The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-01-11
LUMBERMEN OF TWO
 STATES MEET HERE Alabama and Tennessee Retail
 Dealers Hold Convention BANQUETAT COUNTRY CLUB Wholesalers Warned to "shinny on Their Own Side"-Eort to Enlarge
 Scope of Interstate Commerce
 Commission Is Endorsed.
BANQUETAT COUNTRY CLUB

That the effort made by the President to enlarge the scope of the interstate commerce commission so as to bring rail- ways within federel jurisdiction is enlist ing popular comr1endaticn was illustrat- ed yesterday wlen Sta first annual con vention of the Alabama and Tennessee Re- tail Lumber Dealers association was held in Birmingham.
 The proposed extension of the powers of the interstate commerce commission was Interestingly discussed by lumber men at the conventions business meet ing in the afternoon at the TIillman and became the subject of a great deal of in- formal comment at the banquet given the members of the association last night at the Country club The lumbermen were almost unanimous that the present system of railway shipments is unsatis- factory and that remedial legislation of a radical nature is required. Almost all of them hoped that federal power would be invoked In order to compel the rail- ways to be more expeditions in delivery orders
 The Organization.
 The association was founded by Br- mingham men year ago. Its officers are: Richard Randolph, president; C. c. Heidt. vice president; W. E. wailes, sec- retary and treasurer. The board of direc- tors includes ". J. Wallace of Nashville W. P. McBroom of Chattanooga, F. J. Shepard of Ensley, A. N. Nelson of Bir- M.ngham, E. c. Payne of New Decatur. A. N. Booth of Huntsville, w. J. Mur- phy of Knoxville and c. J. Frickhoffer of Birmingham.
 The purpose of tho association is to protect the retail lumber dealer in his rights to compel the wholesale dealer ito shinny on his own side' and to see that the retailer has adequate capi- tai, gets labor at satisfactory wages and Is protected from encroachments at tempted by wholesalers and contrac- tors.
 The Convention. When the convention was called to or- der yesterday afternoon at 2:3O o'clock at the Hillman fifty men who well rep- resent the industrial enterprise of Ala bama and Tennessee were present. Many of the principal cities of these two states were represented. Among these cities were Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knox Vile, Nashville, Decatur, Huntsville, Ems ley and Bessemer. After a constitution and set of bylaws of the association had been adopted and score of new mem bers had been admitted, the convention discussed these questions:
 l. Who are the legitimate customers of the retailers?
 the wholesalers?
 g. What can be done to promote the welfare of the association and it's mem- bers?
 Interstate Commerce Laws.
 It was in discussing the third question that the convention expressed it's satls- faction with the proposition to enlarge the scope of the interstate commerce law so that the railways would be com pelled to provide better service for ship pers of lumber.
 At the close of the meeting. visiting members of the association were enter tained by the Birmingham members, and at o'clock all went out to dine at the Country club. Among those present at the banquet board were: c. c. Heidt, who acted as toastmaster; w. J. Wallace, Richard Randolph, A. W. Nelson, w. D. Wood. J. D. Jervis, P. c. Payne. M. c. Reynolds w. J. Boots, w. M. French, F J. Shepperd, A. J. Krebs, Charles Frickhoffer, s. H. Norris, J. M Jen- kins, J. Richardson, f. P. McBroom, Lee Wilcox and s. F. King.
 In response to invitations from the toastmaster brief speeches were made by many members present, each one ex- pressing his satisfaction with the work done by the association and promising tv do all fin his power to promote it's advancement.
 The next convention will meet in Chat tanooga the third Tuesday In August. tbfe