The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-05-03


 persons passed through the bank on the Inspection trip. From the opening hour yesterday until the business hours were over and all of yesterday afternoon and until midnight last night the place was thronged with interested spectators, friends of the bank and well wishers of the officials.
 The officers of the bank after the busi- ness hours were oyerrpersonally conducted those who visited the bank into the busi- ness spaces, into the vaults, and all over the place, in order that the fullest view could be obtained of modern banking house. There was not a discordant event connected with the entire reception Every one was enthusiastic over the arrange ments and the beauty of the place. it's modern equipment, and the unexampled safeguards that have been provided.
 Record in Construction
 The first column in the 25-story sky scraper was placed on March 14 last year, so that the banks occupancy of the bank ing rooms was record in skyscraper construction in the south. The offices in the building were occupied in October of last year, while the press club on top of the building went into it's rooms Feb ruary 23 of this year.
 The officials of the Jefferson County bank received telegrams of congratula- tions from several cities in the south yes- terday, as 1t was known that the new home would be ready for business yester- day. One of the telesrams from the offi- cers of the Hibernia bank in New Or leans is typical of the scores received and is as follows: 4s
 hao lot tff,,, <7 best wishes. May your success continue in your new home. J. B. PI;<E.''
 The citizens of Birmingham did not forget the officials in congratulations. The entire lobby space of the bank was bower of flowers, sent by varius friends of the bank in this city. One beautiful boquet was sent by the. officials of the American Trust and Savings bank, which institution has only been in it's new home short while. occupying it's 20-story build ing. The Birmingham clearing house sent gorgeous boquet of roses, while Major Weston, the F. w. Mark Construc- tion company. and many others sent flow CTS for the opening.
 A replica of the skyscrapert done in flowers r feet high. was striking floral offering.
 President Enslen of the bank exhibited memorandum from the oldest depositor of the bank, P. E. McAlister. with con- siderable qualification. The message was written on the reverse side of deposit slip for 5000, and read as follows: Il deposited $2000 on the opening day of the old bank 29 years ago. and this deposit of $2000 today on the opening of the new bank Is proof that am well satisfied with the Jefferson County Savings bank and its officers. Yours very truly.
 ''P., D. McALLIsTER." nr~h n~f~~ s~ Af<c~urr~ Yesterday afternoon an orchestra was stationed on the mezzanine floor of the bank and played during thte afternoon. The officials remained at the bank last night and at g o'clock every light on the building was turned on for the first time from the banking rooms to the press club promenade. The illuminated build ing was an attractive scene last night. 1 The Jefferson County bank was organ ized in 1885 by c. F. Enslen as president with a capital of $5oO0o. It has steadily grown since that time until its position now in southern banking circles is one to be envied very much. The organizer and first president 'of the bank. @. F. Enslen. Is chairman of the board, havina passed hls S5th birthday few weeka ago. He was at the opening yesterday and was an interested beholder Of what his younger officers had done in the elab- crate treatment of the banking rooms. l He has since the beginning of the con struction on the 25-story building been an | interested watcher of developments. but l it is believed that even his anticipationa were exceeded. Mir. Enslen said that Il !! was a fine piece of work, and he was ex- ltremsly proud of 1t. He. started In Bir- i mingham akh hlacf smith. and has by re l 1ra kable business judgment achieved | great thingS In thIn (1iatrict. The oilvet. haired veteran vno'4tbo cynoeufo of q@