The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-12-08

ton of a new Chamber Of Commerce, the adoption of resolutions indOrsing the proposed constitutional amendment for Birmingham, the election of a nominating committee to suggest officers for the en- suing year, the report of the campaign committee, the reading in part of the new constitution for the chamber, were among the features of the monthly meet ing of the Birmingham Chamber of Com merce, held last night at the Tutwiler hotel.
 President Crawford Johnson was in the chair and was particularly apt in his in troductory remarks and in introducing the several speakers. During the count of the vote for a nominating committee, talks were made by F. l. Derby of the Alabama Cattlemens association; Robert Jemison. Sr., R. A. Brown, Senator Frank S White. H. M. Butler of New York, and others.
 Fully 300 old and new members of the chamber were present and much interest was taken in the business that came up for discussion. A fine cordial spirit was manifest throughout the meeting, which was entirely representative.
 Probably the most striking feature of the meeting was the address by Sydney J. Bowie in support of his resolution that the chamber indorse the proposed constitutional amendment. Ably and forcefuly he presented the reasons why the proposed amendment should carry, stating that it simply gave to the people the right to govern themselves in the question of taxation and that to indorse in the people to vote for increased taxation, but gave them the privilege to say wheth- CT the taxes should be raised not. He emphasized the fact that in the event the amendment carried, no vote proposing to raise the tax rate could be had until the method of tax equalization now Tn force had been fairly tried out, and that if the tax raise was made every dollar of it would be spent in and for Birmlng- ham. At the conclusion of his address, President Johnson put the resolution to Vote and it carried without dissenting vote. The resolution follows:
 Resolved, That this chamber does
 hereby heartily indorse the proposed
 constitutional amendment for B1rmlng-
 ham to be voted on at special cleo
 ton to be held December 27, 1915, and
 the president of this chamber De ana
 ne is hereby authorized and directed
 to appoint a campaign committee to
 act in conjunction with any similar
 committee which may be appointed by
 ether bodies to conduct an active cam
 paign for the amendment in the city, the county and the state.'
 President Johnson, in ms opening re- marks stated the purposes of the meet ing and called on J. Frank Rushton, chairman of the special committee on new members, for a report on the cam paien MT Rushton stated the campaign had been very satisfactory, and that he had had the hearty cooperation oI over l50 members who worked on the commit tees during the campaign. He stated that 1200 new members had been secured which gave the chamber an income of over S30OO0 yearly for three years and that many prospective members were In sight, and that he hoped by January l to increase the membership to l4O0 or 1900 The report of Mir. Rushton was re- ceived with much applause. About 50 additional members were reported py Secretary Radcliffe and members of the chamber.
 MT. Rushton was taken by surprise when J. w. Donnelly on behalf of the chamber presented him with a solid sil- yer pitcher and cup as a token of appre- citation for his faithful and unselfish work for the advancement of the cause. MT. Donnelly paid a fine tribute to his worth and energy. In responding MT. Rushton spoke with feeling, stating he valued the many kind words spoken as he did the splendid gift.
 DEFER FINAL ACTION
 In reference to the adoption of the new constitution President Johnson stated that the committee decided that 1t would be the better plan to postpone taking final action on it's adoption last night until the January meeting as it was new plan, and that the members should be given an opprtunity to read it and make such suggestions or amend- merits as they thought necessary. MT. Bowie, chairman of the committee, sug- gests that the secretary read such parts of the constitution as referred to the new organization. This brought about a general discussion and it was finally de- eided to have the proposed constitution printed and copy mailed to every mem- Der, and that any proposed amendment be made on or before January 5 in order that the committee might have it ready for the regular meeting of the cham Der.
 The election of a nominating commit tee to suggest officers for the ensuing year was held, and the following se- ected as the committee W. M. Cosby, Robert Jemison, Sr., Jonn E. Shelby George A. Blinn, Jr, R. A. Brown F. H Andrews and w. T, Estes.
 While the votes were being counted r. ]. DeTDNs OI 1OTk, one oI lue lUOSl noted cattle raisers in the state, made most interesting address on the cat tie industry of the state. He said the time had comaTfnen the cattle and hog raising wou. Se t:ie salvation of the state for cotton growing was on the decline.
 He stated that with the cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce the cat tle and hog rasers of the state coul6 put live stock exhibit on at the next State Fair that would equal those o1 the international association of Chicago ENDORSES DERBY'S REMARKS
 Robert Jenlison, Sr., indorsed the state nents of MT. Derby, stating he had wis ted his plant in Sumter county, and that his herds of cattle were as fine as any m the United States.
 R. A. Brown, president of the State Fair association, also indorsed the propo stion of Mr. Derby, and outlined the plan whereby the live stock exhibit al he next State Fair could rival the great stock shows of the northwest, ane asked the cooperation of the chamber ir the movement.
 Senator Frank S. White was called ipon to speak on the location of a mu a,tions plant in this district, and wa.