The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-02-13

affairs or note during the year They in- clude tho dinner in honor of MT Fairfax Harrison. new president of the Southern railway, and the annual dinner at which NIT w. r. G. Harding was guest of 1 honor
 Perhaps nothing has brought out more clearly the growth of the cooperative and get-together spirit than the strenuous campaign for the Methodist university. Though we failed of our object the good results of the effort made still are ap- parent and will remain In the campaign were found touching elbows, men who never before had worked togetlier and they came from all parts of Greater Bir- mingham. from East Lake to Fairfield, 1 from North BiI mingham to Red noun tain, and on beyond the city's limits to Bessemer.
 Tn passing, it may be noted that our wholesale trade committee has devel- oped, in the Alabama Merchants asso- citation, the largest organization of the | kind, in a similar length of time, in any l of the states It's value to Birmingha can hardly be estimated.
 "A live factor during the year has been | the Board of Trade division. It has grown in membership in 1914 from 79 to
 1s1 firms and individuals. This splendid gain is due to the tireless energy of I President Ewing and his capable asso- | ciates on the executive board and the various committees.
 l "Efforts have been made to secure the utilization of merchants in the different lines of business and the recent coming
 in of the Birmingham Furniture Dealers | association is result.
 l Having it's inception in the Board of Trade, the solvent credits movement was a notable event. Feeling the injustice 1 of present law, some 23O individuals and l firms joined to test it. and after the de- | cisfon of the state supreme court was 1 rendered the movement gathered addi- l tional force in the formation of the Jeff ferson County Tax league, which later
 became an active factor in the Tax Re- l form league of Alabama.
 1 Mention must be made of the Buy-a- Bale club, whose purposes are well known
 It succeeded in disposing of 15O bales of
 cotton, and fulfilled its mission.
 "The peoples auditorium has not been
 constructed as yet, but this is due to the l fact that it has been necessary to await
 an act of the legislature making an audi
 torium legally public building, upon | which bonds can be issued
 Cooperation With City "A signal recognition of the standing of this body recently has been given by | the city commissioners. Upon their invi- ta tion President Shook co-operated in the l selection of members of the committee of 100. chosen to devise means of meeting obligations of the city, and a plan of future operation. This harmony between the executive heads of this city and its | largest civic body is gratifying and a hopeful augury of the future.
 Birmingham means to have one of the | federal reserve board banks, when the matter is thrown open by the directors of the reserve bank in the southeastern ter ritory Your banks and banking commit
 tee is giving this matter careful atten- l ton, and Birrningham's application has
 been made in a formal manner, and Di- rector Kettig of the reserve bank will advise us when further action becomes necessary.
 Commentator is due to the member ship committee for it's excellent showing Prevented by conditions from conduct. ing a general campaign, nevertheless il reports a total of 13 new members, and a good margin of new members over res ignations received These latter necessar- lily were increased because of continued
 abnormal business conditions Tota
 membership is 1042. Death has laid 8
 heavy hand upon our membership durins ! 1914 as the report of the committee
 makes plain.
 Though suffering along with all othe,
 institutions and concerns. our finances fol the year make a creditable showing. Rs. r ceipts of the general fund were $9079, and l those of the special fund were $S1O7, mak ing total receipts for the year $1S, JOSS. Relations between the Chamber oi Commerce and other civic bodies are o1 l, the most cordial nature, and acknowledg } ment hereby is gladly made of co-opera ation and assistance given this body during 1914 by the Business Mems league r Rotary club, Ad club, Builders Exchange
 and Real Estate exchange.
 l' But chief among the se-opszating fae