The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-12-28
Largest Gathering of Con- mercial Travellers Ever
 Held In City
ALL SPEAKERS. ARE
 VERY OPTIMISTIC
Exum, Means, Ewing, Jackson and Others Draw Rosy Pictures of Birmingham's Future and
 Lauds Travelling Men

Birmingham spirit, the factor which has been responsible for the phenome- nal growth of the city was the stock in trade of the $50 commercial travellers and guests last night in the banquet hall of the Hotel Hillman, where there was served at the instance of the Chamber of Commerce a most shmptuous repast. The affair." which was only broached about nine days ago, and which when ordered by the chambers board of di- rectors necessitated haste in making the point of view There was everything suitable for the discriminating taste of the Birmingham ''booster' in the way of foods, and the ! best productions that have played this city so far this season were far outclased in the way of amuse- ment
 Gather In Lobby
 At about 6:15 o clock the travellers began to file into the lobby of the Hillman. and soon everyone going to the banquet was vending his way to the palm room on the second floor where Cadman's or chestra was giving concert. There w. B. Everett, assistant secretary of the chamber, and the glad hand" com mittee were busy Mir. Everett In dis- tributing Identification cards and boost er' suitcase checks advertising Birming- ham, the glad hand' committee in sec ing to it that everyone "got together"
 Promptly at T o'clock General Chair man Robert w. Ewing of the commit tees on arrangements whispered the good word to John W. Sibley, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the banquet hall was thrown open to the greatest aggregation of travelling men ever gath cred under one roof in Birmingham.
 Owing to the excellent service the nu- merous courses of the dinner were quick ly disposed of, and the inner men sat- isfied some of those long perfeetos and Egyptian cigarettes were indulged in. Cadman's orchestra rendered many mu- sical selections.
 Ewing Speaks
 Robert W. Ewing opened the speech making fireworks. He said: This is the second annual dinner at which commer- cial men of this city have honored the Chamber of Commerce by their pres ence. We are giving you this dinner that you may get together with us in an endeavor to make Birmingham truly a Magic City" I have the honor of introducing John W. Sibley, the pres,- dent of the Chamber of Commerce, and your host, who will act as toastmas- ter''
 MT. Sibley said. Tt affords me par ticular pleasure to preside at this din- ner. and to say how highly the .dilec- tors of the Chamber of Commerce ap- preciate the indefatigable efforts that you commercial travellers of BirininS- ham have put forth to boost the Magic City" Here he called for every direc- tor of the Chamber of Commerce to stand up, and said; Gentlemen, these are your hosts. We are delighted to be your hosts on this occasion, and trust it will be long remembered as a pleasant and inspiring event in your career''
 MT Sibley then told in his inimitable way a few stories following which he introduced Culpepper Exum, president of the city commission.
 Mir Exum had as his topic: "Fertiliz- ing the Town Spirit" He said. "lhe best ingredients that I would care to find to fertilize Birmingham are around me in this room. You gentlemen are the makers or the breakers of cities and it is to you that Birmingham looks for future and greater progress Look to
 
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