The age-herald., 1898-03-05
ALLEGED DISCRIMINATION Against Birmingham by the L.
 and N. R. R. Co. THE SUBJECT OF DISCUSSION Before the Commercial Club Yesterday Invita- ton to President Diaz, of Mexico Pre-
 parations for Col. McClure's Visit.

The regular monthly meeting of the Com- mercial club was held in the club rooms in Twenty-first street yesterday afternoon. Three new members were elected.
 The most important matter which came up for discussion was the alleged discrini- nation against Birmingham by the railroad companies. E. Lesser brought the subject up and satd that he knew of several in- stances where the Louisville and Nashville refused to give Birminghm the rate prdvl- leges accorded Mobile and New Orlens during the Mardi Gras festivities.
 Mr. Lesser said people in Cincinnati, St. Louis, Louisville and Pensacola to his knowledge had tried to buy tickets at the rate promised by the railroad, and that the ticket agents refused to sell them, but said they would sell tickets to Mobile or New Orleans at the rate of one fare for the round trip.
 The Lee company of hypnotists is one of the parties that tried to buy tickets but were refused.
 B. Steiner said that he had a complaint from McLester & Van1oose wholesale gro cers, stating that it required four days to transport car of merchandise from Bir- mingham to Tuskaloosa, whereas it took only one or two days for a car to reach TuslSaloosa from Nashville. Mir Steiner said that these matters should be looked into and adjusted before Birmingham should hold another carnival. If the rail-
 
 the carnival should be abandoned
 MT. Steiner said that the railroad corn- pany had promised a cut rate. He char acterized the action as an outrage.
 MT. Lesser stated that he knew of in- stances where parties were compelled to buy tickets to Oxmoor or some point south of Birmingham, and return form there to Birmingham in order to get advantage of the low rates.
 The matter was referred to the commit tee on transportation for investigation.
 During the meeting Secretary Boles an- nounced that he had received a communi- cation from Dr. R. W. Bolin, who recently returned from Mexico, stating that Pres ident Diaz would probably make a visit to this country soon and suggesting that invitation be extended to him to visit Bir mingham. Accordingly Secretary Boles was instructed to send an invitation to President Diaz and as soon reply is received committee will be appointed to arrange for appropriately entertaining him.
 Secretary Boles announced that letter had been received from Col. A. K Me Clure saying that he would arrive in Bir- mingham about March 20 and remain two days.
 MT. Leedy moved that a committee of five be appointed by the chair to arrange for Col. McClures entertainment while in the city. The motion was carried Maj. Miner appointed the following: Maj. F. Y. Anderson, chairman w H. Kettig, W. i1teuS, Di. w. D. hihiP0 oiio A' Steiner.
 Dr. w B. Phillips, chairman of the special committee on the Paris exposition, reported that he had received a letter from the American commissioner to the expo- sition, saying that as yet no space had been reserved and that none would be until August or September.
 As to the proposition of Robert Lowery, colored, asking that the Commercial club buy him a silk loom to be used at the Paris exposition in weaving handkerchiefs and J ribbon with the monogram of Birmin8nam interwovcn, Dr. Phillips Sstated that he had justreceiye edr from Lowery a statement 6f tie cost of a loom. According to Low ery's estimate a loom would cost $25O0, and with 1t during the time of the exposition he could weave 25 900 handkerchiefs, which would sell at $1 apiece and 30,000 yards of ribbon which would bring 10 cents yard.
 The committee had not had time to in- yestigate the matter and were allowed another month to make report.
 resolution introduced by MT. Haas urg- ing the Alabama delegation in congress to insist on the appropriation for fast mail between Washington and New Orleans, was adopted.
 pr. W. B. Phillips. in behalf of the Ala bama Scientific and Industrial society. ex- tended an invitation to the members or the club to attend the meeting Of the so- ciety which was to be held in the club rooms after adjournment
 After extending thanks to pr. Phiiilps for his invitation the club adjourned