The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-09
COLLINS PRESIDENT
 OF BOARD OF TRADE
 AT ANNUAL MEETING
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5.)

taken by the City Council to better tho water situation.
 A standpipe furnishing additional water pressure necessary for adequate fire pro- lection on the South Highlands was taken up by the board, and the standpipe is now being erected, as a result of the agi- tation on this subject.
 Endorsement was given the idea or prin- ciple of cooperation and coordination as set forth by the plan for improvement of the Coosa river as undertaken by the Coosa River Power company, and the United States government, by which plan the benefits of open navigation of this stream and cheap power as well are ex- pected to accrue to our people.
 Greater Birmingham.
 An active stand has been taken in the matter of Greater Birmingham" Com mittees were appointed who went to Montgomery to assist in the passage of the King bill, which bill was unfortu- nately rendered of non-effect and de- clared unconstitutional owing to errors in the senate journal. This matter is now being taken up again and a live com nittee has been appointed to continue the fight for Greater Birmingham" Ar guments in favor of Greater Birming- ham, and the necessity for it are not only local but from a standpoint of state wide importance are of such force that there is little difference of opinion on this subject and we are practically as- sured Greater Birmingham when the extra session of the legislature meets this summer. Our committee which is CO., operating with a similar committee from the Chamber of Commerce is headed by MT. J. E. Shelby, chairman, who was recently also appointed e member of the new Greater Birmingham committee' of the Chamber of Commerce.
 The Ensley board of trade, an active and progressive organization recently es- tablished, has come out iat-footedly in favor of coming into Birmingham and making possible the greater city, in- cluding Ensley. This action of the Ems ley board of trade will have very fa- vorable effect upon the situation.
 Better Directory Procured.
 One item of great value not only to the merchants but to the entire city, which has been accomplished through the influence and efforts of the board of trade, was the procuring of a much bet ter city directory for 1909 than Birming- ham has had in previous years. Com plaints were made to your president that the information contained in the 1908 city directory was inaccurate and incomplete and conference was called which in- cluded committees from the Commercial club, and the Real Estate Dealers asso- ciation, the Manufacturers association, postoffice officials, etc.. who met with our committee in the Board of Trade rooms and agreed upon certain require ments which the Birmingham directory should measure up to to prove satis- factory, and these requirements were agreed to by formal contract between the publishers, R. l.. Polk & Co. and this committee and a considerably more accurate and satisfactory city directory was the result.
 The Outlook.
 Notwithstanding, however. gentlemen. some of the unpropitious things referred to. which it has been and will continue to be our effort to remedy, I am and always have been an optimist regarding Birmingham. l believe that we have the