The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-10-14
Commercial and Industrial As Sociation Has Short But
 Fruitful Session
MOL TON AGAIN PRESIDENT
 BABE ELECTED SECRE TARY
Unanimous Sentiment Is to Effect that Association Has Great Work Before 1t and Must Maintain
 It's Prestige.

The Alabama Commercial and Indus trial association was reorgsnized yester- day afternoon and T. H. Motion elected president for the coming year. Nine com mercial organizations of the state were represented and great enthusiasm for CO., operative and united effort was aroused. J. B. Babb was selected as secretary; Frank Y. Evans, treasurer. and F. c. Blair vice-president.
 The officers were instructed to revise the bylaws and submit them to the com mercial organizations of the state for their approval. Mobile was selected as the next place of meeting, the time to be set by the officers. A resolution of thanks for city, Chamber of Commerce and press was adopted and shortly after o'clock the most business-like, short-winded, in- telllgent convention that has been held in Birmingham for long time adjourned i to take in the sights at the state fair.
 Among Those Present. When the convention was called to order at noon the following delegates were on hand: NJ. T. Ormond. Mayor w. M Fauk of Tuscaloosa, H. M. Cook of Bessemer, E. L. Huey of Bessemer, N. NJ McGehee, Tuscaloosa; M. S. Gilbert, Bessemer; Frank Nelson, Jr., Birming- ham, F. Y. Anderson, Birmingham; J. B. Babb. Birmingham; M. L. Henderson, land and industrial agent of the South ern, of Mobile; c. P. Pratt, Pell City; W. P. Gum, Bessemer; T. H. Motion, Birm- ingham; J. W. Slbley, Birmingham; j. A. Maymore, Selma; A s. Preston, Jas per; J. & Moore, Jasper; F. Y. Evans, Jasper; c. J. HIldreth, New Decatur; William Hood, Birmingham; J. L. Clay Selma; T. G. Blair, Tuscaloosa; Eugene H Hyman, Montgomery; John Craft, Mo- bile.
 Notion Presides.
 T. H. Motion, who was last president of the association, called the meeting to order and said:
 "Gentlemen-The Alabama Commercial l and Industrial association was for a num- | Der of years an organization of force l and effect It had an influence for good,
 and was so recognized. Its meetings
 were all attended by the leading business
 men of the state, and I was always glad
 to see present United States Senators, Congressman and members of the legis- l lature there to get in touch with busl- l ness men and thereby gain information and ideas as to the needs of our state. | This Organization proved of value in the i development and advancement of our 1 commercial and industrial interests and | all other lines of business. It played it's part in molding public opinion on | questions that concerned the welfare of our people Through the influence of this association some legislation was en- acted and some repealed. If my memory serves me correctly, this association was about the first organization to memo rialize the legislation to make it unlawful | for anyone to conduct what is known as l bucket-shops in Alabama; 1t was at the | Gadsden meeting that @ committee was l appointed to make war on the bucket l shop business At the session of the leg 1 islature following, the law was created and the worst species of gambling ever engaged in was done away with in Ala | bama. It had been a curse to our state since the civil war.
 One Big Accomplishment. "It was at the Selma meeting that plans were laid by this association to make a fight for the repeal of the act 1 taxing foreign corporations lending | money in Alabama. It was a hard fight. but we finally won, and today man in Alabama can borrow money as cheaeply as it can be borrowed in almost any other | state.
 If this association had never accomp- | lished any more than the enactment of this one law and the repeal of the other, 1 it would not have lived in vain. ! Such an organization is desirable, and l l might say, essential. It should never | indorse or advocate the candidacy of 1 any man, but stand firm for policies that affect the business interests of Ala l bama.
 You all know that this association has had no meeting for two years; why, I ! do not undertake to explain. At the last ! meeting, held in Selma, the city of Mo- bile was selected as the meeting place for the year 1908. The time was never ! fixed or the call made by President ] Forbes.
 "A few months ago l, as first vice-pres- ident of the association, received the res- | ignation of President Forpes, and also
 the resignation of MT. Dave. the secre. tary.
 We are here today for the purpose of 1 considering whether or not new life shall | be put in the association and its useful ness continued. If this is not to be dOR | let us disband; but in doing so, be niih0- 1 full of the fact that the association did | serve a purpose.
 If the latter course is to be pursued | then l want to say that 1t is a reflection | on the business men of Alabama It will | show that they are not harmonious and | progressive enough to unite and cooper l ate for the common good.
 | "I feel my inability to inspire you tc | reorganize and strengthen the organiza- | tion, and shall hope for such inspirato. to come from the gentlemen on the floor 1 who know agree with me as to the gooc l that has been accomplished in the past | and may be achieved Tn the future.
 Each Must Do Duty. | There is sufficient number of com mercial organization In Alabama to pake 1 this association permanent and grea success, if each will only do it's duty. In. | formatio obtained ana the inspiration tc do more and better for yourself and the state Is increased by attending thes,