The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-13
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

N+ANAy ihShl to see IL dl WOTk' IL hoN been quite awhile since had seen 1t in action.
 In the beginning, let me confess that my attitude toward it had been critical. Somehow I had gotten 1t into my head that it was the bulwark of special priv ilege. Believing fhis true. like many others I was busy beating the anvil chorus
 So was present in rather a critical mood. Now. if my conversion was too sudden, don't jump to the conclusion that any of the big interests have taken me in tow. I write my impressions, right or wrong, having talked to no one whose opinion has influenced me in the slight est, I'm merely acting in the role of reporter
 It was @ great meeting, in size, in the character of the men present, and in the matters discussed. I was greatly inter- ested in sizing up the personnel of those present-their religious. social and busi- ness status. Every walk of life was rep resented by key-man.
 
 It was heartening to see and hear the solid chairmen of the various committees make their reports. Most of them stuck to their text, but every now and then there was flash of wit. From hearing them, I got the idea that they had all done a bit of hards and serious work for Birmingham
 After all, you don't have to dig very far beneath the outward show of dignity to find the boy in the average man. This was evidenced in the way the sober, hard working business men broke out into peals of laughter and hand clappng at a cabaret stunt that was brought in to relieve the monotony q got In after the singing of the Arion club. The sallies of the cabaret team were enjoyed and ap- plauded, but who do you reckon pulled the two last jokes of the evening-none other than Dr. George Stuart and Her man Beck-and the latter joke was about a Methodist preacher. and made g hit.
 
 I got the idea somewhere, or somebody told me, or dreamed it that the Cham Der of Commerce was the tool of Wall street, to mold opinion and register votes on any referendum that had for it's pur- pose the stifling of labor or small indus- tries. Imagine my surprise when a com mittee's report headed by such con- servative man as J. D. Moore was turned down.
 It was the referendum on giving the President of the United States more au- thority in striking out pork barrer' ap- duced the fireworks. I have set in some great legislative bodies, but the debate with Sid Bowie and Nat Miller on one side and J. D. Moore and Borden Burr on the other was both spirited and bril- liant. It showed that nothing could be railroaded through the chamber, and that the body felt no hesitancy in going against a committees report.
 Just at this point when the thunders of debate were dying away, pr. Edmonds held up a bit of wee humanity, just a Tiny Tim, by the name of Sewell St. John. introducing him as one of the best salesmen in America, and 8 good little sport, who had cheered every speaker who made a hit. It developed that the 9-year-old wonder had a chance to lead all the boys in America in the sale of the Saturday Evening Post and the Country Gentleman. He was present to do busi- ness and after the session ended he reaped rich harvest. Judge Alvin Doug las, together with others, assisted him.
 I first heard Morris Bush, the retiring president, make an address at the close of Howard college last summer. I then made up my mind to keep an eye on him. He has the grace and boise of his la- choice of words is sure, his manner in speaking easy, his voice pleasant, his matter forceful. His address covering his years activity was clear cut He Is surely 8 coming man. No, take it back. AS the French say, he has already arrived.
 As the applause died away Morris Bush concluded his speech, had the pleasure and privilege of introducing Rev. George Stuart to the gathering. as an eloquent preacher, and as citizen who had come to have a big part not only in the re- ligious but the business life of Birming- ham. There were cries for a speech. He sat still. The cries were given louder and more insistent. He arose, claiming that he was a man of common sense and proved it by refusing to talk at such late hour. Only truly great preacher could have passed up such chance to make a speech.
 Here the army" and the navy" got busy, for the vote had been cast for of ficers for the ensuing year. Escorted by Gen. J. D. Rosenberger and Admiral George McCleery, Charles DeBardeleben was led to the platform and hailed as president. I liked his platform. Seems to me it's big enough and broad enough for every one to stand on.a Here it is:
 T am opened minded on all public Ques- tions If good, honest. hard work will accomplish anything for this city, I'll ac- complish it."
 Now. hear the conclusion of the whole matter. If the men who were present are enemies of Birmingham. then heaven