The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-08
BOARD OF TRADE ON CROSSING EVIL Will Do All They Can To Assist
 Council OPPOSED TO WATER METERS New Officers Are Installed and Ringing Call Is Made on Merchants To
 Take More Interest In
 Civic Affairs.

was that contained in resolution com mending the Board of Aldermen and the Mayor in all their efforts to abolish the grade crossings in the city of Birming- ham. A committee to take the matter up was immediately appointed, consisting of J. D. Collins, chairman; J. E. Shelby, W. D. Dickinson, Jacob Burger and Alex Mcleod, and 1t was so enthusiastically in favor of building subways and viaducts that it will go to work immediately to do what it can toward seeing that the rail- roads and street car company get busy to prevent any more disasters. The matter was extensively discussed,
 and the unanimous sentiment of the meet ing was a fair example of the general
 opinion. "We have been trifled with long
 enough" they said, "and now is the time
 for action"
 But the meeting was interesting from
 other points of view. It included the re-
 ports of the retiring officers and the in
 auguration of R. w. Ewing as president
 The report of retiring President Heidt
 is full of accomplishment, but there is
 ringing call on the merchants to take
 more interest in civic and industrial af-
 fairs.
 Jacob Burger made a strong kick
 against the electric light and gas rates,
 declaring them higher in Birmingham
 than anywhere else in the south. Water
 rates also came up for consideration, ana
 it was the sense of the meeting that
 meters should not be used.
 Here is the report of President c. c. Heidt
 President Heidt's Report.
 "The Board of Trade started out year ago under the administration now retiring with a resolution indorsing the King bills creating Greater Birmingham, (which were then pending in the legisla- lure. The Board of Trade lent It's ln- lluence in favor of these bills and worked or the passage When they became the aw the Birmingham district had ac- | omplished the first requisite for great dty. It is a matter of congratulation
 tat a movement in which the board had 1 sown a keen interest should come to |
 1 sccessful issue.
 1 I.The board at this time took part in the l nDvement to have repealed the tax on | fceign loan companies and was very mch gratifed when this law was re- 1 peled.
 1 also notice that at that first meet 1 ini we were interested in securing the l passage of a law empowering the city to hale viaducts for grade crossings. This l law also has become reality. l 1t is with great deal of pleasure that wereview some of the occurrences of the l pat year. On the other hand panic hal come and (we are now hoping) gone. Tn business houses of the Birmingham district have weathered the financial stotn without many serious mishaps. The confidence of the business men of the Birmingham district has not been shaken. and they look forward to the future without fear or apprehension "Ihe Board of Trade has taken keen interest in all questions and movements
 affecting the material welfare of this
 community. However, the board mas
 wisely refrained from taking part in fac
 tional fights or purely political move-
 ments. It's object has been to assist in
 the material upbuilding of Birmingham,
 and more particularly to see that the
 business men of Birmingham have a
 square deal.
 we note with pleasure that the fame
 of our city is attracting the attention Of people everywhere. Every convention and
 every assembly that meets within our
 gates helps to spread the fame of the
 Magic City" We have every reason to
 believe that the future in store for us
 will far exceed the past performances" \ During the past year radNal changes have been made in our laws, customs and Institutions. Probably there was never a l Immunity or state that experienced in | sch a short time changes of such l sAepins character While it is early yet | to ender a verdict as to the benefits or
 disaivantages of some of these innova-
 tions we are forced to the conclusion that Nhe adaptability of our people to
 changkl conditions is their most striking
 trait. pnder whatever conditions they l have t0\do business they seem to pros- per. Tht is not only due to the intrepid spirit of pur business men, but largely based on he wonderful resources of our | district
 Word of Criticism. There is snly word of criticism that desire to make, and that is that the business mel of Birmingham do not
 take sufficientinterest in matters of pub
 lie concern Quite large per cent of the business mn leave the work to be done by few. If all would join in and
 assist in public movements the results
 would be obtained quicker Some plan should be devised to secure the co-opera. ton of all membefs of the Board Of Trade in movements of public interest. Possibly the feature of the entire year was the annual dinner of the board at which the distinguished visitors, Hon. William J. Bryan and Judson Harmon were guests The general verdict was that this affair was the most brilliant ever given by any organization in Bir- mingham These annual dinners of the board have acquired reputation throughout the south and have attracted attention to our organization. The board has also assisted in entertaining other distinguished visitors.
 "1he retiring president desires to thank oAt..rs pd tho rnemharc or