The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-13
DESCRIBES DUTIES 0F CIVIC CHAMBER Lucius E. Wilson Lectures
 to Business Men CAUSE OF HIGH PRICES States Rack to the Farm Movement" Is Only Sure Remedy for High
 Cost of Living-Taken
 Over District
CAUSE OF HIGH PRICES

What single thing should be done today for the benefit of the community ?-that should be the constant thought of 8 Chamber of Commerce, said Lucius E Wilson, the noted commercial civic ex- rert in addressing the business men of the Birmingham district last evening at the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce
 Mr. Wilson arrived in Birmingham yesterday morning and was met by W. c, Radcliffe, secretary of the Chamber of Commerce who took him sightseeing about the district. The South Highlands resi- dential district greatly impressed MT. VII son, who said he did not know that such an avenue of handsome residences could be found in the. south. The view from Red Mountain also impressed the visitor. Tt is the most beautiful view of pie turesque scenery" he said, that l have ever witnessed in all my travels, with the possible exception of one in Hamil- ton, Ontario, Canada. But there the view is rather marred by the fact that un- slightly huts and railroad tracks stand at the foot of the mountain. Here you offer at the foot of your Red mountain every thing that is beautiful.
 Goes to Ensley
 After luncheon at the Southern club, MT. Wilson was taken over to visit the Ensley steel mill and the by-product plant which finished up the industrial tour of MT. Wilson, who declared himself greatly benefited by the experience. He returns to Columbia, s. C., early today where he will spend a few weeks rejuve- hating the commercial organization of that city.
 In his lecture last evening on How a Business Mans Club Can Help the Com munity," there was much food for thought and the business men present were great iy impressed.
 The time has come when a Chamber of Commerce." he said, fshould not be an aggressive organization, but defensive organization. The Chamber of Commerce instead of reaching out for more factories should nurse those already secured. Talk Ing adequately care of what you already have means a great deal of conscientious effort on the part of the livest and most progressive commercial organization. What have you to offer to outside indus tries that they should locate in Birming- ham? Can you offer them better living conditions for their workmen than they are receiving wherever they may be? Are you already providing suitable living con- ditions for them whom you now have in your midst? These are pertinent ques- tions that should be answered by the Chamber of Commerce.
 An Industrial Nation
 We have become an industrial nation. A year ago our industrial exports ex- oeeded that of our agricultural exports. That means several things. First, our cities are expanding industrialIs. Second, the young men of the farms are Hooking to the cities to labor in industries, there by decreasing the output of agriculture to the enlargement of industries. Third that means an increase in the high cost of living; for the high cost of living is not caused by political activities, but by the basic fact of the decrease in agricul- tural pursuits throughout the country as well as the civilized world.
 some years ago a census was taken showing a pro rata of 3 men in the cities to 97 men on the farms. What did that mean? The 97 men on the farm produce great variety of foodstuff, but could not demand much for it owing to the fact that only three men were there to buy. Naturally the advaLsge was on the side of the three men and they practically paid the price they should afford to pay for their food. At the last census the figures show that there is one man in the cities to one man on the farm. What does that mean? Your grocery and butch- CT bills tell the narrowing tale better than l could. The man on the farm now has a greater demand to supply and not so much to supply it with. The Chamber of Commerce of Birmingham should look into this question at once, for 1t affects every one of you vitally, and should take means to interest men in the back to the farm movement Ma chinery, factories and all that are very nice, but not eatable and one of the es- sential things to live is-you must eat.''