The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-06-30
Retiring President McCary
 Made Ills Report
ACTING GOVERNOR SPOKE
He Condemned Pistol Totlne and Lynchine and Was APpIauded. Underwood Spoke on Transpor-
 tatIon ad Free Trade.

Trade was held last night in the dining room of the Hotel Hillman, and about fifty representative citizens-members of the organization-and their friends were present The weather kept many people away. Had it been fair it was expected that at least 15O would have attended
 Retiring President J. H. McCary read his annual report, and then introduced Simon Klotz, the new president. The principal speakers of the evening were Acting Governor Cunningham, Congress- man Underwood, Mayor Drennen and Ad- jutant General W. W Brandon.
 In his report Mr. McGary outlined the work of the Board of Trade during the past year, referring to its fight to keep trading stamps out of the city, to secure lower insurance rates, lower freight rates, and cheaper gas.
 Governor Cunningham.
 Acting Goverrfor Cunningham spoke at some length, and mentioned many things which would tend to uplift Alabama ma- terially and morally. He touched on tho matter of pistol toting, and said that as long as the individual of the state or community sought redress from his rear pocket and not through the courts, Ala bama would be below the standard of civilization. as that standard is judged today.
 He also said that as long as the people of a community took the law in their hands and administered it and violated the law themselves, just that long Ala bama would remain below the standard of civilization. The speaker urged im- migration as one way of upbuilding the material welfare of the state, and said that when the Panama canal Is built, the Warrior river opened for navigation and the life and property of citizens was en- tirely safe, then there would be a flood of immigration to Alabama which would Increase the population a hundred fold. His expressions in regard to pistol toting and lynching were warmly applauded. The acting governor spoke strongly in defense of the supremacy of the law, and urged the Board of Trade to make that and more universal education throughout the state two of their issues in the future.
 congressman underwood.
 Congressman Underwood spoke of the growth of Birmingham. He described the city a number of years ago and then pie tured It's growth. He also spoke of the many things which would so to build up the city and state, dwelling at some length on transportation. which he re- ferred to as the keynote to progress and development. He also spoke of free trade, and said that when American vessels were able to carry coal to South Ameri- can ports and return laden, they would then be able to compete with the English vessels, but until then the English were able to land coal and other products cheaper in ports which should be con trolled by American trade than the American vessels. He also said that cot ton goods could be shipped to the orient cheaper by the English firms thar by the American firms, as the English vessels carried paying cargo each way, while the American ships were more than apt to return to this country empty on &C., count of the trade conditions.
 Mayor Drannen outlined the various &C., coInpllsnmentS or the board or trade in the past years, and expressed a hope that this and similar commercial bodies would continue to work for the good of the city. Colonel Brandon spoke enthusiastically of the Vulcan statue, which he termed the greatest and most appropriate exhibi- tion which could have been sent to the exposition at this opertune time. He also spoke on the power of unity of action, which he said was the jist of all the talks he had heard and which would accom- plish more towsrds making Birmingham the greatest city of the south than any thing else. President Jackson of the Com. mercial club also spoke on the desire for unity of purpose among the citizens
 Short speeches were made by John L. Parker. E.<Wilkinson. Hugh McGeevei End J. B. Gibson The latter urged on the governor and others present the necessity of technological schools in Alabama where the youth of this state could be trained in all the technical. electrical and mechanical branches, while at the same time they received the usual literary edu- cation.
 John w O'Neill acted as toastmaster and his introductions were very happy.