The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-28
Convention Adjourns After "War Matinee" at The
 Tutwiler Last Night
SOLVENT CREDITS
 TAX CONDEMNED
Meeting Ends in Laughter and Cheers. Brown and Jones Make Short Speeches-State Fair Is h.
 dorsed

Amid rousing cheers the Alabama Mer- chants association last night in the huge banquet hall of the Tutwiler hotel. re- elected w. W. Ogden of Sulfigent presi. dent and gave him a vote of thanks for his services. There were probably 50I people in the hall, the overflow crowd go. ing to the balcony.
 The other officers. elected last nigh, were; W. L. Waters Alexander City first vice president Oliver Hall, Collins vile, second vice president; Nose Hill Fossil. third vice president. Members ol the board of directors. whose terms expire within year: G. Scott Leath, Cullman; J. R. Wilson. Woodward; A. J. Powers Greensboro; J. B. Patterson, I4acon: J J. Pope, Guin; C. w. Hammett, Syla- cauga. Members of the board of direc- tors whose terms expire in two years: ]. c. Dunn. Linden; O. c. Moore, Union Springs; J. c. Weaver. Lineville; J. H. Walston, Russellville; w. I. Mullins. Clanton; R. s. Jones, Carrollton.
 N. s. Gage probably will be named treasurer to succeed himself by the di- rectors It is thought also that Secre- tary Radcliffe and Assistant Secretary Everett will be retained by the associa- ton.
 Condemns Solvent Credits
 Chief among the resolutions adopted was one of the protests against the law pro viding for the taxation of solvent cred its in it's present shape. The merchants, following the ideas expressed by Charles F. Riice, believe in solvent credit taxa ton if the operation of it is made so as not to cause on merchant to bear more than his share of the burden The gist of the resolution was contained in the last two paragraphs, which read Tt is the sense of this association that the present laws taxing solvent credits are unwise, unjust and discriminatory and detrimental to the best interests of the people of the state
 It is highly important that the present laws taxing solvent credits be revised or repealed. and to that end the president shall appoint a committee of 10 to rec ommend to the next legislature changes in the pl esent laws taxing solvent credits I"
 The resolution earned unanimously and the president of the association will name
 
 Another resolution asked that the legis- lature make such changes as are neces- sary in the laws of the state to reduce the exemption from seizure of homestead q property to 5000, and that of personal property by one-fourth. The present law iii this regard provides that homestead property up to value of 5000 may not be taken to justify @ claim and on per- sonal property the limit is $2o0O
 The Alabama State Fair WAS unani- mously indorsed and the convention pledged to do all in it's power to aid in the making of a success of 1t, by visiting Birmingham to attend the fair in Septem- Der by asking their neIgnpors to visit the fair.
 The Panama-Pacific exposition to be held in San Francisco next year, was indorsed, and the efforts of the Alabama commission to raise money with which to prepare an exhibit from Alabama in- dorsed. The resolution was to the effect that Alabama should have a creditable srowing because of it's position in the southern states and because of the im- mense resources within It's borders.
 A resolution thanking the Chamber of Commerce, those who addressed the con- Vention, Murray Brown, Harry Jones. President Ogden and Secretary Radcliffe unanimously carried.
 Brown Makes Speech
 Just before the refreshments were served. general call for Murray Brown was heard. MT. Brown attempted to reach the door, but the call had grown to roar and many friendly hands pulled him back and placed him before the audi ence, which he had helped to entertain so royalty. He refusbd to make a speech T am very glad you people come to visit us and hope you'll give us a chance to entertain you next year, was all he said
 The call for Harry Jones then came. MT. Jones was in the rear of the banquet hall, where the meeting was held, and he yelled; T second Mir. Browns mo- uon." The applause was dearening.
 Refreshments were next in order Two long tables had been well laden with sandwiches, buttermilk, lemonade and water. The delegates lined up and every man did full justice to the light repast Many discussed the entertainment that had been prepared for them and not a lew talked of the solvent credit taxation which was protested against in a reso- lution.
 The convention closed with fun and laughter. Every merchant who came appeared to be satisfied with the event. AS Norman Il. Johnson, in last minute talk put it, they had been to a sum- mer school and had learned much; they will come back to Birmingham next year prepared to learn more and to do more 10 advance the merchant of Alabama, as Well as the people as a whole
 Murfay BroWn voiced the sentiments or all who helped in entertaining the dele gates when he said: Birmingham was glad of the opportunity"