The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-06-21
Question of rranchises.


 In America most cities suffer by giv- ing away in infancy, perpetual fran chises which later become of immense value. Occasionally this can be ren1e- died by direct tax-so that under the operation of the Ford law in New York, which makes the franchises of public serving corporations subject to taxa tion as real property. the assessments last year were raised $17000O, 900. In Michigan. the State Tax Commission included in its assessment against the Detroit Street Railway. the value of its franchise. raising its assessment from $1.soO o0o to s12o0o, 900, being sus- tained therein by the Supreme CouIt of the State. A new charter has Just been granted to St. Paul, which limits the term of franchise to 26 years and places a tax of 5 per cent. of tho gross earnings upon the recipients of public franchises.
 The sentiment of controlling the so- called natural mcnopolies is spreading rapidly. Whereas now these monopo- lies are a severe tax upon the peaple they might be made tu work great relief--so as to pay all the expense of running a city, thereby abolishing mu- nicipai taxation and at the same time reducing the charges for their own services. The city of Glasgow as is well known, furnishes a practical ex- ample of this idea.
 To take some intelligent action along this line would be to perform yaiu- able service to the State of Alabama. and l would strongly recommend the adoption of petition to the Cor1sti- tutional Convention requesting that the idea of limiting the life of fran chises to a definite number of years. and making such franchises returnable for taxation as real property be in- corporated into the law Of the com rnonwealth. It might be well to pro- vide in our bylaws for another stand ing committee upon Municipal Gov ernments.' who. would have charge of tiiis work, and .ecure informatlSn relating thereto for the consideration and enlightment of the various com Inercial bodies, and for publication from time to time in the press of the State. -
 The men who make up the active membership of commercial clubs are altruists of the purest type. Concerned with their own private interests some times vast and expressing, they never theless devote both time and energy to matters affecting the public well fare. and continually sacrifice personal gain and emolument in their efforts to improve the conditions touching the general community. It is an honor to be associated with such men in sueh work. and a privilege to claim their attention in an address. a paper or a report. With no other compensation than the consciousness of a duty we'll performed-with no thought of gain apart from that enjoyed by all alike you are unselfishly laboring for the advancement of Alabama, for the ma terial progress of a State we love and honor, and for the greater prosperity of generations yet to come.
 And if you persevere success must crown your efforts. The time Is at hand when the general public believes that the leaders in a business conven- tion merit as much recognition as those in a political convention: that their work of improving trade condi- tions, stimulating industrial progress, hastening and guarding con.mer ercial prosperity; 'of making two blades of grass grow where but one grew be- fore" is as important to mankind as the various questions of expediency and policy coming up in the political world. There is @ patriotism in hns ness as well as in politics and a hero- ism not confined to fields of battle.
 Respectfully submitted.
 L. L. Gilbert. Secretary.
 The report of the Treasurer showed a balance on hand and Judge Cab9t Lull of Wetumpka moved that "the statesmanlike paper read by the Sec retary be printed" Mir. Ward of Huntsville moved to amend so as to include the annual address of the Pres ident and the amended motion was adopted.
 The association then at 1:30 o'clock. took a recess until 3:3O o'clock.