The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-13
ANNISTON BANQUET
BRINGS OUT THEF|NE
CONDITION OF CITY
Alabama Power Officials
Make Talks on Growth of
States Industries
RETURNS ARE COMING
ON BIG INVESTMENTS
Annual Affair of Chamber of Com
merce Proved Happy in Bringing
Favorable Situation to
Attention of All

Admission, April 2.-(SpeciaL with
practically every industry in the city
in operation at, full capacity and with
resources of about $500 available In the
treasury of the Admission Chamber of
Commerce for the LOCATION of more new
industries in this city, one of which will
be announced within few days, Annis-
ton is in a solid condition, according to
facts brought out at the annual ban
ouet of the Admission Chamber of Com
merce Friday evening at the Alabama
hotel
The year 1907 was the banner year in
Admission, the city at that time having
reached the apex OF It's prosperity, just
before the panic came on. and. according
to James Mitchell of London. president
pany, which controls the Admission Elec-
trio and Gas company, the receipts from
the latter company's operations here last
year equalled the receipts for the ban
ner year of 1907, thus showing, in the
opinion of Mr.. MITCHELL that the city is
now on d more solid basis than at that
time, as Anniston's industries are now
more diversified than at any previous
time in the city's history.
Mr.. Mitchell Chief Speaker
Mr.. Mitchell, who is at the head of the
great $55,OOO0o0 corporation which. has
invested over a million dollars in Affnis
ton alone, and thousands more in the
Admission district, was in the city with
w. w. Freeman, general manager, and
M. Webb Offutt, assistant manager, who
were the guests of honor at the ban-
quet, and the address of Mr.. Mitchell was
the chief feature of the meeting
Mr.. Mitchell spoke at length in regard
to the operations of the Alabama Power
company in Alabama, and stated that
the policy of his company would be one
of development. He paid high tribute
to Admission, stating that he was told
| by a gentleman in the east before COM
| ing here without solicitation that Annis-
| ton was known as the city where was to
| be found the highest type OF skilled
i labor in the south. He stated that the
interest alone on the investments of his
| company in Alabama amounted to ap-
proximately $1,000 day and that 1t was
essential that they develop the territory
| where they operate in order to realize
| on their investments.
Mr.. Mitchell stated that his company
secured it's foothold in Alabama under
! great opposition, as eastern capitalists
had marked 1t for their own, proposing
, to develop it when they got ready. He
further averred that if his company had
depended on American capital 1t could
never have secured foothold in this
| state, as the average eastern capitalist
/ is playing the waiting game with ref
erence to the south
| He also stated that il he had waited
| 1t would have been impossible at present
! to secure money in Europe, as the Balkan
war has had a Tightening effect on Eu-
ropean capital. which Is now being Kept at
home to meet exigencies that have recent
| ly arisen. Mr.. Mitchell paid his respects
| to the so-called conservationists who have
undertaken to thwart the operations OF
| the Alabama Power company, and stated
| that the action of President Taft in yeto-
| ing the Coosa river dam bill last year had
had a most deleterious effect OH English
| capitalists in their attitude toward the
! United States
! Mr. Mitchell stated that his company is
more largely Interested in Admission than
| any other city in the south, having con-
| troll of the street railway, the electric
and gas franchises here and big waterway
| sites In the district He congratulated
the Chamber of Commerce on its excellent
showing and upon the services OF Presl-
dent e. l.. Iurner ana secretary L" -.
Watson.
Freeman and Offutt Talk
Following Mr. Mitchell, w. w. Freeman
of Birmingham made a short talk, an
nouncing that with the completion of the
big steam plant at Gadsden soon the
company would be ready to do business
within the next 60 days. He was followed
! by NJ W. Offutt who made short but
| feicitous address.
| Preceding the guests of honor, Judge
| J. J. Willett. James Keith, Jr., ). H..
Crook and w. p. Acker spoke. President
| q. l. Turner acted as toastmasted. In