The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-07-08
[. B. IRWIN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE
 CIVIC ASSOCIATION
Officers Reports at Annual Meeting Showed Much Activity in Civic Affairs.
 Watch for Judge Fort

E. B. Irwin was elected president or meeting held last night in the club rooms. The election had been in prog ress several weeks and, on the votes being counted last night. MT. Irwin re- ceived handsome majority over ms opponent, Captain Hugo |. Black and was declared elected
 Other officers elected were Judge William E. Fort, first vice president; G. F. Harsh second vice president; di- rectors, A. Ash. Max Blach, W. w. Clayton, E. B. Irwin. William E. Fort, B. II. Hartsfield. T. H. Motion, James Weatherly. Frank s. White.
 A recount will have to be taken 10 see whether J. J. Beitman or R. E. l.. Connolly will De the tenth director or not.
 The annual report of the work of the association was made by Judge William E. Fort retiring president and Secretary Manager c. l.. Harold also made his report
 WATCH PRESENTED
 A handsome gold watch was pre- sented to Judge Fort near the close of the meeting by the members of the association as a token of their ap- preciation for the work he had done for the association during his term of office. The watch was presented In behalf of the members by T. J. Crittcn- den.
 In his report, Judge Fort said. in part: 9yt
 q am still in favor of establishing an, open forum for the discussion Of public questions and the educational advantages which such forum would bring to the people of Birmingham. This have been in favor of ever since the beginning of my office.
 '.rhe Civic association should func- tion not as mere commercial organ ization, but for the establishment Of social justice, civic ideals and the pro- motion of human welfare.
 "I earnest hold to three indespens- able aims of this association. nameiy, the open forum, the moulding pt pup lie opinion and the promotion of hn- man welfare. During the fall ana winter months there were seven meet ings of the forum. which we are proud to say were characterized by the un- trammeled discussion and free debate on the part of the large audience which attended the meetings"
 YEARS ACTIVITIES
 Among the many activities of the as- sociation for the social, economic and municipal welfare of the city reported by Judge Fort were the following: Measures preventing the spread of influenza.
 < The workmen's compensation law.
 The public health service.
 Bolshevism.
 The convict lease system.
 The discrimination practiced against Birmingham by the steel interests ia the matter of prices charged to con- sumers.
 :, The operation of the federal barge line on the Warrior river and the se- curing of proportionate rates from all railroads leading from Birmingham m and intersecting the Warrior river. Participation of the Civic associa ton in solving the problem of high ways. fS2 M Free service of merchants and other members by placing with them the cards which refer all doubtful adver- | tising schemes and questionable char 1 ity solicitors to the proper committee l of the Civic association. l Assembling upwards of 100 fruit ana truck growers of Jefferson county and 1 putting them in contact with experts who explained the latest scientif:, methods of horticulture and agricul- ture.