The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-06
CEREMONIES At THE
NEW SKYSCRAPER
About 800 Well Known Men
Entertained
TRIBUTES TO ENSLEN
Mr.. Harding Says Construction of 25-
Story Building Marks an Epoch in
History of Birmingham-Wants
Steel Fabricated Here

Before large gathering of prominent
citizens, including delegation from the
Chamber of Commerce. the placing of
steel at the highest point on the new
Jefferson County Savings bank building,
was appropriately observed yesterday.
w. p. G. Harding, banker of wide ex
perience and president of the Chamber
of Commerce, presided. He raped for
order at 2:30 o'clock when he was faced
by at least 800 of the most widely known
men of this district He said that the
realization of this dream of Mr.. Enslen
was one in which all the citizens of Bir-
mingham were interested. He said that
the construction of the 25-story building
was an epoch in the history of this
city.
MANY of us remember he said, when
we went to the Worlds Fair in Chicago.
skyscraper 20 stories high then was
regarded as a point of interest. We recol-
lect that in less than 20 years Brming
ham has erected all sizes of buildings of
the skyscraper type and we are now cele-
bratng the attainment of the highest
point on 25-story building.
inns 10 q puioiiiS III niiith VIC al lcti
an interest and in which we take pride
1t is a task that Mr.. Enslen has taken
up and for which he should be given the
thanks of this whole community. In this
connection ii seems to me that we should
by word of mouth and in every possible
way work until plant to fabricate this
steel is located in Birmingham. / ven
ture this prediction, that when the next
25-story building is erected in this city
that we will have the fabrication of steel
done in this city This will come in time
hope the day will be hastened and l
am sure you join me in that WISH
Introduces Judge Campbell
Mr.. Harding spoke in the most eulogistic
terms of Eugene F. Enslen, president OF
the jefferson County Savings bank and
then said:
Il want to introduce to you now a man
of Birmingham who was recently called
to a high post in Washington. l want
to point out for his information that here
after when he wants to remember Bir-
mngham all he has to do Is look out OF
his office and remember that the Wash
ington monument Is reminder of this
giant and handsome building l introduce
Judge e. X Campbell, chief justice OF
the court of claims"
Mr.. Campbell was received with hearty
applause. He paid a glowing tribute to
the founder of the bank, c. f. Enslen.
In addition to Mr.. Harding and Judge
Campbell short and informal speeches
were made by Maj. w. J. Miner. who
came here 30 years ago with Mr.. Enslen
He congratulated in the warmest terms
his old friend Major Miner recalled the
worked and paid glowing tribute to the
thrift and industry as well as the hon
esty and fortitude of the elder Mr. Ems
len. T. H. Motion made short speech
as did F. p. Glass and others.
All of the directors of the Jefferson
County Savings bank that were in the
city were on hand None of them spoke
thanking the gentlemen for honoring him
by their presence nothing was said Mr..
Enslen was taken by the hand after II
was all over by practically every man
attending the ceremonies. He promised
to give them another entertainment in
the proposed club rooms on the roof when
the building is completed.
F. w Mark, contractor for the new
25-story building, Mr. Enslen and William
C. Weston. architect for the building all
agreed that the building will be ready
for tenants October !. but the banking
rooms will not be ready at that time il
is said