The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-24


 money for the untiring advancement of this body. To say that he will make success in supplying the place I am now leaving is a well known assurance. l/pngratulate you your wise selection |<-f your future president and take great pleasure in turning this gavel of office over to his keeping for the next r months"
 The new official immediately arose, and fifth the subsiding of applause, character istically opened his Inaugural speech with 'an amusing anecdote, for which he is famous. Glimpsing his policy of office in general way and making a special refer ence to several projects now under way in this city, MT. Sibley said:
 'srhe presidency of the Chamber of Con- merce is, indeed, an honor and an oppor- tunity. I would that my tongue could utter the thoughts that arise in me in ap- precation. but I can only say I thank you for the honor, and will sincerely do my best with the opportunity
 With your loyal cooperation and en- thusasm trust the year we are entering upon may be signalzed as the one in which Birmingham's citizenship will get |together in a solid phalanx to demon strate that this is, indeed. the best city in the country to live in and to make a living in.
 Chamber of Citizens Some one has said that the Chamber of Commerce is really a chamber of citi- zenship, and I commend 10 your earnest reconsideration the words of one of our i- lustrious statesman, viz: "A good citizen is one who is willing at all times to make some sacrifice of his time means and con venience to advance the common welfare, and has such an abiding Interest in this. that he is always watchful and needs no urging to do his duty
 '1 have no special plan or pet theory to suggest for the chamber to pursue, but l will state that regard as the paramount need in the commercial life of our district aggressive work on the lines of industrial developments or in other words more di- versifed industries that will swell our pay rolls. which are the life of trade and ! the best prevention of panics.
 There is a trite proverb that the proor | of the pudding IS in the eating. and the | best way to induce new industries to To- cate here is to foster and make success ful those we already have. and that Will attract outside attention to our district.
 "I cannot emphasize too strongly the patriotism and necessity Of every one prac- ticng the sentiment of our slogan that is blazoned on the top of our building: Trade in Birmingham.
 "When Ike weep the dollar we might spend elsewhere, spinning it's useful courss fin Birmingham win easily make it city sufficiel it unto itself, self-supportlng and independent. From the earliest rec ords We find that in the matter of en- couraging infant industry woman has been the most potent and faithful rac;or. We are living in an age where the inru- ence of woman m the commercial worli is being felt and believe that it shom.s be officially recognized by this chamber. It win be my pleasure therefore to ap- point an auxiliary ladies' committee ,m the promotion of local trade.
 Home Products
 "But while we are busy in boosting the, industries we already have let us look over the field and ascertain what products Birmingham does not make, but buys in largo quantities elsewhere. which could be made just as well CT better in Bir- mingham Having found this out let give such publicity as may lead Bir- mngham men and Birmingham capital to enlist themselves in these enterprises and we will find outside capital will be anxious to come and join hands. On
 the other hand we could go to some of the great industries, for instance. cot
 ton belt manufacturers. and say, 'Bir-
 mingham buys annually $1o0,00o of this product and we will pledge ourselves to
 buy from you if you will erect branch Factory at Rirmingham. If you will not Chen we will build it ourselves
 But to be a truly great city we must not confne our efforts solely to the com mercial side. but to do everything to pro- mot fhe civic welfare. With this in view shall appoint q committee to devise plans to secure an 'auditorum' for the handling of conventions and the holding of musical concerts, for fine arts and Snch other uses as may be helpful and
 njoyable to the general .nublic. I feel Assured that our city commissioners will cordially cooperate to this end.