The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-13
Convention Committees Report

our fiscal year about 50 per cent more conventions than were held here during the previous year, having been about SO large and small gatherings There was an article in one of our papers carly in January of this year es- ! tmating the delegates entertained dur ing 1914 at 25,o00. and cash spent by these delegates as approximately s525, coco. This information was obtained largely from the Chamber of Commerce, and is as ac- curate as such an estimate be made. This is in concrete form and shows how valuable conventions are. Without burdening this report with a lengthy list we mention few of the 1 conventions that have visited us, some for the first time. and who expressed themselves as greatly pleased: "American Iron and Steel institute. Phi. Delta Theta fraternity Southern Textile association "E,lectrcal Supply Jobbers' associa- ton.
 Ala bama Educational association. "Alab bama State Fair. Alabama Merchants association. Alabama Farmers union. No doubt we can count on these and a large percentage of the other gather ings coming back to us in the near fu- ture. A partial list for 1915 includes the follG wing:
 Alabama Bankers association. Southern Cattlemen's association. Tri-State I4umbermens association. Alabama Baptist Laymen. Alabama State fair. Alabama Merchants association. Southern Commercial Secretaries as- sociation.
 Greeters association fone day) We can never hope to be really large convention city until liberal fund is guara nteed and regular organization employed. Our committee. acting for the Chamber of Commerce, have solicited a number of conventions for their 1915 and 1916 meetings. with some measure of suc- cess; this without expending much money Presently we shall have a big audi torium and will be in working shape for keeping it actively used. In the mean time we will be increasing our conven- tions of considerable size and import ance; certainly many more than we can hope to have without such solicitation" Report on Auditorium II. K. Milner, chairman of the audi torium committee reported in part as follows:
 "A bill has been prepared by Captain Boyd, the city attorney, with the assist
 ence of John B. Weakley, giving the city
 of Birmingham the right to issue secu-
 rites for the construction of an audito-
 
 two gentlemen named, who will no doubt
 see that it receives proper attention and
 is passed at the present session of the leg sature. When that shall have been done the people of Birmingham will be in po- stion to act definitely and positively on this question"
 New Industries Reported J. A. Wilson. chairman of the indus trial committee, reported in part as follows:
 "Your industrial committee desires
 to report that though the year 1914 be- gan with promising industrial inquiries
 which were promptly investigated the
 cotton crop situation and the breaking
 out of war in Europe caused an ab- rupt cessation of prospects. Among new plants which have come to Birmingham up to the time of mak- ing this report, may be mentioned the American Tar Products company at Woodward and the Birmingham Excel sior company at North Birmingham Men from North Carolina have pur- chased land and are planning to con struct new ice factory. "The co<mittee has pleasure iii re" porting that the box factory of the
 Birmingham Paper company and the
 plant of the Furnas Ice Cream com
 pany, which were just entering upon
 operation at the close of the previous
 administration of this body, are run
 hing upon a satisfactory basis and have
 proved most desirable additions to our
 industrial community.
 About the time of the declaration
 of war two or three very desirable in-
 dustries were favorably considering
 coming to Birmingham, but the situ
 ation has not permitted of a successful
 closing of these matters"
 Deceased Members
 The resolution contained in the report
 of the committee on membership, d.
 D. Rosenberger, chairman, on the
 deaths of members is as follows; "The sands of the past year have
 not run their course without sorrow
 The immortal reaper has visited our organization and stricken down nine of our colaborers and friends. Be 1t resolved, That in the death Of Messrs. John l.. Parker, Fred Nappi John Antwine, J. l.. Haehnlen, D. w. Drennen. W. w. Burroughs, T. o. Byrne, o. z. Neill. J. B. Robbins. First our membership has lost the services of ardent workers and the community valuable and honorable cit izens.
 Second. that we send to the imme- diatc families of the deceased copy of this resolution" Shocks Work Praised The following resolution was intro duced by l.. Sevier: That, whereas, Mr. P. c. Shook, hav- ing filled the presidency of the Cham Der of Commerce for the last preceding year; and,
 Whereas, in filling that important position involving the interest, we'll fare and wellbeing of the citizens of Birmingham and especially the busi- | ness interests, he has displayed and exercised great tact, judgment anu ex- ecutive ability; and, Whereas. in his retiring and turn ing over to his successor the admin l istration of the affairs of the Cham Der of Commerce, now, '"rherefore, be it resolved: First, that the Chamber of Com
 merce does hereby tender to MT. P. G. Shook its thanks and it's congratula- tions for the able efficient and impar- tfal manner in which he performed the
 duties incumbent upon him for the