The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-06-25
Became Private Citizen Yes
terday and J. H. Barr
Became President of
First National
AFFECTING SCENE
AS PRESENTATION
WAS MADE BY MOORE
Major Tutwiler Formally Made Chair
man of Board At Regular Quar-
terly Meeting of Directors
Held Yesterday

Upon the retirement of William Proctor
Gould Harding yesterday, as president of
the First National bank he was presented
with a silver dessert service by the stock
holders ond directors. which IS said to be
the most costly and most elegant gift
ever presented anyone by an institution
H. the south.
Following a meeting of the board of di-
reotors which received and accepted the
resignation of Mr. Harding, who is to
take place on the federal reserve board,
the presentation was made by 3. f. Moore
on behalf of the board.
AT the meeting j. II. Barr was elected
president and Major E. M. Tutwiler was
elected chairman of the board. This ac-
ton was scheduled and went through as
it was forecast by the directors in a
statement issued some weeks ago upon
the occasion of some speculation as to
whom would be given the presidency of
the First National.
Regular Quarterly Meeting
The meeting yesterday was ;ne regular
quarterly one. Mr.. Harding presided for
the last time. MIR. Barr retired from the
room for a few moments when shortly
Culpepper Exum and John L. Kaul came
out to escort the new president into the
midst of his directors. Mr.. Barr was
rather nervous. He was taken by the
right arm by Mr.. Kaul and by the left
by by Culpepper Exum. And within a
moment those waiting outside with all
patience despite the heat. heard vocifer-
xrbi ob ri cd the formal
election of Mr. Barr In a few moments
Mr. Harding emerged from the room as
Mr. Harding citizen and not Mr..
Harding. president"
He glanced keenly at large long table
shrouded with white sheet. He may
or may not have suspected that he was
about to face a presentation. In min
Ute or two Crawford Johnson, the young
est director both in service and age,
emerged from the room and then came
Major Tutwiler and Mr.. Moore and Frs
kline Ramsay and Eugene l.. Brown as
we'll as others. In the meantime Miss
Elizabeth Harding, the eldest daughter
of Mr.. Harding, came in. She, by the
way had known of the $1,000 silver service
for two weeks and faithfully kept the
secret, thus shattering the old tradition
about women being unable TO keep
secrets.
Mr.. Moore Makes Presentation
Mr. Moore walked past Mr.. Harding,
and started to talk. Joseph Thompson
and Ed Herzog, the jewellers who
caused the service to be made, lifted
the shrowd from the table. And there
We're displayed beautiful silver pieces
to the number of SO.
Mr., 10 OLE first the sill
yer service and then at Mr.. Moore In
moment he drew from his right coat
pocket a handkerchief He swiftly
brushed away something from his right
eye He almost staggered against the
jasper marble slab surrounding the
desk of Harry Addison, his secretary
And thus, mute, dazed and almost una
BILE to control his emotions he heard
these words.
"A committee was appointed to Sc
cure for Mr.. Harding token of our
affection and regard" said Mr.. Moore
slowly. and with emphasis.
THAT committee was composed of
Major Tutwiler, Robert Jemison. ST.
w H. Hassinger and Mr.. Barr.
This duty ] am performing comes
with age, as all honors do. Although
am not the Oldest director on the
board / am the oldest in point of ser
vice in the city now. The real old one
civilian Smith Brown is with his
bride en- route. | dare say to the gale
ties of Paris. | was, therefore, direct
ed to perform this duty. If age in
years had counted, | dare say Ramsay
or Barr would have been selected.
Everyone here knows the result OF
your work. You have been at the
head OF this bank IL years. In all sue
eessful business institutions there is
one man who stands out as the guiding
influence. 1t Is to such men that asso-
ciates look for results. The work of
this bank, its service to the community
and your work are we'll known. You
came here when this Institution was in
a less attractive condition than at pres
ent. as we all know. You have guided
1t through trial and travail. You have
ministered the affairs of the bank with
mastery direction, and you have ere
ated an institution that is of greatness
and worth to this community In your
concentration here, Mr. Harding, you
have found time to perform the duties
of good citizen and a public spirited
man. You leave us to accept work in
broader field. Our tenderest regard