The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-12
BABB REVIEWS
CHAMBERS WORK
FOR THE psf YEAR
Acuuirement of New Home Was
Probably Greatest Feature
During Twelve Months
TAFT CAME TWICE
DURING THE YEAR
Formation of 800 Club Promises to
Mean Much for City's Future.
New NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
For the Year

In Secretary Joseph B. Babb's own splen-
did style he reported last night to the
| Chamber of Commerce all the happen
ings of the past year which have had
part in the greatness of Birmingham. His
| annual report is in detail everything one
| could expect but is also full of that
virulent spirit of enthusiasm which has
dominated the activities of the club dur
| ing the past year. Here it is in full:
To the Chamber of Commerce:
The year 1909 was a notable one in the
history of the Chamber of Commerce
and the city of Birmingham. The Cham
Der of Commerce came into being and
| in September moved into its 100000 home
The new building has attracted attention
all over. the United States and many in
ouiries have been received seeking infor-
nation relative to the building and the
manner in which it was erected.
The new home, the Capitalization or
the dreams of years, has proven all that
its promoters ever hoped. 1t has given
the Chamber of Commerce stability and
dignity that no houseless organization
can ever possess. The new building al
fords opportunity for public service as
has been exemplified by the gathering
| therein of many commercial organizations
whose work is in line with that of the
| Chamber of Commerce. The directors OF
the Chamber of Commerce have set aside
the whole seventh floor of the building
for the purpose of making an exhibit of
the agricultural and mineral products or
the district as well as those products
! handled by merchants and agents doing
business in Birmingham.
Under the auspices of the Chamber of
Commerce a bill was introduced In the
present legislature and duly passed en-
abling boards of revenue and courts of
county commissioners to appropriate not
| to exceed $3.50 per year for the purpose
of installing and maintaining exhibits OF
the agricultural and mineral resources of
their respective counties
| A committee from the Chamber of Com
merce after the passage of this bill, APP
neared before the Board of Revenue to
| urge that the authority granted by this
act be exercised to maintain an eXhlblt
] of Jefferson county's resources IN the
| exhibit room of the Chamber of Com
MERGE The Board of Revenue, with char-
| acteristic patriotism and public spirit
granted this request. The Jefferson coun-
tv exhibit is now duly installed. rms
| matter has been presented to the courts
of county commissioners of Walker ana
| ST Clair counties and assurances nave
| been received from these couhtes lnal
exhibits will be authorized. In additon
many firms and corporations have agreed
| to make exhibits, a result largely due 10
| piacn
| presentation of the proposition by MI
| Robert Jemison, Jr., who was appointed
| Inv the chamber as a member or COM
mittee to cooperate with the secretary
IN t1,is work. When these exhibits are
| In MACE birmingham will have perma-
nent exposition every day in the year tnat
| will attract thousands OF visitors ana
N, ;oeo,.,,, our own people of the posi-
bilities and achievements OF TINS district
Legislation
| rha chamber of Commerce during
| the past year rendered Nalua PIE anu
Conscientious service in promoting the
| rim fathered by the Hon. Jere
| r. King to extend the city linn
it's Of Birmingham. The members or
the. chamber of Commerce are 1amlllar
| will, the successful passage of TINS Dill
and of the fact that it has been de-
| clared a law by the supreme court
of Alabama. This act which Went into
| effect on January / will enable Biz
| min CHAN, to show a pNpulation of at
| least $4,000 The census of 1910 Will
| show that Birmingham has increased
| in population numerically more than
| any city in the south and that 1t mas
| the largest proportionate increase OF
any city of its class in the unlte~
| States
| The chamber of Commerce actively
| Iaf
| twain and was successful in its efforts.
Jefferson county is an asset that is
| valuable not only to this great in
dustrial section, but to the state of
! Ala bama The census bureau uses the
/ county as a unit and it Will be an
| inca1culable misfortune If the prestige
of jefferson county should be de-
| stroyed.
Membership
| Under the leadership of President
| Nelson. the Chamber of Commerce in
creased its membership during the past
year by ESQ. The so long coveted 1000
mark of membership now seems in
| sight.
Entertainment
| The Chamber of Commerce had the
distinction OF having the President of
the United States twice its guest dur
| ing the year 1909. The first time the
| than few minutes in the city and
promised to come back, promise he
redeemed. Upon the occasion of his
second visit his entertainment was
made a notable event in the annals of
Birmingham. The Chamber of Com
merce assisted In the entertainment of
the great laymen's convention, repre-
senting a world wide movement. A
notable banquet was rendered tn
the occasion of their convention in Bir-
mingham. The chamber also assisted
in the entertainment of a number OF
lesser conventions.
The headquarters of the Farmers
union was retained for Birmingham by
the Chamber of Commerce during the
past year and the rent of that organ
ization was paid by this body
Judge e. III. Gary, president of the
United States Steel corporation was ex-
tended an invitation by the Chamber
of Commerce, which he accepted. He
visited Birmingham and while not
formally entertained by the Chamber
of Commerce was the recipient of many
courtesies and attentions.
Fortunate Happening
| One of the most fortunate happen
| ings of the year was the revision OF
the selling price in this district of steel
| bars and steel plates. This fact was
| officially announced by the Tennessee
Coal, Iron and Railroad company in the
following terms: 1.-THE products of our
Bessemer rolling mill are being sold
| f, o. b. Bessemer for about 81 per
ton for steel bars and SO per ton
for steel plates less than steel bars and
steel plates can be delivered at that
point from Pittsburg. The difference
| of ii per ton is due to the fact that