The age-herald., 1901-02-02
MEETING OF THE
 COMMERCIAL CLUB
It is Resolved to Discover Petro-
 Ieum in Alabama
OTHER IMPORTANT MATTERS
Steiner Resolution Limiting Scope of the Club Defeated-Endorsem of the Ship Subsidy Bill-Held
 Up-The Proceedings.

The regular meeting of the Commercial Club for February was held yesterday af- ternoon. The board of directors did not hold a meeting in advance, as usual be- cause of the presence of Judge ". L. Chambers of Sheffield who desired to ad- dress the club with regard to fund for presenting the battle-ship Alabama with a silver service as a gift from the people of Alabama.
 At the conclusion of Judge Chambers ad- dress the following new members were elected Edward S. Moore, T. F. Johnston, w. G. Ledbetter, John c. Brain, Dr. Gas ton Torrance and J. H. whitner
 The following resolution, introduced by Maj. F. Y. Anderson, was adopted:
 Whereas, Petroleum has been found in most if not all of the coal-bearing states of this country except Alabama, and has invariably been the means of greatly in- creasing the number of industries and wealth of the district where discovered; and Whereas, There is every reason to believe that petroleum exists in this district and can be found if proper methods are pur- sued to locate it; and
 Whereas, Should the Commercial Club be the instrument through which this discov- cry could be made 1t would benefit all our citizens and make the district teem with duultlOndl lle dHu energy, lHeTelOTe De IL
 Resolved, That committee of three be appointed to take this matter under advise ment, and to report to this club If 1t be feasible to raise sufficient funds and to devise the proper way to proceed in order to find out if petroleum exists in this dis- trict or not.
 In accordance with the resolution the president of the club appointed commit tee of three members as follows: Maj. F. Y. NJ AIaI aud Steiner.
 Other Matters.
 The club adopted d resolution presented by the Pittsburg, Pa., Chamber of Com merce, asking Congress to reduce the rate on first-class postage from cents to cent an ounce.
 A communication from Robert c. Jelks stating that the Alabama and Florida Rail road would be opened to Geneva in few weeks and urging the club to secure spe clal car to take Birmingham merchants tt Geneva on that occasion was read, but nt action taken on it..
 On motion the president appointed com mittee to revise the constitution and by laws of the club, as follows: Sterling A Wood, chairman; Willard J. Wheeler an, Judge J. J. Banks.
 The following committee to take up tn question of securing the permanent head quarters of the Southern Industrial Associa ton was appointed: B. Steiner, chairman M V. Joseph, Robert Jemison, N. H. Sewal and J. B. Gibson.
 B. B. Conner, chairman of the special com mittee appointed a year ago to confer witt the railroads and secure better freight rate for Birmingham if possible, stated that tn, committee was still at work on the matter but that he had nothing to report at this time. While up he said he desired to make a statement with regard to the Avondale cotton mill, of which he is president He stated that the earnings of the mill to da tt were $14O,000, and that the directors had de- cided to pay a dividend in the spring. He said the paid up capital of the company was $375OO0 and that with the earnings added the company now has a capital of S515, 900 He added that the mill would be enlarged this year, the enlargement practically re- sulting in the building of a new mill with about 25O00 spindles.
 Steiner Resolution Defeated.
 The resolution introduced by B. Steiner at the last meeting of the club expressing