The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-05-23
FIRE UNDERWRITERS OF STATE CONVENE Two Sessions Were Held
 Yesterday BIG BARBECUE TODAY Bennett Will Make Address Follow ing Spread at East Lake-Dem-
 onstration Run Will Be Given Today

An old-fashioned southern barbecue at East Lake, a test run by the fire depart ment to Morris and Twentieth stret, an address by Chief A. V. Bennett, the wide ly known fire expert of Birmingham, and a sightseeing ride about Birmingham will in a small measure constitute today's en- tertainment of the Alabama Underwriters association which convened for the fif- teenth annual session yesterday morning.
 At 10 O clock the fun will begin for the insurance experts when the fire stations of Chief Bennett will make test run to Morris avenue and Twentieth street. That test will be for the purpose of demon- strating to the visitors how perfectly easy it is for the Birmingham fire department to reach given point quickly and com bat any confagration that may have broken out there. They will be told quiet lv that when the nine automobile chem ical wagons arrive even the records of the present equipment will be outstripped.
 The address of Chief Bennett at East Lake will follow the barbecue and at that session the annual election of officers will take place Chief Bennett will speak of the fremen's work and that cooperative with the Underwriters association. h. asmuch as Chief Bennett is widely known and considered one of the best fire chiefs in America his remarks will be received with great interest
 At 10 o'clock yesterday morning Pres ident Glennon of the association rapped for order in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium Facing him at the time was perhaps 250 expert underwriters, of whom the local men constituted a majority. About 15o visitors are in the witty from various points in Alabama to attend the meeting here.
 Address of Welcome
 President Culpepper Exum of the Board of Commissioners extended the gathering a formal welcome to the city. He said their membership was composed of some of the best men in the state and he was decidedly well pleased to have the honor of welcoming them to Birmingham and wishing the association successful meet ing here.
 McLane Triton of Pell City replied on behalf of the visitors to the felicitations of
 President Exum. He said it was a source of particular qualification that he was re- ouested to answer so distinguished a citi- zen in replying to his remarks of greet ing MT. Hilton spoke glowingly of Bir- mingham, complimented the commission, asked few pointed questions about things here and then formally thanked
 President Exum for his expression ot welcome and hospitality.
 Association Prosperous | After the addresses the gathering rushed ! immediately into business. The reports oi various officers were read to the members | of the association and they disclosed | the fact that the association has grown in | membership, has funds on han dand is gaining in popularity and worth as the
 days pass. The association has been or
 ganized in this state many years and in reviewing the history of the work
 President Glennon spoke highly of the accomplishments and also Of the brigh'
 outlook for the future.
 The reports made yesterday all con cerned particularly the topics of special interest to the association and were read and filed by the association without formality.
 For the work here President Glennon yesterday appointed the following com mittees who will report to the session al ast Lake to be held this afternoon. Committee on Presidents Address-R F. Manly, Clyde Hendricks, M. H. Caw- thorne.
 Nominations-W. F. Fitts. Henry Hiden, T. E. Pride.
 Secretary-treasurer's Report-H. G. Sel- bels. J. R. Jones, Lamar Penny Resolutions-McIane Triton, J. H. Will son, G. R. Ladd.
 Entertainments
 After the meeting yesterday morning the members adjourned to the Turn Verein, where an elegant Bohemian lunch was served. At this affair at least 25O visitors and local men were present and it was pronounced exceedingly, enjoyable. The members there were furnished with base ball tickets, but one J. Plucius interfered and the delegates visited the office buildings and went around the city dur ing the intermission between showers. Last night the delegates gathered again l for business session at 8 o'clock. How ever, there was nothing of public in- terest which transpired The committees had gotten in some work and various
 technical papers were presented to those on hand. The addresses dealt more par l ticularly with those topics of interest to the insurance business and carried very little interest for the averaQe lavman.