The age-herald., 1898-11-05
COMMERCIAL CLUBS
 MONTHLY MEETING The Members Discuss 8 Variety Oi
 Topics.
 PRIEST STEINER'S REPORT Called Attention t0 Supreme Court De- :. cision on Tariff Association. FIVE. CENT FARE TO ENSLEY CITY Club Took no Action on Appointing Committee of Conference on Great
 CT Birmingham Proposition The Quarantine Convention,
FIVE. CENT FARE TO ENsLEY CITY

in Twenty-first street. and many matters looking to the welfare and interest or the city were discussed and acted upon.
 The board of directors was called to order at f clock, the following members answer ing to roll call: President B. Steiner, F. I. Anderson, M. V. Joseph, Joseph Beitman, J. K. Mcdonald, J. D. Kirkpatrick and W. J. Wheeler.
 The reports of the secretary and treas- urer were received and ordered filed.
 Eleven new members were elected, as fol- lows. w. M Newton, Sterling J. Woods. w. M. Newbold, J. J. Banks, M. c. Rey- holds, J. J. Altman, R. M. Vowell, J. F. B. Jackson, L. J. Haley, William R. Quinn and J. M. Watson. The board then ad- journed.
 At 4:30 o'clock the club was called to or- der by President Steiner
 President Steiner submitted his monthly report, offering some important suggestions, which were taken up separately and acted upon.
 The first suggestion was in reference to tine United States supreme court in connec- tion with the Southeastern Tariff associa- ton, as follows:
 Insurance Trust
 Since our last meeting decision of the United States court has been rendered, which is of such far-reaching nature that I beg to call the attention of the club to the same especially in connection with the Southeastern Tariff association, an associa- tion formed for the purpose of controlling l-Ie insurance and insurance rates of the en- tire south and southwest. In the Joint Traffic association case, to which l refer, the supreme court wisely says in its opin- ion: That an agreement of this nature, which directly and effectually stiles com petition, must be regarded under the stat ute as one in restraint of trade and com merce by shutting out the operation of the general law of competition.' m -
 ''I think, in justice to our business men, that the Southeastern Tariff association should be restrained, and that competition in insurance should be open. l am reliably informed that this combination is illegal, and should be suppressed. l. would give our business men and merchants, in my opinion, a lower rate of insurance, and would enable them to carry larger line of insurance against loss by fire without any additional cost to them, and without loss or detriment to the agents, number of whom are some of the best members of this club; in fact, 1t would largely increase their incomes"
 On motion, the matter was referred to the judiciary and insurance committees.
 Of Interest to Merchants
 The next suggestion is of special interest to the retail merchants and met with the hearty approval of the meeting. In refer rip tba afl
 "I strongly recommend that a committee should either be appointed by the club, or from the retail trade committee, to take steps towards making satisfactory arrange ments with the Birmingham Railway and Electric company, and obtain, if not for all time, at any rate for the next six months, scent fare between Ensley City and Bir- mingham. If the railway company cannot do this of its own accord, the merchants should subsidize the railway company in order to obtain this concession. l think that it would mean to this city in the neigh borhood of s10O,0O0 additional trade in the next six months."
 The matter was referred to the retail trade committee for action and sub-com- mittee will be appointed to confer with the managers of the Birmingham Railway and Electric company looking to that end
 The question of the revenue tax on ex- press packages was referred to as follows: War Revenue Tax
 ''The question of the war tax matter be- tween the express company and the Com mercial club needs your urgent attention It is shown that our states does not fare as well as the state of Georgia, all on &C., count of the poweriess condition of our railroad commission. Our legislative com. mittee should see to it that they are giving additional powers, such as they have in Georgia, Mississippi. Louisiana and other states, or else that this feature of our state government should be abolished en- tirely. Under the present law, they have comparatively no power to correct any ex- isting evils
 In this connection letter was read from the general manager of the Southern Ex- press company. in which it was stated that in order to settle the question test case had been arranged in New York. which is now pending and requesting that the club defer action until decision is rendered.
 President Steiner explained that the rail- road commissioners of Texas, Georgia and Florida had prohibited the express com panies from requiring the shippers to pay the tax and that the company had been requested by the club to do likewise in Alabama.
 MT. Mcdonald was of the opinion that if the railroad commissioners of Alabama were not vested with sufficient power to act in the matter, it would be the duty of the legislature to give them the power, and on his motion the matter was re- ferred to the legislative committee. 'Greater Birminghamv The question of Greater Birmingham precipitated an animated discussion. On this subject President Steiper,s report was as follows: ~ v "In my first report upon assuming the chair of this organization. called atten-