The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-02-12


demonstrated and generally recognized
| truth.
What has proven good for other pro-
gressive cities must be good for Birming-
ham. What other cities have of agencies
effective for raising the standard of eiti-
zenship, Birmingham must have, too.
II desire to call your attention to the
fact that, of such cultural agencies. a
good public library offers the most i'm
mediate hope. And 1 would impress upon
you the Importance Of united effort on
the part of our membership in securing
for our too-commercial city the right sort
of public library.
"A library which shall be a reservoir
of information from which professional
men. business men. scholars, mechanics,
artisans. laboring men and students may
draw without fail that which they need
in the business Of living
| "A library which shall be to the whole
people an agency for general culture and
inspiration.
"A library which shall furnish to all
that innocent recreation that literally re
creates US and send us about the bust
ness of life with renewed powers.
"A library which shall furnish quarters
for club meetings, lecture courses. art
|
the cultural interests of the city and be-
coming q veritable temple of the people.
such library comprehends the right
sort of book collection, the right sort of
building. equipment and service, and the
right sort of support.
President Sterling A. Wood, in his
inaugural address in 1907, very eloquently
urged the same question, and 1t is today
still more pressing responsibility and
LII. Oh +ofrn hold f,f
ageously and discharge with credit to
| ourselves.
900 Club"
Birmingham needs producers of wealth.
It needs not only an increased payroll,
but a consistent payroll. To supply these
needs small and diversified industries are
Indispensable. A city that is dependent
upon few lines of manufacture is sub
ject to sudden reverses of fortune. A
city that is the home of diversified manu-
facture carries an insurance against panic
and financial disaster.
THE need of Birmingham in this par
ticular has long been recognized. To MI
L. Sewer is due the credit of having sug-
gested a practical method of encourag-
ing the location of small industries here.
The 800 club, which is to have capital
of at least 100000, is an organization
that will extend practical aid to new in
dustries and should prove of definite and
considerable value in the upbuiding or
this community.
This plan has attracted favorable at
tention in many other cities and num-
Der of organizations along the same lines
are being formed elsewhere. Every man
in Birmingham, who is able, should be-
come a subscriber to the 500 club
Merchants and Manufacturers
aH
work being done by the Merchants and
Manufacturers association, an organ
ization affiliated with this body.
Questions of freight rates, classi-
fcatIons, over charges and credits are
being successfully handled by this as
ISOLATION and cordial friendly relations
have been established between the rail'
roads and shippers. It's AFFAIRS are pc
ing handled by a board of directors
composed of our best business men. Il
is a most beneficial organization atstht
disposal of the members of this cham
Der and / recommend that you MAKE
free use of 1t.
"One of our progressive retail firms
published last year a card calendar
upon which was printed statement
the sentiment of which I heartily sub
scribe to. 1t reads as follows:
Don't knock, Birmingham If YOU
stay here. If you feel like knocking
this city, don't stay. There are Il
trains north and east each day. Their
are 16 trains south and west each day
Mileage is cheapest. It's up to you
'If we have any knockers in Biz
mingham I recommend that the cham
Der appoint committee on knocker
, and provide fund for the purchas
of mileage.
: in conclusion, let me urge that W
put aside every hindrance to our pro
gress and development.
IF we encounter selfishness and In
tolerance crush them. Selfishness an
intolerance never made a great mar
built up a great business or built
great city. We are pledged to do eac
of ese things.
Let us therefore go forward wit
our work with unanimity and enthusi
asm keeping our eyes steadfastly upo
the goal---a glorious Birmingham"
Chairman SEWER Reports
Mr.. Ford then took charge OF tn
meeting and called for the report o
the Five Hundred club with L.. Sevie
as chairman. Mr.. Sewer said: