The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-10-16
Dreams Are Realized In
Opening of Weh Building


this great city and l expect to live to
see many of them realized"
John L. Kaul. the president under
whose administration the money for the
building was raised, expressed his thanks
for the tribute paid him. He attributed
much of the credit for the building to the
finance and building committees, who did
excellent and sometimes hard work. He
told OF the Inception of the plan and how
they had determined to bring about a
situation when a building of the kind
would be possible and still be a paying
proposition.
Capt. Frank P. OBrien, when called
upon. raid: II am not dreamer and I
never have been one, but this building
seems more to me like a dream than any
thing else. Every time pass 1 look at
1t with establishment when I remember
that at the time put up the building OPP
posite this site was corn field surround
ed by rail fence.
This has been greater advertisement
to Greater Birmingham than any sky
scraper, and will do more than anything
else to spread a good impression about
Birmingham. I hope to live to see the
day when Birmingham will be the big
gest city in population in the SOUTH
Col. T. G. Bush defined the building as
the result of experience, enthusiasm and
cooperation.
He showed how enthusiasm and CO.
operation have wrought wonders for the
west, and believed that after while we
will put petty politics aside and work
rot only for Birmingham but for the good
of our great county and our great state.
Sterling A. Wood said: IF the Com
mercial club could turn out a Chamber
of Commerce like this, what ought the
Chamber of Commerce turn out? We have
here a great plant. which can accom-
plsh anything" He pointed out that in
dividual members will now have a larger
play of action
The Rev. DR.. J. T. Plunket was called
upon and responded very apty. He was
greeted with applause and cheered upon
the conclusion of his remarks. Il con-
graduate myself upon the great privi-
lege of looking into the faces OF such an
intelligent. progressive people," he said
He indorsed the sentiment expressed by
the other members, and as an example of
his being imbued with the Birmingham
spirit said that while coming to Birming-
ham he was asked his reason for going
to Birmingham and not to Atlanta. AT
lanta," / told him, Us butt upon and run
by hot air. Birmingham is built upon and
run by hot blast.
when I look upon this building SO
spacious and solidly constructed and beau
/ TRULY OrnumenIeQ, am reminded OF
| the quotation To him who can think
the unthinkable, to him who can see the
| invisible, to him who can hear the in
audible. to that man will come the i'm
possible l have noticed the self-confi-
dence of your people, and l see a grow
ing civic pride, and I believe that with
In short time to come you will gain
that perfect spirit of cooperation which
will make the city in all its possibilities
that which we want IL to be-
In closing, DIR. Plunket impressed upon
the members how important to a city's
development is the righteousness OF its
people.
w. w. Crawford said: IT believe that
this is the awakening which will uplift
Birmingham in Its business interests as
well as it's citizenship. The building is
the greatest in the south and there should
be nothing but success in the future path
of our organization"
]. d. Collins, president Of the Board
of Trade, said that the building is one
of which everyone In Greater Birming-
ham should be proud, shat it is looked
to its builders. DR.. J. S. Gillespie con-
sidered the building another evidence of
the greatness of this wonderful city of
ours" and DR.. Wikle, mayor of Annis-
ton, said that he had caught a little
of the Birmingham spirit and hoped to
get home with it.
The meeting then adjourned to the
cafe on the seventh floor, where sand
witches and punch were served and
social housewarming followed.