The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
DEFINITE STEPS TAKEN IN
 INTEREST OF THE BOND ISSUE
Executive Committee Appointed At Yesterday Mass Meeting To Work for the Cause-Some More
 Expressions

The business men of the city held a mass meeting yesterday morning at II o'clock in the auditorium of the Cham Der of Commerce following the call, of President Richard w. Massey of that organization, expressed themselves as unanimously in favor of the bond is- sue as proposed by the city commis- sioners, and took vigorous and decisive steps toward carrying the issue at the election set forNJuly 8.
 The gathering was called to order promptly at Il o'clock by President Massey. who congratulated the au- dience on the large attendance and then stated the object of the meet ing. He held it to be the general opin- ion that the bond issue would carry at the election July if all those inter- ested would turn out and cast their votes, but he assured the meeting that the opposition was going to put up an organized fight on the bond issue and showed them why 1t was necessary that the advocates of the question should likewise get together.
 On the motion of Sydney J. Bowie, President Massey and Secretary Babb were designated respectively as chair man and secretary pro tenn of the meet ing. The organization thus effected, W. W, Crawford, president of the Amer ican Trust and Savings bank, was called on to address the meeting on the sub ject of the bond issue.
 Can't Afford It
 Mir. Crawford, at whose suggestion the mass meeting had been called, drew attention to the fact that the bond is- sue as proposed by the commission CTS was purely & business proposition before the people of Birmingham and stated that the business men of the city could not afford to see the proposal fall merely because those who advocated the issuance of bonds did not interest themselves in the election. He then suggested that one influential energetic man be selected from every ward to work up the voters, and further advised that an executive committee of 10 be appointed by the chair to look after the details of organizing the supporters of the bond Issue.
 E,x-Mayor Melville Drennen followed MT. Crawford and stated that he had al ways been in favor of the commission form of government, and expressed his firm belief in the wisdom of the gov ernor's appointments of the Birmingham commission. Speaking with reference to the campaign, he made a motion that the chair appoint a committee of three in each ward who should be instructed to electioneer for the bond issue. The mo- tion was adopted.
 On the suggestion of Sidney J. Bowie. which was put in the form of a. motion afterward, each man at the meeting was requested to rise to his feet and volun- teer to give his hearty assistaince with such service as an individual as could be rendered in the bond election. The sig nifcation thus asked for was unanimous ly given.
 "If We Do Our Duty
 -."I haven't any doubt that the bond Issue will carry If we do our duty said MT. Bowie, and I have no doubt that we shall all do our duty"
 The next speaker was Capt. John G. Smith. "Gentlemen," he said, i've want to get together as my friend Sid Bowie suggests. That's the way we used to get together when Sid and I were boys. If we turn down the commissioners in this their first request, 1t will be a sad day for Birmingham.
 Following the remarks of Captain Smith, w. R. Stewart of Ensley ad- dressed the gathering and gave every as- surance that the voters of his town would IIa suggested that Dr. E. w. Averyt be ap- pointed chairman of the Ensey commit tee, who would look after the interests of the commissioners before and at the time of the election.
 As a suggestion Ben F. Barbour pro- posed that the chair, in appointing the executive committee, include in it's mem bership representatives from the labor organizations, and gave as his reason the necessity for enlightening the labor ing people on the subject of the bond issue, which, he added, was we'll under stood by the business people.
 Committee Appointed
 The following central executive commit tee was appointed by President Mas sey: W. NJ. Drennen, chairman s. J. Bowie, Andy Marx, Eugene Fies, F. B. Fowlkes, F. D. McArthur T. c. McDon- aid. pr. E. W. Averyt, Joe Alper, John H. Adams, R. A. Porter, R. H. Baugh w. J. Adams, Joe Wieferich Dr. N. A. Barrett, J. B. Gibson, Dr. George w. Brown, E. l.. Smith and Dr. w. c. Gewin.
 rr,C CnNEunENCE JN