The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-12
BOARD OF TRADE ANNUAL MEETING Reports Submitted on Work
 For the Year PARKER IS PRESIDENT O'Neill Reviews Efforts for Good Roads and Ewing Reports on
 Value of Local Insurance
 Companies

At the regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trade held yesterday afternoon at o'clock In the First National Bank building, the installation of officers re- gently elected for the ensuing year was effected, in addition to other important business in the nature of yearly reports.
 The affairs of the organization will be directed for the coming year by pr, John l. Parker as president. He will have the strong cooperation of Jacob Burger. first vice president; W. T. Cox. second vice president; Morris Berk. third vice president; George McCleer.y, fourth vice president; Sol Caheen. fifth vice pres dent, Ferd Marx, sixth vice president; Robert w. Ewing, seventh vice president; John W. Tomlinson, attorney, and Roy Mccullough, secretary.
 In accepting the place 70 which he was recently elected Dr. Parker, with few sincere and well chosen remarks, ex- pressed his appreciation of the honor con ferred upon him and proceeded to out line the main channels through which the activities of the Board of Trade have been pushed previously and are to be pur- sued hereafter for the upbuilding of the city and district.
 He said that it would be the policy of the board under his administration to bring about better conditions in the way of streets and public roads more de- srable water rates, and lower light rates, a revision of the insurance rates by the Southeastern Tariff association, general upbuilding of the public schools, and many other such questions as go to make up the progressiveness of a community. Dr. Parker's talk received hearty and unanimous applause.
 Retiring Presidents Report
 Prior to the installation of officers the report of the retiring president was read by Secretary Roy Mccullough, in the absence of former President Cooper The report is given herewith:
 "The year past. has been an active one for the Board of Trade. The members have stood together almost one man for measures meaning much to the mer- chants of the city, and to the citizens generally There has been a spirit of cooperation and mutual helpfulness which I especially want to commend and the results attained is the reward.
 Commission Government
 "The Board of Trade, by resolution, and also by active work of a committee appointed by its president, and also by work of its members, had a prominent hand in the successful conclusion of the commission government fight. Early real izing that commission government would be good thing for the city, the Board of Trade lndorsed the idea and Its mem bers individually and collectively dissem- mated the idea and when the real fight came before the legislature, Board of Trade members did their share and stood shoulder to shoulder with other com mercial organizations of Birmingham for the city's good.
 Five-Cent Fare
 '"rhe end of the 5-cent fare fight, origi- mated by the Board of Trade and backed up so ably by the Birmingham Ledger, I am gratifed to report, is in s..ht Imme- dately on their installation into office the
 
 this important matter with the Birming- ham Railway. Light and Power company, and I believe that inside of 30 days the citizens of Ensey will be enjoying a > cent fare the same as other citizens of the city are enjoying. The members of the Board of Trade have earnestly fought for this end and are to be congra tuated upon the practically successful conclusion of their fight.
 Good Roads
 Recognizing the need for good roads in Alabama, the Board of Trade has not been backward in indorsing and working to this end. The Board of Trade indorsed the idea of a state highway commission and committee was sent to Montgom- cry to work for the passage of the bill before the legislature How well they succeeded is now matter of history. Where Good Roads are concerned, the Board of Trade has stool in the front rank. and 1 believe will continue to do so.
 Not only has the Board of Trade been active for good roads, but the organiza- ton has earnestly and actively fought for the removal of the unsightly, unsan- itary and rough Belgian blocks in the heart of the business section of Birming- ham. From time to time committees ap- peared before the old city council ask ing that these blocks be replaced by a more modern pavement and just before the present commission took charge an ordinance was passed for their removal. The matter, however, has since been blocked and the rough pavement still con- tinues an eye-sore to the citizens of this city and 8 detriment to the merchants. The matter is now in the hands of the commission with Q prospect of final set clement. A
 Merchants Lights
 'The matter of extortonate prices which the merchants of Birmingham nav for their electric lights has been handled by committee from this body The mat ter has been brought sauarely up to the Railway, Light and Power and some concessions will be made. I am of the opinion that with equally as insistent work in the future. the merchants of Birmingham will be enabled to get their lights on a fair basis in comparison with other cities of the 
 Revenue Bill
 "The Board of Trade did not overlook the merchant when the recent legislature was considering a revenue bill. A com mttee from this body appeared in Mont gomery to look out after the interest. of the merchants and business men of 5tha