The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-20
FRANKLIN DINNER
OF LOCAL PRINTERS
VERY SUCCESSFUL
Schoppert Presides as Toast
master-Guests Are We'll
coined by Cornett
JEFFRIES TELLS OF
"ANCIENT HISTORY"
Calhoun Pays Tribute to Benjamin
Franklin, First Great American
Printer-Much Laughter at
Hornady's Speech

Printers of Birmingham last night
Gathered at the Empire hotel and did
honor to Benjamin Franklin, the first
great American printer.
The banquet hall was crowded with
members of Birmingham local No. 1o4
International Typographical union, and
their friends. 1t was an occasion
which will long be remembered by all
who attended for the good fellowship
which was manifested.
r. p. Schoppert, president of No. 104
presided as POSTMASTER and introduced
the speakers in a chara acteristic way.
The speeches were appropriate to the
occasion and in happy VEIN Several
unique stunts We're put on" which
Were much enjoyed by the guests The
programme was carried out az an
nounced.
handsome souvenir programme was
presented to each guest present in the
form of an album. The souvenir con-
tanned information regarding the ban
quet and views of the printers home
at Colorado Springs Colo. During the
evening delightful music was rendered
by an orchestra, and all present voted
the affair a success in every way.
Address of Welcome
After the invocation, that was partcu-
larly fitting, by the Rev. f. w. Bar
nett. editor of the Alabama Baptist,
F. Cornett. chairman of the Ben
Franklin committee. made the address
of welcome.
"As preliminary to this occasion
anG because. l presume, iron -fisted and
hard hearted custom has made of it a
necessity. the committee in charge of
this celebration delegated to me the
duty of making you welcome" said he.
THE foremost trait of the great prin- =
ter in whose name we are gathered
was his truthful habits and democratic
spirit In emulation of the former
am forced to admit that 1 cannot make
a speech but l do wish to thank and
welcome you gentlemen for your pres
ence at this gathering of Franklin
democracy and simplicity.
Goals gather heat from lying closely
together; friendship is engendered by
association; mutual interest can best be
protected by mutual sympathy.
THE close personal Intercourse be-
tween master and journeyman-the
family-like association and regard
that existed In the days of Mr.. Franklin
have unfortunately been annulled by
modern conditions, and yet the same
degree of mutually of interest exists
today whether We recognize 1t or not
The counting room of a printing plant
cannot suffer a reverse that Is not
reflected in the composing room; noi
can the counting room escape the evil
consequences of an inefficient compos-
Ing room no more than can the right
hand suffer an injury without pain to
the entire body. The organization for
which / am speaking recognizes the
truth of this axiom and stands ever
ready to cooperate, to give the best
that in 1t lies. for the Improvement, the
betterment, the uplift the friendship of
every man who earns his bread through
the medium of the printing press.
Gentlemen, in behalf of the member
ship of Birmingham Typographical Union
104 I welcome you to this commemoration
of the 20Sth anniversary of ye righte good
printer man, Benjamin Franklin.
Gentlemen. 1t now gives me much
pleasure to introduce the toastmaster of
the evening, r. p. Schoppert president of
Birmingham local No. 1oi."
\ Schoppert Takes Chair
Tn taking the chair, Mr.. Schoppert said
sMy friends, have been selected toast
master on this occasion for the reason
that | cannot make a speech. My inability
to talk WIS the principle reason the COM
me for this most pleasant duty, as they
have provided list of speakers that will
entertain you far better than anything
might say. / will take this opportunity
however, to thank you for your presence
this evening and hope you will enjo.
yourselves
The first speaker introduced by the
toa strpaster was E. r. Calhoun, who wa.
assigned the subject of Benjamin Frank
lin"
Mr.. Calhoun prefaced his remarks by
relating a couple of good stories, predicat
ing his later remarks about the life OF
Franklin. Stating he considered Ben.
Jamin Franklin the greatest American
that ever lived, he enumerated many OF
the principles and reforms he advocated
which are being put into practical effeci
today. among them the higher education
of women vegetaranlsm. and other re-
forms that are now in vogue. He spoke
of his shrewdness in passing measures
that the exigencies of the times demanded
even at the expense of being crafty, and
gave brief synopsis of his career In
England and America.
AS the speaker concluded Arthur Ell.
1iott called attention to the fact that Jan
uary 19 was the anniversary of the brit
of General Robert Z. Lee and proposed
. toast to the distinguished southern
leader, which was heartily responded to.
Jeffries on "Ancient History"
w. II. Jeffries was called upon to talk