The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-02
BOARD OF TRADE
 HAS BUSY SESSION
Merchants Want Tax for Dis- tributing Circulars Removed
CIRCUS TAX COMES UP
After Considerable Discussion Resolu- ton Is Passed Calling on City Coun- ell to Lay a License Tax of
 $50 on the Big Shows.

l, The Board of Trade held an enthusiastic meeting yesterday afternoon in the Tom linson building. President McCary, who was absent from the last meeting on ac- count of illness, was present and presided.
 Prof J. M. Dewberry of the license committee reported that the committee had held a meeting and, after full dis cussion had recommended that an item ized schedule be abolished and a general schedule based on values be recommended to the board of mayor s..fd aldermen for adoption.
 John W. O'Neill spoke on the question. He said that the merchants had been ar rested for distributing circulars on the streets in violation of the license ordi- nance imposing a license of $l5 on mer- chants for distributing circulars adver- Using their own business. He introduced a resolution that the Board of Trade re- commend to the mayor and board of all dermen that the license schedule be amended so as to except local merchants from the license for distributing circulars i and pamphlets and other advertising mat ter for their own business. The motion was adopted. The report of the license committee was received and concurred in.
 A motion was carried to the effect that the board of aldermen be requested to place Alderman John w. O'Neill on its miscellaneous committee.
 As to Circus Licenses.
 The matter of taxing circuses was dis cussed. It developed that there was some diversity of opinion on this question, some of the members being in favor of prohib- iting them altogether, If possible; and others being in favor of a reasonable li- cense. At the conclusion of the discus sion a motion was carried that the board endorse the resolution presented by MT. l O'Neill to the city council that circuses be taxed S150.
 l A motion was carried that the matter of certain railroads being granted rights of way by the legislature over certain streets of Birmingham be referred to a committee to investigate and report on. The committee appointed was Messrs. ] Wood, Glib, Tomlinson and Klotz. ] Mir. Dewberry, chairman of the com- mittee on street railways, said that some i action should be taken to secure five cent fares where ten cent fares now prevail. 1 It was brought out in this connection | that the board had been promised a five- cent fare as soon as double tracks were built. It was pointed out that the com- l pany had double tracks on almost all l lines where ten-cent fares were charged. 1 A motion was carried that the board of trade urge the newspapers to take up and push the fight for a five-cent fare.
 Delivery of Freight.
 l The following resolution introduced by MT. Wood was passed
 Resolved; That, whereas a great many | complaints are continually being made by merchants and business men against the delay in delivering cars of freight and against the management of the Ala bama Car Service association for failure to pay car service and demurrage on "all cars delayed over 4s hours at points of destination, etc." and for failure as we construe it, failing, or refusing to pay for all cars delayed and failing to obey i your order of August 3, 1901, and, also, in causing very much business friction and unpleasantness by evading or at tempting to evade, or delay the payment to shippers and buyers and consgnors and consignees; for delay to all cars de- layed at points of destination in state of Alabama.
 Therefore we respectfully and urgently request and appeal to you the railroad commission of Alabama. and also, the presidents and traffic managers of the several railroads who are operating in Alabama to carefully and fully investi- gate promptly all complaints made about these delays and demurrage matters and charges, and apply some remedy or make every reasonable effort to remedy this growing and great evil and wrong as we believe the wrong can be found and applied in some more satisfactory way, if the effort Is made by the railroad com mission of Alabama and the railroad off cials of the Alabama railroads.