The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1913-11-04
New President Is Sworn In
With Simple Ceremony
by the Retiring
Executive
IN SHORT SPEECH,
WARD SAYS HE WILL
Do THE BEST HE CAN
Exum Thanks the People of Birming-
ham for Honor Conferred on Him.
Endorses Movement to Drop
Suit Against the Steel
Corporation

! George Ward is president of the city
commission. In the presence of n good
sized audience Of friends the newly elected
president succeeded culpepper Rxum as
head of the city of Birmingham in a sim
pie little ceremony yesterday morning in
the presidents office at the city hall.
Speeches were made by Mr.. Ward, Mr..
Exum, Judge Lane and Mr.. Weatherly.
Mr.. Exum administered the oath which
formally placed Mr.. Ward in the office
which Mr.. Exum has held for two years.
| Mr.. Exum in a short speech spoke of
the honor of being president of the city
commission, stating that he hoped Mr..
| Ward would be succeeded in that office
by as able and brilliant man as he had
| been.
Ward Makes Short Speech
After he had taken the oath of office,
Mr.. Ward stated that he would break one
| of his pet rules and also make a short
| speech. He said he was mindful of the
duties of his office, and that he would
| promise to give the city of Birmingham
his best efforts as long as he held the
office He complimented Mr.. Exum and
the associate commissioners upon the sue
cess of their inauguration. of the commits
sion form of government, and stated he
was well aware of some of the many diff
: fioulties they had met with and had over
come.
| Associate Commissioners Lane and
Weatherly made short speeches welcom-
\
their best wishes and good will to the
retiring president. They stated their Of
fetal labors in collaboration with Mr..
Exum had been pleasant and ideal.
The oath which made George Ward
president of the commission was as fol-
lows:
Il, George Ward, solemnly swears that
I will support the constitution of the
United States, the constitution of the state
of Alabama, as long I continue cit
izen thereof, and that 1 will faithfully
office upon which ! am about to enter, tc
the best of my ability"
The oath was administered in the pres
ident's office at the city hall, the table
of which was banked with many flowers
presented to Mr.. Ward the incoming
president. Just before the oath was
taken, Mr.. Bxum said:
Mr.. Exum Speaks
I'm retiring from the office which |
the people of Birmingham for the great
honor they have done me.
ut is a great honor to be at the head of
the government of this wonderful city,
an honor which comes to but a few of us,
and prize 1t highly.
In the performance of my duty l have
tried to be equitable and fair in all mat
ters, whether these matters pertained to
| individual, individuals or corporations. OF
| the latter, | am afraid that too often we
find ourselves ready to criticize and to
misunderstood. When properly conducted
they are great developers, and are only
the combination of intellect energy and
capital, and it takes these to develop the
big things and make it possible for us to
! keep pace with the development of other
communities and countries.
II was very much impressed to see that
| the employees of the Tennessee Coal Iron
and Railroad company had petitioned Con-
| gress, through our representatives, to
|
wards the disruption of the present rela-
tons between the United States Steel
corporation and themselves / happen to
know of the great development and the
stability which this corporation has
| brought to this district since it took
over the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail
road company. and | happen to know
| further of the fair and generous treat
ment of this institution to it's employees,
| not only as to a fair compensation for
their labors, but the many valuable serv-
| ices they render in caring for their en-
ployes, especially their healthfulness and
the happiness OF their families, and |
want to say now that am petitioner
with these employees in asking that our
representatives use their efforts in stop
ping any proceedings that will disturb
the present magnificent development that
is being inaugurated by them and the
many more which will follow.
| Thanks His Associates
"ro all the heads of the scity's depart
ments, and through them to their CO.
workers | extend my hearty thanks for
their cooperation in helping me dis
charge the duties of my office, 1 trust,
with credit.
'1n retiring from this office to that OF
| a private citizen, / want it distinctly I'M
derstood that as a citizen. and I trust a
WORTHY one all matters nertafninc tn