The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-14

the light of those of other centers Where Birmingham is weak, or at a disadvan- tage, this survey would reveal it and the united effort of the district, through the Chamber of Commerce, could be brought to bear to remove the handicap under which Birmingham labors.
 MT. Bush showed how the Chamber of Commerce could do a great work along this line by aiding every industry O, business in this section which was unable to compete with other points advan- taeeously. Especial emphasis was pait: to the matter of rents, living conditions and railroad rates and facilities.
 The great need of the Birmingham dis trict today. said MT. Bush, is for more small, diversified industries. In spite of the fact that Birmingham has under gone a remarkable growth, he stated that this growth was not nearly in keeping with the advantages which the city en- joyed over other cities of about the same size. Birmingham had come to depend upon some of it's great corpora tions to provide it's growth while other cities less advantageously situated had made almost as great progress through the utilization of more meagre resources. While Birmingham would and could con- tinue to grow through the development of it's great industries, to enjoy the real progress to which it was entitled, this
 
 dustries which would utilize some of the raw materials were now being sent away to be manufactured in other cities.
 The Chamber of Commerce should not limit it's efforts to purely commercial activities, said Mr. Bush. The upbuilding of the surrounding country Is of the ut most importance. The betterments and improvements of the city, such as a city auditorium good highways, facilities for making use of the Warrior river, should be subjects for the closest cooperation between the Chamber of Commerce, the city commission and the board of reve- nue.
 said:
 COMBINE ACTIVITIES
 Now. my idea of the reorganized chamber is that it should combine all of the industrial and civic activities of Birmingham in such a way that we will have no duplication of effort but that all interests should be represent ed in the most liberal and effective manner. In this way there will be a unity of purpose, a reduction of eX- pense and the accomplishment of the most good to all classes of the people of Birmingham. The chamber is to be the servant of all the interests of Bir- mingham No matter will be too small to merit the close attention of the man. agement of the chamber, if it is for the benefit of the city and it's people. I also want everybody to feel so much interest in the work of the organization that they will feel free at any and ali times to make any suggestion that will widen the usefulness of the cham Der and build up the district. Tn the past I think We have taken too lit tie interest and have not put forward our ideas that might have been val uable. During this year let's all get together and at the beginning of an- other year, if we have accomplished anything. don't let's say, You killed the bear" but "We killed the bear"
 "The activities and accomplishments of the Chamber of Commerce have been made possible by the work of the older men of Birmingham. They are still ready to work and give of their ad vice to the limit, but it is not fair to ask that they carry the entire burden and do the work from which others will reap the greater benefit in the future I therefore wish to bespeak the hearty cooperation of the young CT men of Birmingham. It is time that YOU come forward and do your pro- portionate part The city of the fu- ture is your city. There should be in the Chamber of Commerce a body of young men equal to the entire mem bership of the chamber as it stands now You have service to give and that is just as important as money. You can create and keep alive the sen timent for a great live hustling. civic body, working for a wonderful accom- plishment in city building"
 Upon motion of Paschal G. Shook, a resolution was unanimously adopted thanking the retiring president, Craw- ford Johnson, for his able and untiring