The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-02-10
ASK EXTRA SESSION
 ID ENLARGE CITY
Board Of Trade Will Petition
 The Governor
WORKING FOR STATE FAIR
Water Question Is Also Taken Up and J. E. Shelby Submits Report on Investigation of Ritmng-
 hams Freight Rates.

The Birmingham Board of Trade held a well attended meeting yester- day afternoon and jumped down to work on Greater Birmingham, munich pal ownership of water works cheap CT railroad rates and the Alabama State fair, with both feet.
 The board passed resolutions peti- tioning Governor Conner to call an extra session of the legislature to pass Greater Birmingham bill and a com mittee of 15 was appointed to wait upon him as soon as he returns to the city.
 Necessity for State Fair.
 The question of a state fair was brought up by Otto Marx who stated that in his opinion it would be a dis grace for the merchants and business men of Birmingham to allow year to pass without a state fair. We have just gottenato the place where we can offer the visitors here their moneys worth," he said. Lost years fair was great success and everyone went away perfectly pleased. The ] board should back up the project with fNS iitSiSS anu lAS 6OOQ WILL ana push 1t through Birmingham people need to stack up behind their enterprises | and talk them for all they are worth ,s Colman Blach delcared that last year the visitors in his store were unani- mously of the opinion that the fair was great, well managed and many. he said promised to come back again. MT. Blach thought that nothing brought so much trade to a city as a. ci L,,-f terprise which would help the city and everyone in 1t. thought it full time to begin active preparations for a 1909 fair
 In discussing Greater Birmingham the board thought that the water prob lems of Birmingham should also be considered in the call for an extra ses- sion. There were speeches made point ing out the necessity for a greater city both for purposes of sanitation and health. The following urgent resolu- tions were then unanimously adopted: For Greater Birmingham.
 Whereas, it appears that the Great CT Birmingham act will likely be de- clared unconstitutional on account of certain irregularities appearing in the senate journal, which will defeat the hopes of the membership of the Board of trade, who have labored so ardous- ly for this important measure, unless active steps are begun for the passage of new law; and
 Whereas. such a law cannot be passed before the next federal census except by special session of the legis- lature, to be convened in extraordinary session by the governor: and Whereas, we regard Greater Bir- | mingham the most important question confronting the people of Birmingham. which has statewide significance, and is of vital interest to the people of this entire commonwealth; and
 Whereas. the question of Greater Birmingham having been left to a vote of the people in the territory to com prise same was indorsed by a great popular majority;
 Therefore, be 1t resolved by the Birmingham Board of Trade that 1t if the sense of this body that the people of Birmingham are entitled to have as a matter of right the full benefit of law such as was passed by the last legislature, giving us Greater Birmingham and which we are likely to lose without any fault on tn @ part of the people of Birmingham
 "Be it further resolved that we ex- ert our best efforts to secure such law and to that end the Brming ham Board of Trade does hereby petition Governor Conner to convene the legis- lature in extraordinary session to pass a Greater Birmingham act and there by place Birmingham in her proper status in the next census among the great southern cities.
 Be it further resolved that a com mittee from this organization be ap- pointed to walt upon the governor and present to him copy of this reso- lution and urge him to a favorable conclusion on this very important question:"
 The committee appointed was as fol- lows; J. E. Shelby c. Blach, M V. Joseph J. D. Collins, J. w. Tomlinson, J. A. Van Hoose, M A. Myatt, Col Caheen, J. L. Parker, c. c. Heidt, w M. Drennen w. B. Dickerson Otto Marx, Roy Mccullough, R. F. Collins, E. Wilkerson.
 Discuss Water Question.
 The aldermen present discussed the various propositions for water supply and came to the conclusion that the Sipsey river is the best source for pure water to supply the district. AL derman Cooper told of his visit to the forks of the Warrior and believed that active steps should be taken by Bir- mingham looking toward the investi- gation and requirement of the right to 
 In this connection a resolution was adopted indorsing the plan of the Coosa River Electric and Power company and urging upon the Alabama representa- lives to use their best endeavors to pass the ,bill In behalf of the pro- ject.
 Report on Freight Rates.
 J. E. Sh elby made a full report of freight rates, as follows:
 MT. President At former meeting of this body I was charged with the duty of Investigating the matter of Freight rates to and from this city with view of recommending the necessary action to secure a more equitable ad- .'ustment. In the discharge of this duty I beg to submit the following re- port. It was not long after I began Investigating this subject before I dis covered that the making and applica- tion of freight rates were as full of complications and technicalties as the law and to the lay mind about as diff flcult to comprehend. Before I com pleted my investigation I was almost ready to believe that the average rail- road traffic official could absolutely prove, beyond all hope of contradic- tion. that any rate published in his tariff was fair and just and equitable. even though it actually confiscated the goods and levied a premium upon the shipper for the privilege However, I learned a few facts concernine. this matter which may be of interest. I find that eour wholesale and jobbing trade cannot reach beyond very limited territory on account of higher freight