The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-29

and were ready to plunge into the WORN
of cooperating with the board, was evil
denced by the expressions from every
witness put on the stand.
On account of lack of time more than
two-thirds of the witnesses invited to
testify before the board went away I'M
heard, while in all score or more farm
ers, bankers and business men were ex-
amined.
Despite the fact that the representa-
tives who came to be heard by the board
were not heard, thereby leaving much
valuable information behind, the hearing
was strictly an agricultural one, and
is believed to have been one of the pest
presented to the board on their tour. No
attempt at oratory was made by banker,
farmer or demonstration agent. The
board signified that they desired first
hand information regarding the agricul-
tural status of the state, and it was
furnished them right off the bat.
SPIRIT OF LIBERALITY
Never was Birmingham spirit of lib
crafty more demonstrated than at the
meeting yesterday, when the committee
as a whole, and those representing the
agricultural interests of this section, laid
aside selfish desire for Birmingham TO
have the location of the bank and urged
that it be given to the farmers of this
state and not to any one city.
The fact that Alabama is the central
location for the district as proposed by
the committee, was brought out in strong,
impressive terms, but little emphasis Tor
the bank, especially for birmingham,
was made other than that outlined by the
committee in the brief However, every
body testifying was for Birmingham, and
said SO.
Straight questions and answers, brought
out STRAIGHTFORWARD information regard
ing the agricultural interests of the state
and proposed district.
UNDERWOOD SPEAKS
After explaining the federal farm loan
act Chairman Norris called upon Sena-
tor Oscar w. Underwood for an express
sion, Senator Underwood took the floor
amid a general ovation.
while L did not come down here to
make an argument for the location OF
this bank in Birmingham, or in any other
city, said Senator Underwood, I am
glad of the opportunity to thank the
board for coming to Birmingham and
Alabama. 1 regret very much, as does
every other southerner, that we did not
have a southerner appointed on the board.
However, I congratulate the appointing
committee for the selection of the board
we have.
agricultural conditions cannot be
learned second hand. The conditions of
New England, or the west are not the
conditions in Alabama or in the south;
therefore, we felt the Importance of hav-
ing southern man on the board. who
was ip personal touch with the condi-
tons of the south.
''Inasmuch as we did not get a man on
the board. I appeal to YOU who compose
the board. with the confidence that the
board will act with the same fairness
that we would have received had there
been southerner appointed. No selec-
ton that the board will make will be
of more importance, or will be of as
much benefit to any section as to the
south.
with the development of the farm loan
system, there faces us a new era in agrl-
cultural development in the south. I am
MOI making an argument for any city,
for there would be but little benefits to
a city to obtain this bank, except for
the honor, but what am interested in
is the question of agricultural develop
ment and uplift in this state ana the
south as a whole, and not decorating some
city with a bank. Somewhere within the
cotton belt you will establish one of these
banks. If this is the case and you con-
clude to establish the bank within this
line. then Alabama would be the center
location, and a point more accessible
than any other point or state
WELLS PRESENTS CASE
Following Senator Underwood's talk,
Oscar Wells chairman of the local COM
1nittee, presented Birmngham's claim for
the bank, in the form af we'll assem-
bled brief. Mr.. Wells discussed, in an
impressive manner, the points covered in
the brief, of which The Age-Herald car
ried a synopsis yesterday morning
Aside from his welcome speech to the
two members of the board, and an ex-
preston of regret that the other mem
bers were unable to come. Mr.. Wells did
not attempt oratory fancy speech
That his explanation of Birminghams
claim impressed the board, was evidenced
by the interest they manifested and the
questions asked Mr.. Wells.
Mrs. G. III. Mathis of Gadsden, a farmer
and well known agricultural lecturer, was
the first witness called to the chair by
the board. Mr.. Wells attempted an in
PRODUCTION of Mrs. Mathis, but was dis
couraged by the ovation she received,
drowning his voice. and proving better
than his words could how we'll this
woman farmer is known, and in what
respect she is held.
MRS. MATHIS CALLED
Mrs. Mathis. we want you to tell us
about the agricultural situation in Ala
bama and about the farm loan needs"
said Commissioner Norris.
well, don't think we have anything
to boast off, said Mrs. Mathis. Our
farmers are valued at an average of $3.50
per capita, and earn not more than 1886
per annum. This includes q man, his
wife and three children"
Does the Alabama farmer grow his
owr food, Mrs. Mathis?'
mo, he doesn't grow anything he can
get out of.
Il think this bank is a great light in
the darkness to the Alabama farmer.
We must make a change; We are maxi
ing 1t fast, but we need more money and
cheaper money at a longer period. Why,
We have in Alabama 100000 people who
ought to buy homes. This will eliminate
the tenants and aid thousands to buy and
own their own homes. We want to pass
from an allegation crop to diversified
crops; to the raising of live stock and
more grain
Wien asked concerning the negro farm