The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-02

genial toastmaster's S permission, the larger
part of the diners removed their coats
and in their shirt sleeves they tackled
Birmingham's problems with a zeal and
enthusiasm that has seldom been seen.
Many anecdotes were told and all drew
loud applause and laughter, but there
was serious strain that ran through
every speech that augered well for the
future of the city whose business men
composed the gathering.
President Burton's opening address was
as follows
"Gentlemen-As president of the Bus
mess Mems league, l extend you a most
cordial welcome
THE various organizations of bust
ness and civic life to a large degree
make city what it is, and the in
dividual members are responsible to
large degree for the usefulness and
the potency of these organizations.
There is much to be done and so
many various branches of work for
the betterment of our city in a busi-
ness way that one organization need
not encroach upon the work of the
others, but distribution of action can
be made so that the work of one or
ganization may be dovetailed into the
work of the other. and with the unity
of purpose in each of the several or
ganizationS, and a desire for better
civic and commercial conditions in the
heart of each member, cannot but help
to make Birmingham's fame spread
more and more rapidly as we make 1t
more and more desirable for men Of
money and brains Drawn and skill to
bring their families here and become
identified with this great city which
by aid of natures great gift to us, we
can make the greatest city in the south,
and the geratest place to live in
America.
"As doubtless many of you gentle
men know, the Business Mems leagues S
contribution to Birmingham great
ness is specifically a commercial one.
The Business Mems league is purely a
commercial organization. organized for
the specific purpose of bringing more
trade to Birmingham, or, selfishly
speaking, increasing our own business
by bringing out of town patronage,
and l believe each of our members
can testify to the increase in out of
town business which the league has
been successful in bringing to them
Secured Number of Conventions
The Business Mems league has also
brought. or helped to bring to Birming-
ham a large number of conventions,
which we all cannot fail to recognize
as business getters.
I'VE have in the four years of our
existence as an organization secured
more concessions from the railroads
than such organizations in other cities
have obtained within a period of 10
years; namely, better schedules, week
end rates and stop over privileges.
Our merchants are here with the
goods and it is the aim and duty of
the league to assist them in telling
to the people of Alabama and adjoin-
ing states that Birmingham is the place
of advantage to trade.
Birmingham mercantile advantages
are heralded far and near. and our
ways of going after trade are many
and various. Our secretary Mr.
Fowlkes. follows industriously any
clew that may lead to the placing of
orders with Birmingham merchants
and every means of advertising, cir
cularizing and letter writing is done
to aid our merchants, and advantages
taken in every way of any attraction
given here to fayorably introduce Bir-
mingham. and make the most of our
chances for securing out of town bust
ness.
Probably the most important work