The age-herald., 1900-03-22
CITY FATHERS
 PUT ON NOTICE Board of Trade Wants Better
 Fire Protection. STRONG HINT THROWN OUT Several Important Matters Game Up Before Meeting Last Night Com plaint to be Made Regarding
 Discriminating Rates
STRONG HINT THROWN OUT

Several important matters came before the meeting of the Board of Trade last night, one of the most important of which was the report of the Board of Trade ccm- nltttee of the joint fire investig galtfon conn m.ttee, which brought about a. strong in timaton that unless the present council took steps to improve the fire department that the merchants would organize to elect a board pledged to adequate fire Hrotec- tion.
 The meeting was he'd in Elks' hall, and Was called to order by President chalifoux, with Secretary Orem at the desk
 The secretary made verbal report of the proceedings of the board of control, which had held a meeting during the after noon. This report included the substance of resolution calling upon the merchants and citizens of Birmingham and Alabama generally to write personal letters to Ala bamas delegation in congress, asking the senators and representatives to make every effort to have senate bill 14S9, known as the Cullom bill, passed. This bill gives the interstate commerce commission the power originally intended when the measure ere ating the commission for the purpose eff
 
 in 1887. On account of the great railroad combinations existing and contemplated the shipping interests of the country, 1t was stated. had combined to press the en- actment of such laws as would protect them against the efforts being made by the pooling railroads to thrott.e competition and protect the smaller shipper as well as the larger. MT. Orem reported Chat all f La CTS, producers and shippers had organized what is known as the National League of Associations, with headquarters in Wash ington, whose sole object would be to work for the passage of the Cullom bill The boards of trade of the principal cities, 3eaded by Chicago, are sending out letters Q all the commercial bodies, asking for a united movement in support of the bill.
 Will File Complaint
 MT. Orem stated further that the freight and transportation bureau, under the aus pices of the Board of Trade, and of which he is commissioner, would within the next few days forward a formal complaint to the interstate commerce commission, ask ing it to compel the railroads to give Brm- ingham the same rates from the east on SN'Si SoLhiHoullleS as QTy SOOuS, DOOtS, ana shoes, as are conceded to Memphis-s5 cents, as against $114. He said that in view of the ruling in the case of St. Cloud vs the Northern Pacific, which compelled that company to give the same rates to St. Cloud as those enjoyed by St. Paul, there could be no reasonable doubt but that Bir- mingham would be put on a footing with Memphis. The latter city has the S5 cent rate, because it is possible to have it's freight shipped coastwise to New Orleans and up the Mississippi river, but it was pointed out that practically no freight was ever shipped in that round about way.
 The board of trade endorsed the Elks projected street fair which, it was claimed would attract | great crowd of visitors to Birmingham.
 Colonel E. L. Higdon, in behalf of the T. P. A, asked the cooperation of the Board of trade In giving welcome to mem bers of the state association which would convene here next month, and on motion the request was unanimously approved.
 Strong Intimatlon
 G. Rotholz, as a member of the joint com mittee of the Commercial club, the Board of Trade and the Board of Aldermen to inves- tigate the water service in connection with the conf1agration on the 23d of February made a verbal report on the work of the committee. After discussing briefly the question of the mains, fire plugs and water pressure, MT. Rotholz gave it as his opinion that what this city most needed was a stronger fire department. This question of fire service was discussed in detail, and 1t was hinted quite plainly that if the present council did not Dr0Vda ade0nafn ment for. the protection of property then the merchants and property owners would organize for the purpose of electing council next year that would do SO.
 At 9:30 the board adjourned.