The age-herald., 1899-08-24
Board of Trade Endorses Such
 an Act.
REGULAR MEETING HELD
The Report of the Freight Rate Com mittee Embodying a Resolution Pass ed by the Transportation Bureau
 Was Unanimously Adopted.

Trade was held last night and despite the intense heat was well attended. Several important matters were up for considera- tion, including communication from the citizens of several towns between this city and Corona on the western division of the Southern railway. looking to the es- talishment of a daily local train service to and from Birmingham.
 A resolution which was adopted by the Freight Rate and Transportation bureau, looking towards the abolition of the pres- ent railroad commission was also unani- mously endorsed.
 The meeting was called to order by Presi- dent Chalifoux wno, after the disposal of routine usiness, reported for the oard or control, which report has already been been published.
 A communica ton was received from the State Fair association requesting the mes- chants to take stock in the enterprise and on motion of MT. Nneill a resolution was adopted declaring it to be the sense of tine meeting that the members of the Board of Trade should take stock and thereby as- sst the movement.
 A communication signed by G. M. Master son, representing the citizens of Oakman, Cordova, Corona, Americus, Littletown and other towns, was read urging the board to use its efforts to secure the extension of the present Blossburg daily train ser wee tO SOrOna. line DeneItS WHICH ~Oulu result to the merchants of Birmingham were pointed out, and on motion the mat ter was referred to the suburban trains and excursion committee. Freight Rates Committee Under the reports of committees Chair man Sinnige of the freight rates commit tee reported that under the direction of the bureau much work was being done but stated that the question had arisen as to
 
 equitable rates, even after they were all tabulated
 "The greatest obstacle in the way" said MT. Sinnige, "is the present railroad com mission, which is powerless to do anything for the merchants"
 MT. Sinnige explained that at the last meeting of the bureau resolution was adopted looking to the abolition of the present commission and the creation of new commission fashioned after the Geor-- gia law. A copy of the resolution was read and endorsed, as follows: Whereas. The Alabama railroad com mission has proved utterly imperative,
 and without benefit to the people of Alabama; and, Whereas, We believe that Alabama should have a railroad commission pos sessing some power and elected by the people, and paid by the people; and, Whereas, The state of Georgia has such railroad commission, that has worked to the benefit of the citizens of that state, and without detriment to the railroads; now therefore be it Resolved, That we favor: First, the abolishment by the next legislature of Alabama of the present railroad commission of Alabama. Second, that We favor the adoption Of the state of Georgia railroad commits sion law without change except sub- stituting the word Alabama" for the
 word Georgia wherever 1t may oc- cur in said law, a copy of which Geor- gia law is hereto attached and made part of this resolution. The Insurance Committee MT. McGowan of the insurance committee reported that Mayor Drennen, who was favorbale to the proposed increase in the fire department, had addressed a letter to the committee asking what amount would be saved to the citizens of Birmingham by the reduction in rates based on the pro- posed increase.
 MT. McGowan explained that these fg- ures would be hard to obtain, but stated that Secretary Ryan would make an at tempt to get them up.
 Several other reports were made and the incorporation question were again brought up and was referred to Secretary Ryan.
 John W. O'Neill reported that he had just attended a large and enthusiastic meeting of the carnival society at the Metropolitan hotel and that it had been decided to hold the carnival again next year and plan adopted whereby no one be asked to subscribe as had been the practice heretofore. In view of the bene- fits that would accrue to the merchants he offered a resolution endorsing the car nival and urging all members of the board of trustees to join the carnival society and assist the movement by contributing monthly dues of s1. The resolution was adopted. In the same connection MT. Me. Vey thought that the board of trade should give every encouragement to the state fair, and to that end suggested that Secretary Ryan confer with Secretary Rountree of the Fair association, in re- gard to a circular letter endorsing the fair to be distributed among the merchants and by them sent out in all their letters. The suggestion was put in the form of a mo- ton
 A suggestion looking to cooperation be- tween the freight rates committee, the Freight and Transportation bureau and the recently organized Business and Traders exchange was received and favorably act ed upon.
 Wm. Stanley on behalf of the Trades council, extended the Board of Trade a cordial invitation to attend Labor Day celebration, which was accepted with thanks. Mir. Stanley explained that the Auditorium had been secured for the after noon exercises and Capitol park for the evening. He mentioned the fact that Sem ator Morgan had accepted an invitation to address the people on the occasion, incl dently eulogizing him as 'the peer of Any living man." MT. Stanley also requested the board to fire off its Board of Trade Day fireworks on Labor Day evening, which was referred to the suburban trains and excursion committee having the mat ter in charge.
 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. a1