The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-02

Branch Bernard Burton, who was yes- terday elected president of the Birming- ham Business league, and also, at the same time, president of the Alabama Fair association, begged me not to dis close his age.
 I will keep the promise; but will give you this clue if you are determined to know: If the Birmingham commission al- lows the telephone company to put a heavier tariff on absentee conversation, add the four numerals of the year of MT. Burton's birth and they will total IT,
 Now.
 It happened in the capitol of the F. F. v's.
 After plodding his way through the pub lie high schools of Richmond, Young Burton took position in the Richmond house of the Cable Piano company as sheet music clerk. He had a natural turn for music and part of his business was to try all new music on the clerks and customers who happened to straggle in before 1t was offered to the public.
 Though his father was a contractor in tin and metal work, the boy inherited or was born with musical turn, and has had no other ambition. In later years he has turned his talents to good, practical use instead of the more aestnetlcaL
 The distribution of musical instruments and musical composition to the people of his community brings the buttons" where a song might fail.
 Since 16 years of age he has been in the employ of the Cable company, rising step by step until placed at the head of one of the largest branches of the concern at Birmingham. He came to Birmingham in 1908. succeeding J. E. Shelby, who is now manager of Cable branch at Den yer.
 Before coming to Birmingham MT. Bur- ton was manager for the branch at Nor folk.
 Coming to Birmingham three years ago, MT. Burton at once identified himself with tho business and social interests of the city and has made many substantial friends. He adopted Birmingham as his home with becoming fidelity, and at once became a valuable citizen. He has been prominent in the commercial organiza- tions of Birmingham and has been placed on important committees both in the Business league and in the Chamber of Commerce.
 He Is a Mason and is also member of one or two other fraternal orders He IS member of the Southern club and spends his spare time attending baseball games and reading official scores. Base ball is his hobby, leaving his home and business out of consideration.
 He married Miss Morriss of Petersburg, Va, seven years ago. MT. and Mrs. Bur ton have one son, Branch Bernard, Jr. He is years old and one of the brightest youngsters on the South Highlands.
 MT. Burton Is little over five feet high and weights 13S pounds when he Is not in hurry. I caught him catching a tax icab for a train to Cincinnati. He had 30 minutes to run from his office on Sec ond avenue to his home on the South Highlands and back to the Terminal station. He put on his hat and coat as he went and answered my questions over the chatter of the taxi as we went out Eighteenth street.
 He does not like to talk about him. self. He prefers to do things with as little show as possible. and get his re- ward in the satisfaction that he has done his duty to the fullest of his abil- ity.
 ''The office of president of the Business league and the Alabama State Fair as- sociation was thrust upon me-" he said. q am always willing to do all I can to serve the public. but I felt that there were other men in Birmingham that could