paid a tribute to the southern states
and promised his aid in every possible
commerce of these states
q. Grosvenor Dave followed with ar
address on the port opportunities Of the
south. He pointed out the many natural
gateways in the south for commerce from
foreign ports to the United States
He said there were q ports with q
feet Of water and in this connection pre-.
scented an array Of statistics.
Director John Barrett Of the Interna.
tional Bureau of American Republics, fol
lowed with an address on the opportuni-
ties for southern trade in the South
American republics. a