The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-16
HARDING WOULD NOT.
ACCEPT NOMINATION
Declnies to Consider Second
Term as Chamber Head
WILL MEET TONIGHT
Nominating Committees to Be Named
and Other Important Matters Taken
Up-Much Speculation as to
Who will Be Next President

By far the most interesting event In
Chamber of Commerce circles yester-
day was President w. p. G. Harding's
announcement that he would not con-
slider denomination as president of
the chamber. Many of Mr.. Harding 5
friends had talked about his being NOM
mated as president of the chamber for
n second term and there was a strong
sentiment in his favor among the
members of the civic body. Mr. Hard
ins's statement that he would not stand
FOR reelection was made to set at rest
the many rumors of his candidacy
AT o'clock tonight the entire mem-
hership of the Chamber of Commerce
will assemble in the auditorium at that
building for the purpose of choosing a
nominating committee, discussing the
possibilities of getting for Birming
ham one of the regional banks pro-
yided for under the new currency law,
and to discuss other matters of general
interest. 1t was expected that the NOM
mating committee named tonight
would place Mr. Harding in the field
for the presidency and it was also con-
sidered a pretty sure thing that Oscar
C. Turner would also be nominated. An
exciting race was looked for. Mr.. Hard
ing's statement has given rise to much
gossip among the members and the in
terest is high. 1t IS said that the lar
gest meeting of the civic body yet held
will be that of this evening.
Several Mentioned as Candidates
Among the most prominently men,
toned candidates now being considered
by speculative members of the chamber
are j. d. Moore of the Moore & Hand
ley Hardware Co.. Oscar C. Turner,
vice president OF the chamber. Paschal
G. Shook. who was chairman of tho
auditorium committee of the chamber,
and Murray Brown. chairman of the
wholesale trade committee. Crawford
Johnson, second vice president of the
chamber, will. it is thought, either be
placed on the ticket for the presi-
dency or else be promoted to the first
vice presidency.
If J. d. Moore and Oscar C. Turner
are placed in the field as competitive
candidates for the presidency, warm
and close race is looked for. Both of
the prospective candidates have many
friends. Paschal G. Shook is considered
strong probability for the presidency
and should he be nominated it would
adj zest to the campaign.
One of the most important things to
be taken up at the meeting tonight is
that of the securing of a regional bank.
w. II. Kettig, chairman of the regional
bank committee of the chamber, is to
make talk along this line telling the
members of the chamber how best to
go about securing the bank. Mr. Ket-
tig will urge upon the members the
necessity of cooperation of each in
dividual and stress the Importance of
keeping everlastingly at 1t until the
moment the decision is announced
That Birmingham has a good chance
of securing one of the regional banks
is not doubted. 1t Is said to be the most
convenient point In a district compris-
Ing six states and can be reached in n
nights ride from the remotest point in
the territory.
Williams Friend of Birmingham
The appointment OF John SHELTON
Williams as comptroller of the treas
ury and ex officio member of the fed
eral reserve board Is considered the
best thing that could have been done by
the President in that regard. Mr.. will
liams is considered by Birmingham
people to belong to this city and has
many friends here, who believe in his
stability. While it is not believed that
Mr.. Williams would let his friendship
for this city overshadow his Judgment
in the matter of selecting a point for a
regional bank, the fact that he knows
conditions here and knows that Bir-
mingham is the best situated city in
the south for such a bank will it is
believed. have great weight In the ulti-
mate selection.
The currency bill is considered by
bankers to be one of the greatest pieces
of constructive legislation that has in
years been enacted. Its effect upon the
Birmingham district 1t is thought, will
be for the best and 1t Is for this rea-
son that Birmingham wants the re
gional bank.
One of the prime reasons advanced
by Mr.. Kettig as to why every either,
in the city should work to secure ths
bank is that 1t will mean that some :
thing like 1850 bankers throughout the
regional reserve district will visit the
city about twice a month; will transact
all their business through this city and
will come here for the purpose of bor-
rowing money as they need It,