The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-15
Collins Speech Before
Board Of Trade Meeting

On retiring from the presidency of the
Board of Trade, j. d. Collins spoke as
follows yesterday afternoon:
As retiring president of the Board
of Trade. I will say that while we have
been a little passive at times, much
good has been accomplished for it's mem
bers and the mercantile interests of our
city at large during the past year. / am
profoundly conscious of the confidence
me as the head of this body, and l keen
ly feel the responsibility of the position
and assure you that / am proud of the
honor bestowed on me. In the future
shall continue to work as zealously in
the ranks as 1 have in the past.
Membership
1.-The policy of the Board of Trade,
as in the past is to have an active, in
1uential membership, rather than num-
bers; it's membership being confined to
merchants only, actively engaged in bust
ness in Birmingham. This being the only
commercial organization which restricts
its membership to merchants, and to
those of unquestionable standing, one can
readily see the advantage to its members
collectively and individually
Executive and Committee Work
Much of the work of the Board of
Trade is disposed of by it's officers and
committees, never coming before the pub
lie or its entire membership. Matters of
grave interest to the Board of Trade,
to its individual members, are frequently
acted upon through the attorney without
cost, matters that otherwise would cost
the members an amount equal to several
years dues. Frequently questions of
license, taxation, etc, that would have re-
suited in loss or considerable cost and
much vexation to it's members affecting
merchants, are given special attention by
the attorney or by the committees.
Inquiries
Your president receives and disposes
of a much larger mail than one would
suppose-his personal attention is given
to many matters that require time and
thought. These matters are disposed of
from day to day without coming before
the board In all trade inquiry letters
the names of firms that are members of
the board are given to prospective buy
ers, when such merchandise is carried
by members of the board. Many mat
ters have been referred to other organ
izations for action in reference to estab-
fishing industries, etc.
Good Roads
Among the many movements in which
the Board of Trade has taken an active
interest during the past year has been
that of good roads. 1t was through the
influence of the Board of Trade that the
annual meeting of the Alabama Good
Roads association was invited and held In
the city of Birmingham last October.
This meeting was one of the largest good
roads meetings ever held in the south.
Theye were more delegates and prom
inent good roads speakers in attendance
than in any convention that has assem-.
roads.
1t Is with pardonable pride that state
that the Board of Trade raised the money
for the entertainment Of this convention
The Alabama Good Roads association
deserves great praise for the work 1t has
done during the past six years in advanc-
ing the cause of good roads in this state,
and l am glad to state that the Board Of
Trade has been its active ally in this
good work. Let us urge that we continue
the work for good roads In Alabama. With
good roads the hills and valleys of this
surrounding countryNcan be made to pro.
duce millions Of dollars worth Of food
products. which are now being brought