The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-05-16
Several Hundred Represen-
tative Citizens From
Over State Attend
BIRMINGHAM MEN
GUESTS OF HONOR
Representative Burnett, the Chief
Speaker of Occasion, Pays Glow
ing Tribute to Underwood.
Harding on Speaking List
by HUGH w. ROBERTS

Gadsden MAY 15-(Special with Con-
gresham Burnett, w. p G. Harding, M.
Webb offutt and William Radcliffe of
birmingham as guests of honor, the
Gadsden Chamber of Commerce tonight
celebrated with banquet the prosperity
and good fellowship which does obtain
in the valley of the Coosa.
Attending We're several hundred repre-
| sentative citizens of this and surround
ing counties and the affair, though
staged with The setting which is dear
to the heart # William Jennings BRYAN.
was one of the most successful ever at
tempted in the history of the state.
Among the notable men in attendance
were, in addition to the toastmaster. Col.
k. A. Mitchell, the venerable r. b. Kyle.
VINO despite his 81 years still takes an
active part in the business and political
welfare of the state The list of speak
ers in addition TO those already mem
toned included Capt. W. +. Lay. one
OF the forerunners of water power de-
veiopment in the south.
Given Ovation
J. B. Wadsworth, president of the
Chamber of Commerce; Capt j. NJ. Ell
liott and others; Congressman Burnett.
who is as popular in this district as I'm
ceiwood is in the Ninth, was naturally
the lion OF the evening He arrived a
moment after all the guests had taken
their seats. As he entered he was com
plimented with demonstration. His ad
dress, though short and to the point
held the audience entranced. Convulsed
IN moment with uncontrollabl laughter
and spellbound in the next With the pic
lure of prosperity which the Statesman n
SO adroitly drew. Mr.. Harding also re-
eeived demonstration. He spoke pleas
af4tly of the Gadsden of today and YES
terday and then discussed the matter
of freight rates, question which he
stated with smile would soon demand
attention of all the people.
Points Out Development
He made the point that the rate
whether passenger or freight, was not
one of self-import, the vital point being
whether or not one city or one state was
disseminated against. He spoke of the
development of Gadsden and Birmingham
and other cities of the state and then
expressed the opinion that neither one
nor the other would reacn its highest
point of development until the people
paid more attention to the turning out
of finished products.
In the course of his speech Mr. Burnett
went briefly into the work OF congress
and because Of his love for the man and
his appreciation of his worth paid a
glowing tribute to that Alabamian, who
is generally recognized as perhaps the
biggest man in America, Mr.. Under
wood.
Underwood, said he, sis so faithful
-. q
pledges of the party be carried out with
he has not Jnly worked without ceasing
for many months, but has yielded points
for the sake of harmony. Mr.. Underwood
does not favor free wool and free sugar.
but held the ranks solid because the
President desired free wooi and free
sugar. The tariff bill passed. the House
through the efforts of the Alabama lead
er and will go through the Senate with
only few changes.
"On account of the desire Of the Presl-
cent the great question of currency will
be considered at the present session.
Many democrats believe that this mat
ter should not be taken up prior to next
December, because 1t Is of vital impor-
tance. Although the preparation and
the preliminary consideration of the bill
TO be enacted will be accomplished by
committee of which Mr.. Underwood is not
a member, he will nevertheless lead that
fight destined to be a strenuous one. The
President has already given him notifca-
ton that he will be expected to under
take the burden OF putting the measure
through.
Underwood for President
"rIuless the tariff will bring disaster.
and we do not think that there Is
chance of that result obtaining. no power
CONTINUED ON Page Nine.)