The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-24
C. Talk

l
 That the two most marvellous ac- complishments by municipalities of the United States within the last decade were, in the opinion of Col. D. C. Col Her, director general of the San Diego exposition, Birmngham's phenomenal growth in population. as detailed in the last census, and the raising of s5,- 000, 900 by San Diego, city of 4O,005 inhabitants, for the purpose of the in> provement, advertisement and ag- grandizement of that city.
 According to Colonel Collier, the en- terprise of San Diego Is so remark able that in hearing him speak one is l impressed with the similarity which, his stories bear to those of the Arabian Nights.
 Tn the first place." stated he. san Diego is a comparatively small city the population being about 4O,00O. In order that its people might have wa ter to drink 1t was necessary for the city to go back into the hills for a distance of 40 miles to dam up noun tain streams. But handicaps of this nature were soon overcome and San Diego has now turned it's attention to even more difficult problems.
 People Subscribe S1,000,000
 "Only a short while ago the people of the city determined to hold an ex- position In celebration of the opening of the Panama canal. It was realized In the beginning that vast sum ot money would be required. What was done? By popular subscription s1O00,- 900 was raised. I would not be sur prised were I to learn that Birming- ham, city of 132.565 people, could nor raise by the same methods an equa! sum for the purpose of advertising it. self. And this is not to the shame of Birmingham. Few cities in the United States could do as much and it is prob able that but one city of 10000 would even attempt to accomplish what San Diego has already done to it's credit.
 With the raising of s1,000.00O by popular subscription, the people did not stop. San Diego bonded itself in the sum of $1,000,000. We are not afraid of the debt It will be paid back and by it's enterprise the city will have gained much in the opinion of the | world. With $2,000,0O0 on hand the naturally drift into society and environ | ments that would ultimately destroy their moral life. Here they will. find a. home
 
 1 for, cornfortab ble place to live a we'll chosen library, cheerful surround 1 ngs and clean high minded companions. l Last but not least they will enjoy the | companonship of men who will direct their moral and religious training; they | will absorb as part of their daily home life the lessons of the great command ments given to man for his future guid- ance at Mount Sinai
 ba inf of foo will be men of character. dependable men. men who can stand against the ad- | verse storms of life like the giant oai1e of the forest They will be men who are needed in every walk of life. men for banking houses, law offices, factories and railroads. They will be men who are honest, truthful and loyal, the men who build cities. govern states and save hut manity from itself.
 From this standpoint you are laying the cornerstone today of Birmingham 1 greatest business enterprise; you are placing the keystone Ito the arch of our moral. intellectual and industrial devel- opment. May the coming years prove that I am true prophet May the sue cess that is due to faithful work and honest endeavor forever be the reward oi this association. e
 T. H. Johnson Speaks
 At the conclusion Of MT. UndefWOod
 address, the meeting was turned over tt
 T. II. Johnson, chairman of the biilldinl committee, who made a few remark:
 along the line of the objects and pur , poses of the association. 'rhe associa I tion, said Mr.. Johnson seeks to de veop the three sides of mans nature . the physical. social and religious, and q! { they are developed it seeks to throV around him influences which may. lea' r him in the right direction It tries to givi ) him the right kind Of social influence. |, The audience adjourned to the exterio ' of the building. and the contents of tn f stone were placed in it. In 1t was depos
 tied copper box containing list of fh subscribers to the building fund. cop, of the constitution and bylaws Of th ! association, list of the campaign com | mitteees and campaign literature. a lis
 of officers and directors of the associa I tion, list of members of the associa , ton, a list of the pastors of the city, cor ! ies of the daily papers. copies of religion Q papers and current silver coins. s The meeting was dismissed with oraye ] by Bishop J. H. Mccoy.