The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-10
CREDIT MEN ARE
 BANQUET GUESTS.
Officers of National AssO-
 citation Are Here
COMMENDS TARIFF
Charles E. Meek. New York Banker, Says He Regards Currency and Tariff Laws as Most Con
 structive Ever Enacted

Last night at a banquet al the Southern club the local Merchants and Manufacturers association, or Credit Mems association. had as their guests President F. R. Salisbury of the Nat ional Association of Credit Men, Of Minneapolis. Charles F, Meek, vice rresident of the national association and vice president of the Fourth Nat ional Bank of New York, and Presl- dent Carpenter of the New orleans Credit Mems association. President R. A. Porter of the local association presided and called upon the visitors for addresses.
 President Salisbury in his address told of the growth of the credit men from a very small beginning in lS96' to about 1S.00O members at the present time He told of the work of the as- sociation and said that it was not only beneficial to business men but was d real factor in the business of the en- tire country. He stressed the impor- 1ance of team work on the part of all members of the national association, which is made up of the many local associations, and especially called to mind the fact that attending conven- 1ions was helpful. He asked President Porter of the local association to see to it that d full delegation from Bir mingham was present at the next an- nual convention of the national body, which is to be held at Rochester N. Y.. in June of this year.
 Vice President Meek followed Mir. Salisbury and h's address. while rather drawn out, held the close attention of his hearers all through.
 Among others things, MT. Meek said: "The new tariff law went into effect without causing any general disturb ance. This, l believe. proves that we are beginning to adjust ourselves to new conditions before they are actual 1y in existence. Those most likely to be affected by the new law prepared themselves for the new conditions it would create months in advance of it's passage"
 MT. Meek paid a high tribute to Oscar W. Underwood, although he did not mention his name. when he said "Gentlemen, l think the present ad- ministration has produced wonder II, and I think the country Is very for tunate indeed that a man of such broad views, so far-seeing and a man so pre- eminently honest as the gentleman who represents this district in the halls of Congress bore a large part of the burden. We people in New York have got so We admire the constructive statesmen who come out of the south and we of the north have felt it was our duty to fall in line and throw our efforts behind their work"
 The speaker referred to the newly enacted currency law as one of the greatest pieces of constructive legis- 1ation ever passed. "It is as perfect a piece of work as could possibly have been produced under existing condi- tions. l believe the new law will un. doubtedly have a most beneficial in- fluence upon business in general and it will greatly minimize the danger of panics."
 He attacked the income measure saying: q believe that an income tax under the proper regulations is a good thing. But l believe that the present law was enacted rather hastily. One of the most objectionable features of the measure is the provision which calls for collection at the source of the income. 1t is unpleasant to have the doubtful honor of tax collector placed upon me. department off. cial is quoted as saying that the gov ernment would have to depend upon the honesty of the people in collecting the tax this year, which was as mucn as to say that the law will have us all In its clutches in years to come.
 The national administration has given to the country d great deal Of constructive legislation and could now. in my opinion, give us a breathing spell The five brothers, as five pend ing bills have been designated, could very easily be laid away in the nur- sery for awhile"
 The speaker told of the work of the National Credit Mems association in the preliminary wor kof the passage of the currency bill. saving that d com ttee from the body had been given an entire day to testify before a con Rresional committee. He also touched and not lightly, upon certain classes of collection agencies, especially those that take accounts and advance a cer- tain sum Of money upon them, taking heir interest after the account had been collected.
 He spoke of Birmingham as one of the fastest growing cities in the south and said that he noticed great change in the city's physical condition since his last visit here some years ago.
 President Carpenter of the New Or leans Credit Mems association spoke next and laid before the banqueters the matter of securing more members and making the credit men even more of a factor in the business world than they now are.
 The visitors will remain here today leaving for New Orleans tonight.