The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-06
.BABB ADDRESSES
HARDWARE DEALERS
Urges Vigorous and Persistent
Advertising Campaign
NEED CLOSE COMMUNION
Concerted Action on Part of Business
Men Is Most Important Matter.
Speaks of the states Vast
Resources
NEED CLOSE COMMUNION

Babb of the Chamber of Commerce be-
fore the Alabama Retail Hardware deal
ers last night was considered one of the
happiest expressions of Alabamas prog
ress and her present needs. In very
few words he spoke volumes and called
for agitation in the interests of more
advertising, proper effort for immigrants,
and diversified industries. He said:
HE who darts the javein all day
will sometimes hit the target" I have
been hurting javelins for some time in
the interest of an all-Alabama move
ment, and I intend to dart a few to-
night with the hope that one at least
will score a bulls eye
No man can read the history of Ala
bama without being thrilled by the story
OF her sturdy pioneers. by the splendor
of her ante-bellum civilization, by the
valor and chivalry of her sons on mar
tial fields and by the indomitable, heroic
and patient spirit shown by her people
in surrounding the terrors and trials
that followed in the wake of civil strife
But while the devastation of war and
the overturnng of a social order were
evils of high degree, they were less from
a material viewpoint from that entailed
upon the state by the loss of half
million of her citizens who have emf
grated and given of their brain and
Drawn to the upbuilding of other COM
monwealths.
For long while Alabama was pros
trate, but she has risen now in the
glory of a new rament. Happily, the
clouds have passed away, her sorrows
are but memories and the tide of emigra-
ton is at low ebb. The day of golden
opportunity has dawned. From field and
mine, from factory and mart arises the
hum of industry, a symphony of peo-
pies progress.
Richly lowered as Alabama has been
By nature, continued progress depends
upon the energy and genius of her peo-
pie.
Every state in the union is moving
forward at a rapid pace. Invention, i'm
proved methods of manufacturing, new
methods of agriculture. increased devel-
opment of resources ampler and more
facile means of transportation are add
ing to the nations store at a stupen-
deus rate. If Alabama is not to be
aggard in the contest for wealth and
power she must be stirring. Satisfac-
ton is an advance courier of the army
OF general stagnation. Alabama cannot
afford to be satisfied with things as they
are, but must reach out into the field of
further achievement.
State5s Wonderful Resources
In variety and plenttude OF resource
no other region excels Alabama. wall
might be built around the state exclud-
ing ingress and yet the people of Ala
bama could secure every necessity of life
and enjoy almost every luxury known
to men. That we are importing large
amount of necessities and Injuries is not
the fault of nature, which has been
generous. Alabama cannot come into her
own until she begins to use her own
to best advantage.
The chief concern of those interested
in the development of Alabama must be
the promotion of agriculture. Consider
able progress has been made in an edit
catonal way through the cooperation
of the United States department of agri-
culture with the state department. The
farmer is getting more out of his land.
and, thanks to the high cost of living,
he is getting more for his products.
But we need in Alabama not only bet
ter farmers, but more farmers. There
are several million acres in this state
suitable for tillage that never feel a
plow. There are thousands of farmers
In the central west and northwest dis
satisfied with their condition who would
OF this commonwealth.
The problem is to bring to the at
tention of these farmers the possibilities
aw aiting them in Alabama. Nothing ap-
probable can be done by the individual
to attract immigration. The state de-
and natural agency to make our agricul-
tural opportunities known to the outside
world.
This department. however is powerless
unless a sufficient sum of money is pro-
vided to perfect an organization for pub
licty and promotion. 1t is only neces-
sary to tell the truth about Alabama
and to tell it loud enough to be heard
throughout the land to attract thousands
of desirable and substantial farmers.
The campaign should not only be in
diligently and vigorously waged but
must be persistently waged Advertising
Ala bama should be a fixed policy of the
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