The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-11

$271s.1S.
 The meeting was opened by Charles DeBardeieben, retiring president whe read his report for the year of 1917, re- counting the events of his administration and citing the things of which the Cham Der was justly proud. He commended the board of directors and especially thu work of Blanks Everett. general mana. ger.
 MT. Crowder was ushered to the plat form by Joe Rosenburger and George Johnston. MT. DeBardeleben congratu lated him upon his election and after shaking hands with him, turned the af- fairs of his office over to him.
 MT. Crowder began immediately to ex press his views as to what he believed to be remedial measures necessary to cure any existing ills, and to broaden tht chambers activities and increase it's use fulness. He said:
 MIR. CROWDER'S SPEECH
 am deeply sensible of this honor, and too appreciative of this compli- ment to undertake to thank you with words. This is mans size job, and l rather like it.
 It would be a travesty and an impo- sition upon your time and patience for me to stand here and undertake 10 tell YOU what I would have the Cham Der of Commerce do for Birmingham this year. You and rather lean to the man that does things without taking so much about them, and not to the fellow who is always telling you about what he is going to do. Such fellow was addressing a tribe of Indians on one occasion, and after long -windeo speech, boasting of what he was going to do, the Big Chief grunted and re- piled, Heap wind. much dust, no rain.
 would rather ask what are you going to do for your Chamber or Com merce? Get this into your head-tne Chamber of Commere is Birmingham institution. and as such, it is your in' stitution. Is there a man here tonight who Is not a member of the Champei of Commerce, or some kindred organ ization? Let him ask himself the ques' ton, am I a good citizen?
 WAR WORK
 Our one big job will be to continue to cooperate with the government, anc to help to win this war.
 We are called upon today as never before to organize our civic forces and to work to full capacity to helr win this war. AS president of the Bir. mineham Chamber of Commerce shall give war work our first consid' eration, and while there may be some who may think that our efforts have not received proper credit and appre citation at Washington. and while oth CT localities less favored by nature have had gifts showered upon them and while it is undeniably true tha Birmingham as milch COW has al ready proven quite a good milker II all war activities, she will continue tt give, so long as there is any left in thu bag. The good Book says. "It is mor' blessed to give than to receive" bu some of us are inclined to the ides that we could we'll dispense with som of the blessing in exchange for som | of the gravy.
 have felt that Birmingham through it's Chamber of Commerce might establish more cordial relation and better working conditions witt l Washington, by maintaining Wash ington bureau as a branch of the Bir mingham Chamber of Commerce, ant while our financial condition would no warrant this expense just now. I an going to start something in that direc ton in an effort to, at least, locate q; friend at court" as 1t were. 1 NEW INDUSTRIES l Were I to ask the question. What tn Birmingham Chamber of Commerce coul i best do for Birmingham?" 90 per cent o 1 the replies would be, Bring more indus l tries to Birmingham"
 l The location of an industry in an fI community Is determined by economi l conditions, and not mere solicitation.
 hope that early in the year We will b
 able to have an industrial survey mad l of Birmingham, with a view of ascertain l ing what industries would be assured c ] success by locating here, and listing tn | several hundred already in successful or l eratiol here. This would enable us l work in more intelligent and scientifi manner in interesting capital in the pc tentalities of the Birmingham district.
 VISITING SOLDIERS Soldiers from our nearby camps ar visiting in increasing numbers Birmine ham daily, and it's up to us to entertai I these soldiers and furnish them whoie some amusement. To that end we war
 to open, in the coffee room of the Tut wiler hotel an information bureau
 connection with which we will distribui
 pamphlet, reading. Birmingham
 What to See and Where to Co., Thcr
 are many features that we can deveio
 that will add to their comfort and pleas
 ure while here and thus we could al
 and cooperate in training camp activ
 ties.
 l HARMONY
 Harmony and a spirit Of cO-