The Washington herald., 1909-07-11

Atlanta, Ga, July 10.-Like the United
States Congress, the Southern Secretaries
Association found more 10 do than the
time allotted would allow, and an extra
night session was held last evening 10
close up matters before separating. The
session began after one Of the social
functions given by the. citizens Of Atlanta
and convened at 9 o'clock.
At this session the report on resolu-
tiOns was received. the kinks in it irOned
out. and an hour spent in general ex-
preston Of good fellowship and personal
Impressions about the results Of the con-
vention. II was the universal opinion
that much more had been accomplished
by the delegates than had been expected.
and that the convention had been spe-
cially fruitful in good results.
Fourteen States in Line.
This was the second convention OF the
secretaries Of the commercial bodies OF
the Southern States. Fourteen OF the
sixteen States regarded as the South
were represented by one or more secre-
taries. In addition. visitors we're pres
ent from Cincinnati and from Chicago.
The membership OF the convention was
ffty-ive. The meetings were scheduled
for Taft Hall in the Auditorium. a fine
new building Of which the city Of Atlanta
Is Justly proud. but only one session was
held there on account OF the distance
OF the building from the center OF the
city. the remaining sessions being IN the
rooms Of the Chamber Of Commerce in
the Empire Building, near the hotels
where the delegates were stopping.
Much. very much, Of the enjoyment OF
the meeting and the comfort Of every
body was due TO the personal courtesy
and efforts Of W. G. Cooper. secretary or
the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and
his Office force.
The convention received a good deal OF
impetus by what may be termed the At
lanta spirit. Atlanta is a hustnhg town,
and body OF men cannot long be there
without becoming more or less imbued
with the spirit Of the people who have
built one of the finest cities in the South,
and are enterprising and energetic to a
man
For example. several OF the Atlanta
miIIionaires. bankers, and big men Of the
city. including the mayor. did not think
it beyond their ideas Of courtesy 10 come
10 the meetings and hob-nob with the
secretaries and see that they were prop
erlv entertained and looked after while
in the city.
Gibbs Open Their Doors.
Every club in the town opened its doors
10 the delegates, and all were made at
home and given d taste Of the far-famed
Southern hospitality. The delegates were
entertained at the beautiful home OF the
mayor. during q storm. This home. which
Mayor Maddox and his wife have named
''Woodhaven," is IN the center Of sew
enty-ive acres, about nine miles from
Atlanta To the natural trees which were
on the ground several years ago when
Mayor Maddox. then a banker. bought il.
have been added the arts Of the land
scape gardener until It IS now a wide.
homelike. restfUl place. full or natural
beauty, surrounded by shade. and peace
ful with n happy home life within.
The delegates were entertained at the
Automobile Club after the call upon the
mayor. The following night the dele
gates were entertained and fed at the
Drivers Club in Piedmont Park. which
is now being changed into a handsome
ciTy and residence park from the old
site Of the Cotton Exposition held there
several years ago. The secretaries could
not have been treated better had they
been the guests Of kings than they
were by the hospitable people OF At
lanta. This may be one OF The ways
Atlantans have Of advertising their city.
but If It IS It IS gracefully concealed,
and about as effective as anything that
could be devised. Then, too, there was
nothing elaborate or out OF the ordinary
in the entertainment Food was plain
and plentiful, social Intercourse was
democratic to the limit OF simplicity, and
even the bashfuI man found II easy TO
mingle with those courteous Atlantans.
Programme Was Interesting.
The programme OF the meeting was
nicely arranged to add interest to the
convention as It advanced. On the open
ing day the delegates were welcomed
to the city BY Asa G. Gambler, presi-
dent OF the Atlanta Chamber OF Com
merce That welcome was not mere
words for although Mr. Gambler is a
busy man. banker. the owner Of the
biggest Office building in the city, and
leading spirit of so many business inter
ests that he has only a general idea of
the amount of his annual income, Yet
Mr. Gambler was at some OF the meet
ings and at all the social functions. max
ing friends and looking after every
bcdy's wants
Mayer Maddox also had hand IN TIE
welcome 20 Atlanta. making a capital ad-
dress. and afterward in numberless ways
giving evidence that the secretaries were
really welcome TO the Georgia city.
Responses were made 70 the Atlantans,
led by President Royster. of the conven-
tion. After these preliminaries two ad-
dresses were made. one upon cO-opera-
ton between the commercial secretaries.
by George 5. Weaver. Of Montgomery,
Ala. and one by G. Grosvenor Dave.
managing director OF the Southern Com
rnercial Congress. In the addresses the
slogan Of the convention was fairly an
nounced: For the increased prosperity
of every place in the South through the
increased efficiency Of the commercial sec
retary."
Discuss Good Roads.
The afternoon session of Wednesday.
with a new setting in the chamber OF
commerce rooms, which in itself had the
effect Of placing everybody more at ease
than they could be amid the big sur
roundings Of the Auditorium, was devoted
TO the subject OF good roads. Two ad-
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