The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-10-24

committee following an after dinner speech of W. P. G. Harding of Brming ham, who declared at the Saratoga hotel at the luncheon rendered the commit tee by the Business Mems league that he was much in favor of the centennial ex- position. MT. Harding said that the ex- position contemplated was not to be mere ly county fair, but real exposition, sufficiently broad and comprehensive in it's scope as to attract exhibits and vis- itors not only from all parts of Ala bama, but from every state in the union as well as from foreign countries" Mir I1ardng's speech was enthusiastically re- ceived, and MT. Wallaees resolution was adopted with practically no oposition On reconvening in the auditorium of the Business Mems league. pr. Thomas M. Owen, chairman of the centennial com mittee, gave a thrilling address as to the character of exhibits and things to be accomplished Dr. Owen spoke at length on the scope of the proposed exposition, and he showed that he was thoroughly familiar with the importance of holding an exposition ill 1919.
 The next city placed In nomination was Birmingham, and J. W. Mcqueen and J. W. Sibley were the first speakers in behalf of the Magic City Mr Sibley said there were three reasons why Bir- mingham should be selected for the ex- positions
 1. That Birmingham was the largest city in the state, and that its popula- tion in 1919 would be 350,000.
 g. That Birmingham offered better railroad facilities.
 g. That Birmingham at that time would be able to offer ample hotel ac- comm ations.
 MT. Sibley gave numerous other req sons why the exposition should be .o1I la. pfrY.,4 t,srt. was that that city could be counted upon to contribute s500,00O to the sue cess of the exposition, and that an equal amount would be contributed by soutside sources.
 Location Considered
 Maj. " B. Atkins of Selma nominated that city for the location of the centen- nial exposition. Major Atkins said the people of Selma would do their best 10 contribute to the success of the 1919 cele- bratlon. He was followed by J. L. Clay of Selma, who also spoke in favor of holding the exposition in that city.
 He was followed by Mir Harding who said that Birmingham was bet ter able to take care of the exposi- tion than any other city in the state in that Birmingham was the center of population.
 MT. Harding said he believed larg- CT attendance could be secured for Birmingham than for any other city in the state. He showed that he had studied the situation very closely, and he made an eloquent argument in favor of holding the exposition at Birming- ham.
 Robert c. Brickell. attorney general of Alabama, next placed in nomination the city of Huntsville. The nomina- tion was seconded by Ben w. Hunt of Huntsville.
 Montgomery Nominated
 Will T. Sheehan was the first to speak in favor of holding the exposition in Montgomery. He was followed by c. r. Mcintyre, member of the city com mission, who declared that from historic and sentimental reasons Montgomery should be chosen for the exposition. Other Montgomerians who spoke for the location of the exposition were E. J. Meyer president of the Business Mems League, and Roy Rushton, an attorney.
 Following the presentation of Mont gomery's claims for the exposition. M. V. Joseph of Birmingham was called upor for speech, and Mr. Joseph made an eloquent address In favor of holding the centennial al that city. He said that Bir- mingham would be able to contribute in the neghborhood of s1,o00,0o0 to the sue cess of the exposition.