The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-13
GILBERT ASKS
 FOR REFORM He is Secretary Of Con-
 mercial Body. FRANCHISES NENTIONED Says Much Ignorance and In-
 difference Prevails. The Report is a Strong Plea for Municipal Reform and Was Closely Followed by. the Mem r'' bers of the Association.

Tn a report to the Commercial and In- dustrial Association last night Secretary L. L. Gilbert called attention to Mont- gomery's franchise situation and sug- gested that the Association should begin a reform in this branch of the city gov ernment He says much ignorance and indifference prevails here.
 Without mentioning specific instances Secretary Gilbert said the great body pol itic of this city is at a distinct disad- vantage in dealing with franchise prob lens. The remedy he suggested was to bring to Montgomery at intervals noted lecturers or students to enlighten the peo- pie on the subject of municipal affairs.
 His report in full follows:
 MT. President and Gentlemen:
 The fall trade of the city opened up quite well and up to the middle of Sep temher or a little later, In many lines surpassed even the trade Of last year. In the main, however, the volume or trade has not equalled the trade of last year by perhaps 15 per cent.
 There are many reasons for this. The principal ones, however, being the diner- ence in the price of cotton, and the late ness of the crop. Three cents a pound or $15 a bale, would mean to Montgomery s trading territory, up to this time, rom half to thrce-quarters or a mllnon dollars less money to spend in the pur- chase of goods and supplies. In many cases much less cotton was produced, and the corn crop a failure, but in the main it can probably be said that the general average of cotton was about the same as last year. The high price of corn and meat results in but a small margin of profit. for the farmer, so that less sur plus money could be spent with the mer- chants than last year. The trade Of the average year.
 The outlook would indicate that the greatest economy should prevail and pur- chases should be confined to absolute necessities as another year of high-priced meat and corn is to be experienced
 But little active work can be done in Montgomery during the summer months. A large number of our people go away of June July and August. and 1t is quite late in September, or the first part Of October before all are again assembled in their places, and ready for work upon their customary duties. To such an ex- tent does this condition of affairs pre- vail that it would probably be good idea to change the day for the annual meeting to some date in the year when the full activities of the Association are available for some months following This. of course, would have to come up in the nature of an amendment to our Constitution and Bylaws. It might be well to have our year close with the cal endar year, and our annual meeting held early in January.
 In addition to this regular line of work | the Association has entertained the mem | bt rs iof the Alabama Commercial and In- dustrial Association. and the members of the Alabama Press Association in Con- also members of the Alabama Educa- tional Association during the same month. Our m ,mbe.'3hip list has been in- creased by twenty-three new members, members. a total of thirty-two. Our losses through resignation, removal from the city and death, have been eighteen, leaving us net gain of about fourteen. person of ex-Governor Robert F. Ligon has deprived us of one of our oldest and Jest beloved members, whose gentle life Was like a benedlction upon all those who knew him.
 In the way of suggestion in the future, believe that this Association could be Of valuable service to community in which much indifference and ignorance nicipal government and civic grow th
 can put the matter in no stronger light than that presented in a report made by the undersigned at the last meet and Industrial Association. In Flu rope. cities trace their origin back to times coeval with the beginning or history In America, cities are the into power and greatness in two gener- ations. Soon our American cities realize they must consider the problem of growth and expanded interests, and set tie upon lines believed to be scientific and progressive. In the East there ex- ists a strong sentiment calling for or deriy and effective methods, and de- ne ending that the best that science can devise in the way of principals of gov CT nment and growth be understood and tested. In the South we are just grop- ing olindly after the light, and 1t would the business body of a city to foster an interest in the best methods of success fully conducting the business of that city. European Boards of Trade are closely identified with the municipal life of their communities. and wield a pow erful infifluence therein
 For instance. the Berlin Chamber of Commerce claims much credit for the fact that that city is administered at an expense about equal to the annual interest on the debt of New York City s-n---a------@-