The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-12
INSTALL OFFICERS OF BOARD OF TRADE President MeCary 0utIins His Policy for Ensuing Year WANTS MANY THINGS Over 100 Members of Club and Guests Were Present-Report of Retir-
 ing President J. D.
 collins.
WANTS MANY THINGS

At the annual meeting of the board Of trade last night the officers for the en- suing year were installed Retiring President J. D. Collins read his report for the past year. and President J. H. Mccary outlined to some extent the work of the club for the year to come.
 There were a number of talks by mem bers of the club and guests. Among those who spoke were M. V. Joseph, the Rev pr. stagg. John w. O'Neill, the Hon. Oscar w. Underwood, the Rev. A. J. Dickinson Ross C. Smith, J. B. Gib- son, J. A. Mcknight, B. H. Cooper, Sec retary Jones of the Retail Grocers' asso- citation, and others.
 A nice luncheon was served after the meeting There were about 100 members of the board and guests present The speech of President McCary was as fol- lows:
 Mir President Gentlemen of the Board of
 Trade and Visiting Fiends
 1 return to you full measure of thanks for honoring me with the presidency of the Board of Trade of Birmingham. Composed as it Is of representative busi- ness men, the class of men whose ener- BY dHu Dfdlu are DOlenl III lhc development and up-bulding of this dis trict.
 I keenly appreciate the responsibility of following the superb administration of my worthy predecessor, one of the best in the history of this organization.
 This is wonderful age in which we live and this Is the most wonderful coun- try of this age. On every hand we see evidences of material progress and pros perity of growth and energy as the world has never before witnessed. No enter prise seems too difficult to be undertaken. no task too lard to be mastered, and no point of development too high to be reached. These bread fields of trade in this district are ours, let us go out and claim them.
 The great and small enterprises of this country are looking to this district for development. Let LIS extend to them the welcome hand and invite them to come and help us develop this-the greatest sec- ton of this or any other country.
 My meagre strength and energy I now dedicate to you and this cause and ask the assistance in this work of each mem Der. Let us do our full duty
 We are modest In our intentions. we do not intend to build a wheat pit" an iron pitt or a "cotton pit" in which bulls and bears" are to be matched in a deadly and debauching struggle for cor ners, or undue advantages. but our pur- pose is to build up the fair and legitimate trade interests of Birmingham
 There are many problems to be solved, many delicate and complex matters to be discussed, let us be fair and considerate for all interests.
 We may not be able to accomplish all we ask for. but we will try to get fair and equitable freight rates, suburban transportation facilities. secure municipal ownership of public utilities, correct mer- cantile abuses, promote the commercial interest of our city, secure Greater Bir- mingham and other things which we have in hand of which we hope to learn much from some of the orators present, and I will call on brother M. V. Joseph for the first lesson.
 The talk of J. D. Collins was in part as follows: According to the usual GUS tom of the retiring president I make this final report giving the condition of the organization and some of it's main accomplishments during the year.
 "The Board of Trade can point to the fact that it has accomplished during the year good many things, not only for the benefit of merchants, but for the pub lie generally. For instance, the defeat of the effort to fix meters on private res
  ment for more, better and cheaper water for Birmingham; the securing of a one- third reduction in the basis rate of in- surance; the successful fight for railroad commission law, giving the railroad com mission of Alabama adequate powers and making it elective by the people; the election of four of it's members to the board of mayor and aldermen of Birming- ham; the successful plotting out of all trading stamp sehemes; the securing of better accommodation train service into and out of Birmingham, and the success full location of many new enterprises In Birmingham during the year, and the accomplishment of many other matters familiar to the board.
 l beg further to report that the member ship of the organization is larger than 1t has been at any time since its organ ization, and that the organization Is in a prosperous condition and that the har- mony and good will that now exists be- tween the members promise the accom- pshment of even more in the future than has been accomplished in the past. The president takes the occasion to thank all of the members of the organiza- tion for their help and cooperation dur ing the year in forwarding the interests Of the members and the community in general. Respectfully.
 J. D. COLLINS.