The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-15


 ident James Keith of Anniston; the Alabama Farmers union will probably appoint committee. and Chambers of Commerce throughout the south have been invited by the Birmingham cham Der to send delegates or committees to Birmingham to hear MT. Harding's address and participate in conference with him on the cotton situation
 May Have Separate Conference
 It is probable that the committees will make such large delegation that separate conference between them and MT. Harding will be held aside from his address to the Alabama Mer- member of the federal reserve board in charge of the new national cur rency system, has come to be regard ed as the leading cotton authority of the country. From natural course of events he appears to have taken the lead in the extraordinary conditions that have affected the cotton situa- ton since the beginning of the Eu- ropean war and his presence in Bir- mingham August 25 will probably bring to focus any extraordinary plans that are to be made to handle the cotton crop this fall. Mir Harding nas assured Chairman Murray Brown that he will come and address the con- vention and it is probable that he will come here direct from Washington. re . turning the following day.
 Chairman Brown announced yester- day that MT. Hardings address before the convention on Wednesday night, August 25, would be public and cit izens of Birmingham interested would be welcome to attend. The speech will deal with the cotton situation and will pe made at the Bijou theatre.
 Chairman Brown announced yester- day also that he had signed up con- tracts with four river steamers to transport the big crowd of delegates down the Warrior river to Lock IF and return Thursday, August 26, which will be the big entertainment feature of the merchants convention. The boats secured are the Martha Hennen the Swan, the Myrtle, and the John Quill
 Arrangements have been made for a big supper to be served at the lock when the crowd arrives and the re- turn trip will be made by moonlight, the crowd getting back to Birmingham about 10 o'clock. Over 1900 accept ances to the formal invitations have been received and indications are that the biggest convention crowd In the
 
 three days meeting.
 "The Alabama Merchant" the news paper published by the Alabama Mer. chants association, annually, will come off the press tomorrow and probably be mailed out to the 10000 merchants of the state the following day. The lit- tie paper this year Is said to be more attractive than eyer, with fully illus trated stories of the coming convention and pawa If inc associatf0n
 Programme Is Announced
 The complete programme, announced yesterday for the first time. will be as follows:
 Tuesday, August 24-Merchants regis ter at headquarters in Chamber of Com merce building and receive badge and coupon book Twelve noon Barbecue in auditorium at East Lake park. All park attractions free. Music by brass band. Address of welcome by Crawford .I Johnson, president Birmingham Cham Der of Commerce. Response by Presi- dent w. w. ogden of the Alabama Mer- chants association. Appointment of resolutions and nominating committees. S p. m: Executive session of convention in Bijou theatre; only members of Ala Lama MeErA 1its' association admitted. Address b,@As adge A E. Chamberlain of Chicago 2on Why the Merchant Should Help the Farmer Market His Crops" Address by Mrs. G. H. Mathis of Gads- den. Some Results of the Diversified Farming Campaign in Alabama" Ad- dress by Vice President w. L. Waters of Alexander City, Stopping the Leaks Address by Norman H. Johnson of Richmond, Va. editor Merchants Journal of Commerce. Election of of- ficers. Morning and afternoon open for delegates to visit hankers jobhers. manufacturers and movie" theatres.
 " ednesday-DelegaLes may spend