The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-01
CHAMBER REPORT SHOWS ACTIVITY FOR BIRMINGHAM Most Successful Year In
 History Of Body
 Just Closing FINANCIAL SURVEY INDICATES SURPLUS Many New Industries Se- cured Under Leader
 ship Of Dunn


 nual report handed directors by o. L. Bum, secretary-manager, at a recent meeting. This report shows the largest membership to date, financial sur plus in comparison with an operating deficit last year, and takes up in de. tail the work of various branches of the chamber.
 A recount of these accomplishments, taken from the report in part, follows
 Publicity-Preparation of accurate information, statistics and facts on the growth of the city and possibilities for the future, compiled in convenient form for handy reference, provides wealth of material for bringing new ln- dustries and individuals to Birmingham The portfolio comprises: Why Bir- mingham," a 24-page booklet: Indus trial Birmingham" 36-page booklet ; Birmingham Facts" S-page leaflet. and "Birmingham-th Wholesale and Man. ufacturing Center" taking up the job. ping area in the district A series of statistics showing the growth of Blr- mingham by years from 1900 has been prepared statistics of every industry in Birmingham have been compiled the organization has also co-operated in getting material for stories about Birmingham in various periodicals.
 Industrial Department
 Industrial Department-Under this department industrial surveys are com piled, giving first hand information and statistics to prospective industrial plants, either seeking Birmingham as their location, or plants which the chamber seeks to establish here. Cot ton, farm implements, engines, furni- ture, ax and tool handles, soap, stove, enamelled products, plumbing, cement and other varied products needed for 2 Birmingham have been gone after dur ing the year. Some of the develop ments which the Birmingham Cham Der of Commerce took part in, directly or indirectly, include the location of S4 new industries here.
 Grain Exchange-A licensed federal grain inspector with laboratory in the chamber headquarters, daily inspects hay and grain, carload lots, coming in and out of the district, protecting both buyer and shipper. During the year 3,6OO cars were inspected by the depart ment.
 Furniture Division-Recently. con , solidated with chamber. Organization comprises 136 retail furniture dealers
 Retail Merchants DivisiOn-Under the auspices of this division the Bir: / rningham Fall Festival and Industrial exhibit was put on here. The organiza' ton guarded interests of retailers throughout the season and saved thou sands of dollars in useless advertising.
 Purchasing Agents Division-Repre- sentatiyes of largest industries in Bir- mingham organizing themselves into an association favoring Birmingham prod nets. Where required products were not made in district attempt was made \ to locate branch offices and warehouses here.
 Export Department
 Exnort Department-To keep local manufacturers in close touch with the foreign market and to encourage gong into the export field, this branch of the Foreign and Domestic Commerce Of Washington was established in cOnnec- ton with the chamber, with one of our chamber employees in charge. Commer- cial relation between Birmingham and foreign countries are talicitated.
 Wholesale Merchants and Manufac- turers' Association-This division re- funded in railroad fares to visiting re- tail merchants complying with rules and regulations $1,25S, representing mer. chandise purchased to the amount or SI76,85S. It raised $6,S21 from whole salers, jobbers and manufacturers Tn the district to put over the seventh an nnal Alabama Merchants convention ; 2.743 retail merchants of Alabama and adioining states visited this convention and while here the merchants pur- chased S449,24S worth of merchandise.
 Retail Druggists-Approximately 30 ner cent. of the retail druggists of the district constitute this division. Pro- tecting the citizens of Birmingham aganst interruptions pharmacists and getting the customers to respect thls profession and bettering the drug busi- ness are a few of the policies of the organization.
 Junior Chamber-A young mems or ganization looking after the civic better ment. Traffic, parking, city govern ment, stadium, educational, etc., prob- lems are closely watched.
 Birmingham Traffic Association-Or- ganization has now been in operation for six years and two months and 1t Is significant to note that during that period rates numbering 1O6,S6S have been quoted, errors discovered m the auditing of expense bills amounting to S307 OPS, and the amount collected through the handling of freight claims S705, ,OS2, or a total saving to the mem bership for the six years through the auditing of expense bills and handling of claims of $1,102,11O. During the period 104 complaints. were lodged against the carriers before the Ala bama Public Service commission and Interstate Commerce commission, with the result of favorable decisions in all except nine.
 Financial Statement-Assets of the chamber are listed at $11,S42, against S9,S05 last year. Liabilities are shown as $4,79S, against $10,S02, indicating a surplus of S6,543 for the past year, against deficit of $906 in 1922-2S.
 A few of the official acts of the or ganization are listed:
 Activities Listed
 Effected organization of state cham Der secretaries, combining forces for unified advertising of Alabama's re- sources and industries.
 Secured new passenger train for Bir- mingham over the Southern, making 1t possible to lose only one business day between Birmingham and New York.
 Discouraged migration fcolored la bor through cooperative efforts of the state chamber secretaries in seeking curtailment of labor advertisements from foreign concerns in local and state p ewspapers-carried on educational } campaign familiarizing the colored race with the foreign labor situation and urging their Stay in Alabama.
 Delegation sent to Montgomery to
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