The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-06-30
Action Taken by Board of Directors at Meeting Yes
 terday Afternoon
FAREWELL DINNER GIVEN TO BABE BY
 PARTY OF FRIENDS
New Secretary Manager Has Been Very Active in the Successful Membership Campaign
 Just Closed

The destiny of the Birmingham Civic
 association has been placed in the hands of Charles l.. Harold.
 Mir. Harold wns elected by the direc- torate of that organization yesteruey afternoon to succeed Joseph B. Babb, who resigned to become editor of the Canton, O., Daily News, MT. Babb be- ing released i'm order that he may take up his new duties at once. Mir. Harold will immediately assume charge of his office as secretary manager of the association.
 Gloom marked the acceptance of the resignation of MT. Babb, as it is an evident fact, according to the ex pressed opinion of all members of the board of directors, that it has been largely through his Influence. untir- ing efforts and energetic activities that the association, organized in Jan uary of this year, has grown to d membership of 2206, and is now housed in the most unique home of any civic organization. business or social club in the south.
 Mir. Harold. who succeeds Mr Babb, has been a hard worker for the up building of the associa tion, devoting much of his time to increasing the membership. He generated the forces of the organization in the member ship campaign that closed at noon yes terday with an additional thousand and more members. The directors felt, in view of their belief in MT. Harold's ability and as a climax to his drive for new members, that he was the man to fill the vacancy. He accepted the position immediately and the work of the association will not be halted even one day.
 Resolutions relative to the departure of MT. Babb were presented to the association directors and adopted unanimously.
 At 6:30 o'clock last night, 29 prominent members of the Civic association assem- bled at the Motion hotel and gave Mr. Babh farewell dinner. Dr. H. A. El- kourie acted as toastmaster, being in- troduced by Frank Butler The first speaker called upon by pr. Elkourie, after brief statement of the cause Of the gathering, wherein he eulogized the departing secretary manager of the Civic association, was J. E. Shelby
 MT. Shelby made it clear that the as- sociation had suffered a distinct loss in the decision of MT. Babb to re-enter newspaper work but believed that that was his calling. and knew that he would be successful. MT. Babb leaves Br- of every man who knows him, for he is lovable and unselfsh. and has given his best to Birmingham said MT. Shelby.
 T. H. Molten, formerly associated with Mr. Babb in the Chamber of Commerce and the old Commercial club, spoke of his intimate business and social relations with him, and stated that he knew when the Civic association secured his services the crganizations success was assured The work of secretary of a civic or ganization is never as fully appreciated as it should be by the public. and l am sure that we will realize this when Mir Babb departs, for no matter how good a man his successor may prove, he can never excell him., said MT. Motion.
 Frank Burler, third speaker, stated that he had never loved any man out side of his immediate family as he had loved Joe Rabb and said that whatever he had donc for the Civic association he had gotten his inspiration from Babb. Dr. N. A. Barrett paid a beautiful tribute to MT. Babb, speaking of his wonderful smile his unlimited person r, xoJ hal tpp and boise.
 A. R. Dearborn was strong in his praise of the guest of honor, and said that he felr that when MT. Babb returned to Birmingham the city had recovered one of it's lost stars, but since this star was to shine elsewhere now, they wished him everything that would mean success, and prosperity.
 Arnold Masberg gavs q very prevvy picture of MI. Babbs home life, touch ing upon the many humanisms that abound in his big nature, and his talk found immediate response in the audi tors that listened attentively to his per sonal experiences with MT. Babb.
 Joseph Beitman said that Birmingham s loss was Cantons gain, but when Mr. Bahb wanted to come back to Birming- ham, he would find hearty welcome awaiting him.
 1T. J. CrlltenuOn demonstrate leu OTdtoliedi rowers far beyond the expectations of the guests present at the dinner, and his speech was full of ginger splendid thoughts for the Civic association heads, as we'll as highly complimentary to MI. Babb, and most expressive of regret at the loss of so valuable a man to the association.
 Judge Alvin M Douglass, Charles l.. Harold and A. c. Crowder made brief talks also MT. Crowder said that he be- ieved that Joe Babb was a hypnotist, IS he had been engaged in Jackson. Miss, l where he recently removed from to Bir- ningham, to inject life into the Board of Trade there and he succeeded beyond measure ''He can put life into dead people, or life into dead towns" said MT. -rowder
 A very pretty sentiment was expressed by the Civic association to MT Babb when Toastma ster Elkourie presented him with a beautiful watch chain and locket, with the engraved words. Token of es- eem of 22Os, Birmingham Civic associa- ion, 6-29-17.''
 In responding to the many words of and esteer1 that had been uttered by the speakers, and in express sion of his thanks for the token of friend 1 ship, Mir Babb said in part:
 1T was placed on the rack when this Il offer to leave Birmingham came to me. for I had almost resigned the hope lof ,ver entering the field of journalism again. It was an accident that got out and had always regretted it until to- aight.
 n hate to leave Birmingham for Il
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