The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-02
ANNUAL BANQUET
 OF BUSINESSM MEN
 WAS BIG SUCCESS. Get Together" Spirit Was
 Keynote of the Whole l Affair
PROMINENT MEN s
 MAKE ADDRESSES
B. B. Burton, R. A. Brown, Dr. Evans, ". PIG. Harding, k. W. Barrett, Frank P. Chaffee and Others
 Tell of City's Greatness

Tha annual banquet given last might by the Business Mems league at the Hillman hotel was a great success from every point of view. The elegant re- past was followed by a feast of wit, eloduence and business enthusiasm that has seldom been surpassed at a similar affair. About 200 guests were present representing all the business and pro- fessionaI interests of the city. The Key note of the banquet was the fostering of the Get Together spirit, having for Its view the advancement of Birmingham from a moral, social and business stand point.
 B. B. Burton former president of the Business Mems league, opened the speak ing and stated the purpose of the gath ering. In introducing the toastmaster, R. A. Brown, he spoke of the work of the league and the many benefits that have been derived since it's organization He paid a high compliment to MT. Brown in presenting him as the toastmaster of the evening.
 MT. Brown thoroughly demonstrated his ability as a functiohary of this kind and in introducing the Speakers did so in quite a novel manner. He called upon the president of the league, J. II. Iiol- combe, for the welcome address, who made a brief address on behalf of the hosts of the evening to those present
 pr. W. E. Evans was called upon to resnond 10 the toast of "Get Together" :" The speaker expressed lis pleasure at being present and said that although he was a minister he was in sense bus mess man and that as an induoement to all the young bachelors of Birmingham to "Get Together" he would marry them at club rates. He spoke of the relations of the employe and the employer and stated that they should get together for their mutual benefit. He spoke of the Atlanta spirit and stated that the bus mess men of Birmingham would do well to emulate it. His remarks were well received and he was given round of applause as he reached his conclusion.
 Hanson Speaks
 Victor H. Hanson of the Birmingham News discussed the state Fair as an AdNeIIISeT lpI 1oililliibiittAtisfN Aii 9NhetA that the state fair has proven and in the future will prove great boon to the business men and merchants of Bir- mingham Each year it has increased in the number of exhibitors and eX- hiblts It attracts thousands of people from the surrounding sections who be come accustomed to the city and It's ad- vantages as a trade center. He stated that the fair is a means of getting the people together and that they come 1o know each other and the number and variety of products of the Birmingham district The Alabama State Fair is a magnificent monument to the faithful work of a comparatively small body of men who composed the Business Men g leaeue, he said. He closed by assuring them of the able assistance as far as possible of the newspaper with which he is connected.
 W. P. G. Harding was the next spea!-er and made a most notable ad- dress on 'ewhat the League Has Done for the Business Interests of Birming- ham"
 Harding's Notable Address
 He stated it took all classes to build up q great city. The press and the pulpit, the banker and business man the professional man and mechanic were all part of a common whole but that on no class fell a greater opportunity to build up city. than the retail merchant. The speaker stated the investor and the homeseeker would be largely influenced by the character of the men who were in business. Re ferring to the Business Mems league he stated it had just begun its use. fitness and pointed out the splendid success of the state fair, which wa' given under its auspices. as an ex ample of work accomplished. He said Birmingham was destined to be a grea city, that a million dollar hotel wa! practically assured, 1t might be two and that Birmingham was the mos widely discussed town in the United States. He made reference to the fam' modest young congressman of sterl ing worth and ability had brought t' the city and district. The mention O MT. Underwood's name was the sig nal for tumultuous applause.
 MT Harding refereed, .tof the Bir mingham of 10 years as6 and tn. developments that ares t0 lie seen to day, and closed by reference to thi moral status of the city.
 We must have an awakening to th' sancity of human life, to the observ ance and enforcement of the law; M have had all the undesirable advertis ing we need; we must have the othe kind, and we will"
 E. w. Barrett responded to the toas of Good Fellowship Among Bushes Men" by saying: ..5
 "GOod Fellowship"
 "F'lagg, the cartoOnist and Illustrator appreciative of good fellowship am good sayings created the following tn other day:
 Said the Reverend Jabez McCotton:
 'The waltz of the devils begotten. Said Jones to Miss Biy:
 Never mind the old guy; To the pure almost eyerything's rot
 ten"
 There is more truth chan poetr, in what Fiagg says. It doesn't ma tie what you do in any walk of life yo will always find the fellow who come up and says, its rotten
 .'The kicker is with Us always. Th genius. however, Is the one who make 6 kicker laugh at himself
 As perhaps all of you gentlemel know, there was a strike on the ney 2O-story building of the Americai Trust and Savings bank today Tn representatives of some of the union