The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-15
MEN, WOMEN
 AND THINGS

| l am glad the business men of this dis trict are organizing for trade. It's aoso- iutcly necessary that they cooperate if they hope to get Birmingham's share of it. Let them be wide-awake and aggres- sive. A little more fighting spirit to conquer new spheres of mercantile in fluence, and little less scrapping among home folks will win.
 But while we are seeking new and wider fields of commercial supremacy, let's re- member that we have other influences to conserve. This is why I call attention to a meeting I attended last week. There was no cabaret stunts, though it was far from being a dull affair. It was a gath ering of Baptist pastors and layrnen to talk over the educational outlook.
 
 Now don't get it into your head that this is going to be Baptist column. It just so happens that Howard college is meht. I'm just as ready to get behind Birmingham college the first time it has a meeting to boost it's needs The thing want to impress on the community is that right here at our doors we have colleges worthy of the financial support and patronage of our people.
 The Howard rally was at the Y. M. c. A. Supper was laid for 50, and every chair was filled when Hon. Frank S. White. the toastmaster, gave the signal that the feast was ready. Anyone who has ever seen Frank White presiding on such an occasion knows his ability not only to start something, but keep it going
 Dr. Preston Blake was the first to speak. As usual, his remarks were to the point, and well thought out. The next speaker was Dr. c. Ross Baker, one of the most eloquent preachers in the dis trict. At this point had to leave to at tend the Chamber of Commerce meet ing and so I missed the other address. l burne. the able president, and by pr. Smith, the new educational secretary. Dr. Hibbs, the pastor of many of the Howard college boys, also made an illu- minating address.
 That Birmingham Is beginning to ap- preciate its two colleges is evidenced by the fact that Dr. Sheburne could say that more than 60 students from this city are enrolled at the Howard. know also that many are attending Birming- ham college. The other afternoon I saw score of happy youths swing off of a Tidewater car at the Tutwiler and go happily marching down Twentieth street For more than % years I have watched the growth of Howard college. In the old days. the startling military uniforms added 8 brightness to the throngs of Birmingham. Dr. B. F. Riley was then president. For the past 15 years I have been in close touch with the faculty, trus- tees and college body. I have seen new buildings go up. Have marked the im- provements on the campus. Taken pleas ure in the new athletic field, and am hoping soon to see the long talked of gymnasium materialize
 
 In the whirlagig of time, Dr. B. F. Giles, a former professor at Howard, and for years president of the Central Fe- male college at Tuscaloosa, is now back in, Birmingham as pastor of the Twenty first Street Baptist church.
 Dr. Riley. a former president, is now ixr;r turning out new book. Ills latest 'sThe Life of Booker Washington is in it's second edition. For several years he wrote a series of articles for The Age Herald on Alabama's leading men, which later came out in book form. He is known far and wide as the great historian of southern Baptists. His History of the Baptists of Alabama" ran through a first edition, and it is now hard to get a copy.
 Just last week came cheery letter from Dr. A. F. Montague, also a former president of Howard. It bore congratula- tions to me as associate editor and friendly new year greetings to MT. Bar rett and The Age-Herald staff His men- ory still lives in Alabama as a scholarly. cultured and Christian educator. His friends will be glad to learn that he is making good as president of Columbia college, our Baptist institution at Lake City, Fla.
 Dr. Shellburne, the present president of the Howard, for years was pastor of the Ruhama Baptist church, East Lake. He spent few years in Tennes- see pastorate and then came back to Alabama. Under his regime Howard col lege has prospered. He has a great vision for it. The Baptists of Alabama are standing behind him.
 Now I close with the plea that our solid business men will see in the Howard. and in the Birmingham college a chance to use and make them what they can and ought to be-great power houses to furnish and equip our sons and daughters for lives of usefulness. Get cheaper freight rates, strive for more railroads, encourage great industries, build many 1 small factories. but don't fall to stand by our colleges whose finished product is trained men and women ready for service in the religious. social and busi- | ness life of Birmingham
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