The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-14
ATLANTA SCENE
 WAS IMPOSING
Dave Says Presentation of the State Flags Was
 Dramatic Moment

Montgomery, March 13.-(Special)- That the recent convention of the South | ern Commercial congress In Atlanta was
 one of the greatest events that has taken
 place in the south within the last 50 years
 was the opinion expressed today by G Grosvenor Dave. managing director of the congress of Washington, D. C., who Is r Montgomery for several days rest and recuperation. Mir. Dave reached the city last night and was accompanied by Mrs Dave and pr. Clarence J. Owens, com missioner of agriculture and immigration of the Southern Commercial congress. 1 MT. Dave spoke most enthusiastically of the Atlanta convention, maintaining that 1t stood pre-eminently for a greater spirit of standardization than any other event that has ever taken place in the south.
 | He declared that those who were not present from Alabama at the convention missed an inspiring treat, as the great | congress stood for new union of the | south-one that Is destined to grow stronger and stronger with each passing year. He declared that 1t was not merely | a convention in which the wealth of the south was the subject of discussion, but that it was a gathering that represented a new spirit of harmony, standardization and standardization.
 The most inspiring ssene, according 10 MT. Dave, that took place during the con- vention was on last Friday morning, when the flags of the sixteen states rep resented in the congress were borne to the stage and grouped in a semi-circle about the speakers on the platform. In the Ian guage of Mir. Dave: -44 4s4s
 There was one intensely dramatic mo- ment. This occurred on Friday morning when President Taft, at the request of Governor Francis, presided over the ses. sion. The moment the president struck with his gavel to secure order the band began to play Dixie, and up the center aisle of the building ten of the business men of Alabama marched carrying the flag of the state.
 "The moment they reached the steps leading to the platform the band ceased playing and the flag was presented 10 Lieutenant Governor Seed, delegated by Governor ONeal to receive the state em- blem. The nag was then paced Dack or the distinguished party on the stage, set upright in a socket, and It's folds extend ed. The same was done with the flags of the 15 other states.
 At the moment the last flag was placed, the band started to play the Star-Spangled Banner and down from the rafters above there slowly descended the flag of the United States. 40 feet in length, and enveloped the IS state flags.
 There then followed a scene which it transcends language to describe. There was band playing, shouting and music, the whole convention being overcome with the pure sentiment of the moment"
 MT Dave further stated how Senator Gordon of Mississippi. after the inspiring flag scene. arose and addressed the con vention, invoking a spirit of true union which the scene had just symbolized, and predicting for the south future of great glory and advancement.
 Tonight the Business Mems league en- tertained MT. Dave at a reception, after which he was the guest of honor at a dinner given by number of his friends in this city. MT. Dave will remain in Montgomery until Wednesday morning.