The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-05-11

idly in the state. Two years ago there were 6f3 on the rolls. last year 632 and this year only 63S Tn his address retiring President I. H. DeWees expressed regret at the slow growth and hoped some means would be adopted to better it. He noted that the membership of the national as sociation had increased 400 last year. Every member present pledged himself to bring in at least two new associates this year.
 It was shown by the secretary treasurer that the receipts from dues were $549l. 75. Of this amount 80 per cent was sent to general headquarters. The actual receipts of the Alabama association were $l39IOS, and disbursements $1015.S2
 The Rate Problem.
 In his report as chairman of the rail road committee Robert Cunningham said there were very few complainants to make. The roads had been responsive to calls for reduced rates to meetings and the equipment and accommodations are becoming better all the time. Of the pre- Vailing freight rate problem, he said: "rhe great freight rate problem now be- ing discussed in Congress and agitated from center to circumference of our en- tire country. could be settled by the uni versal adoption of interchangeable mile age, thus reducing the expenses of sell
  proximatey as much as an Illegal rebate to certain shippers to the exclusion of others, and thus benefit all alike and re- moving all discrminations" Many Alabama hotels are criticised in the report of the hotel committee chair man, N. H. Frolichstein of Mobile. Many have not clean linen and do not take proper care for the com.ort of their guests, it was asserted. The manager of the Royal hotel at Opelika, about which complaint had been made, explained that he raised his rates because he could not live at the old rate and he said that if things did not suit the drummers they need not stop with him. A jolt or two is made at the tippnig evil, which has begun to be a nuisance in Alabama hotels. The association appointed a committee to get busy at once to secure the next national meeting for Birmingham. San Antonio, Tex, Asheville N. C. and Nor folk, Va, are already after the meeting.
 List of Officers. The election of officers resulted in the choice of the following: President Rob ert Cunningham, Birmingham: vice presi- dents in the order named, H. NJ. Hopper. Mobile: A. G. Forbes. Montgomery: l.. E. Mayer, Demopolis; j. c. Bender, Selma.
 Chairman railroad committee, F. J. Meyer, Montgomery.
 Chairman legislative committee, J. w. Weiss, Mobile.
 Chairman press committee, c. F. Moritz. Montgomery.
 Chairman hotel committee. F. s. Req, Birmingham.
 Chairman employment committee. John w. O'Neill. Birmingham.
 State Directors-O. F. Smith. Selma R.. N. Mabry and H. F. Shropshire, Birmlng- ham: S. Gassenheimer. Montgomery.
 Delegates to national convention in Buff falo. June 11-l1. John w. ONeill, $. l.. Strong Birmingham; l.. C. Cardinal. George w. Jones, R. B. Lowe. Montgom- cry: Henry Hess. Mobile; A. j. Atkins, Selma Alternates. B. B. Martin, J. N Cunningham c. F.. Conner, Birmingham H. J. Cashman. Mobile, C. C. Cleveland Selma; J. M Kennedy and s. Gassen- hemer. Montgomery.
 The delegates were allowed S2o each ex- pense money to the national association.