The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-05
PLANS MADE FOR | ENTERTAINMENT 0F. i STATE MERCHANTS $500 of Desired S30OO for Entertainment Is Sub
 scribed ITO ISSUE NEWSPAPER FOR THE MERCHANTS Convention Will Be August With Trip to Ensley, Ball Game, Theatre. Barbecue and Other
 Amusements

Elaborate plans for the entertain
 ment of the Alabama Merchants asso- citation. which convenes in Birmingham August 26 and 27, were outlined in ten tative form at 8 luncheon given by the Chamber of Commerce to the jobbers and manufacturers of Birmingham at Turnverein hall yesterday at 12s0 o'clock Murray Brown Is chairman of the wholesale trade committee of the chamber and was the principal speaker
 Something like $500 was subscribed yesterday to help pay for the enter tainment of the merchants association.
 Mir. Brown started off the list with a whoop when he gave a subscription of s250.
 Oscar c. Turner struck key note in the meeting when he suggested that a definite goal be set on the fund for the entertainment of the convention and that nothing less than $3000 should be considered. He thought, he said that the Alabama merchants should receive in Birmingham one of the most elborate entertainments ever given here at their second convention to be held. this year. The association was organized in Bir- mingham last August, when something like 1000 Alabama merchants met in Birmingham on the invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce. The mer- chants were so pleased with the enter tainment given them that they organ ized an associa tion and made Birming- ham the permanent meeting place.
 
 The meeting yesterday was for the purpose of deciding upon the form of entertainment to be given them this year and how the money was to be se- cured. MT. Brown outlined tentative plans for the entertainment of the ner- chants, saying they would be given a barbecue at some point convenient to the city; that they would be taken to the ball game; also to the steel plant at Ensley; given tickets to the theatre, and shown over Birmingham's beautiful residence district.
 All this takes money" said MT. Brown, and the wholesale merchants and manufacturers will have to foot the bill. The hotels willsbeneft greatly by such gathering as we expect to have this year and they should contribute to the entertainment fund. The local wholesalers will not try to sell any thing to the visitors, but while here they will probably make many pur- chases, supplying themselves for the fall and winter. The proposition worked out that way last year and the local whole salers and merchants benefited greatly"
 President Shook, presiding, asked for suggestions, James J. Smith indorsed heartily the movement, saying the mer- chants should be shown what Birmine- ham has, and in view of the fact they are going to meet here every year, should be made acquainted with every phase of the citys life.
 K. M. Jackson suggested that a vote be taken of every man present to see how much money could be secured by subscription. Harry B. New, manager of the Motion hotel, subscribed two and half times as much as he did last year, when he was manager of the Metropolitan. He was the only hotel man who made a contribution last year. MT. New said that the convention had redounded greatly to his benefit and thing this year.
 Money Raised
 Every jobber and manufacturer pres ent gave the same amount he subscribed last year and in many instances the amount was materially increased One of the features of this years convention. and one which probably will be an annual event, will be the issuance of paper to be called 'The Alabama Merchant The nrst issue will be placed in the mails on Auly 15. the second on August 15 and if 1t Is possible to issue a third edition 1t will come out on September 15 and will contain the full proceedings of the con venkfon.
 It is expected that the convention of the Alabama merchants will mean that Bir- mingham will be visited by something like 300 or 1900 live merchants of Alabama in August. New officers are to be elected this year and the interest in the meetin q VIII be very great among the merchants
 Every wholesaler, every manufacturer and every hotel in Birmingham will be asked to help bear the expense of entep- taining the visitors. The tentative pla n . may be changed, but 1t will be only to make them more elaborate. The fund Will be made 5000. and if there 10 any money left over 1t will be returned to the on pro rata basis.
 Al the luncheon yesterday much abtt,,r- siasm was manifested in the forthcomfne = All the principal wholesa ie