The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-04-15
ANN|STON DOING WONDERED LII WORK How Fine Farm Land Helps
 the City J. H. HOADLEY'S BOOST President Turner of the Chamber of Commerce Is a Booster of the Conservative, Convinc-
 ing Temperament
J. H. HOADLEY'S BOOST
pv WALTER HARPER


 by itself
 When words fail, the optimistic Joseph, who is in some respects not unlike the Joseph that journeyed down into Egypt on one historic occasion, the community or interest that is responsible for that loss of speech may pat itself on the back and vote an addition issue of bonds or prepare for any other coup 1t may have in mind
 About a month ago Joseph and his friend Cecil A. Grenfell were in Admission and were shown the town by it's enterpris- ing citizens. At the end of the trip they were standing on the broad veranda of the Anston Country club looking over the pulsating city, the fertile valleys and the velvety blue of the surrounding hills.
 MT. Grenfell protested after moment of overpowering admiration: Why, Hoadley, you did not tell me half"
 Joseph replied. blushing: "No, my mod esty restrained me-
 Joseph and Cecil are coming again. The citizens of Anniston are preparing to re- in rceiving all boosters.
 The people of Anniston are all boosters. They have something to boost about.
 A number of years ago I drifted through Anniston Magnificent brick buildings stared down at me in absolute vacancy Windows were shattered and creaking eoors stood ajar. Empty halls and cor riders picked up, echoed and re-echoed the starting footsteps of an occasional
 -tr lie and avenues. Fennel and nutgrass grew between the brick and stone pavements on the sidewalks of all the principal streets and avenues; silent factories and machine shops had laid aside their girdles of smoke and stood like so many tomb stones in an industrial graveyard.
 It was a sight to make strong men weep. And strong men did weep under the muf fled moan of hungry women and children.
 But this was not a local condition. Other proud cities were languishing just as Annston. The scourge was nation wide. Annston suffered no more than any other industrial center.
 But the awakening came in due season There is hardly a possibility of it's recur renee. not in Anniston. at any rate.
 The fennel has been cut and worn from the streets by the friction of marvellous activity. Broken windows have been re- placed with plate glass and oil has linn bered the hinges of the doors. The hollow echoes in halls and corridors have been drowned by the clink of coin and the hum of industrial activity. The factories swarm with contented bread-winners and the roar of vitalized machinery.
 Another and most important element of material support has been more firmly established to further fortify and assure the permanent prosperity of the town and community.
 Anniston is surrounded by large reaches of the finest agricultural lands of north Alabama. To the south and east Is Choc- colocco valley, one of the finest corn belts in the state. Just to the north is the famous Alexandria valley, the seat of royal aristocracy in ante-bellum times.
 These sections have undergone a most wonderful transformation during the half century since the war. Method, thrift and individual effort have established new era of broader prosperity. Large plantations have been sub-divided, taken over by small individual farmers, and they are re-establishing a glory that is far more glorious than that that existed when a few men enjoyed the fruits of the soil. The most wonderful development has been accomplished during the past three or four years Scientific methods, coupled with intelligent management, has begun the completion of the transforma- tion.
 Though every manufacturing plant in Anniston should close down, fennel could not thrive in the streets. Annston would still be one of the important cities of Alabama.
 Anyway, when Anniston again gives habitation to bats, owls and sable-robed despair, I pity the other manufacturing towns of the state.
 Do you wonder that the people of An niston are boosters?
 Do you wonder that even Joseph Hoad- ley stood speeches. in the sight of such an array of opportunity?
 New manufacturing plants are being constantly added to the long list of those already engaged in stuffing pay envelopes and providing stockholders dividends.
 In it's struggle for industrial greatness Anniston has in no wise neglected the nobler duties to family and home.
 NHo9n;6oapt sohools and colleges have been magnifcently provided. The city is noted for it's handsome and well sup ported churches of most all leading de- nominations. The residences are attrac- tive and reflect credit on their builders and the spirit of the citizenship. A spin through the several most attractive resi- dence sections, Christine Circle, Leighton avenue. Quirtard avenue and Tyler Hill is an inspiration.
 The streets and avenues are we'll shaded, clean and attractive.
 E.. l.. Turner, president of the An niston Chamber of Commerce, has a wholesome and abiding faith not only in his home town but the entire state of Alabama. He is a booster of that conservative, convincing temperament that always wins an apperciative audi ence.
 His optimism is always backed by some tangible evidence that would sat- isfy even the most skeptical nut from Missouri.
 For instance: While talking in his ofFioa ,,p toun in Auuistou he toId