The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-08-26
CHAMBER ID OPPOSE. PROPOSAL ID RAISE
 GOAL RATES IN STATE
Report of Railroads and Transportation Committee Unanimously Adopted
 by the Board

The board of directors of the Cham- Ter of Commerce yesterday authorized President r. C.. Shook to appoint 4 committee to attend the meeting of the state railroad commission in Mont gomery. September l4, for the purpose Of vigorously fighting the proposed in- crease in freight rates on coal from Birmingham to Alabama points. This action followed the reading of the re- port of the railroads and transporta- tion committee of the chamber on the {. proposed rate Increase
 Some days ago the coal operators of the Birmingham district brought to the attention of the directors of tue Chamber of Commerce. the fact that the railroads had asked the railroad commission to increase the rates on coal from Birmingham to certain Ala bama points by 10 cents on the ton. The directors of the chamber referred the matter to their railroads and trans portation committee. This committee called the coal operators together and heard their side of the story. Repre- sentatives of the railroads then were heard and the committee got together to prepare It's report
 Decision Is Unanimous The decision of the committee was unanimous that the increase should not he granted and 1t so reported to the directors yesterday morning The re- l"rt of the committee was read 10 the directors and John W. Sihles- moved tEat it's recommendations be adopted J. Frank Rushton Immediately second ed the motion. MT Shook asked if there vas any discussion and not n man To .sed his voice. He then put the ques- ton and the motion was carried with q bang. l.. Sevier is a member of the board of directors and was present but had nothing to say prior to the vote.
 He made few remarks after the mo tion had passed in which he said that the rate was small compared to the proportion of the Birmingham output. which would be affected by it. The pro- posed increase of 10 cents a ton is from Birmingham to Annisson, Talladega ana Sylacauea. No other points would be affected.
 The meeting of the directors lasted about 20 minutes. Little was said and all present seemed anxious to get back. to work. The business in hand was dis patched without an Unnecessary word CT motion.
 The report of the railroads and | transportation committee was signed by every member of the committee ex- ccpt Haskns Williams. who was out
 of town. It is in full as follows. Report of Committee ITO the Board of Directors Of the Bir- mngham Chamber of Commerce.: "yoIr railroads and transportation committee. to which was referred the que stion of the increase of rates for carrying coal in the Birmingham dis | trict, asked for by the railroads, begs
 leave to report as fellows | "vour committee has given hearings | to authorized representatives of the has given them full opportunity to pre-
 sent all facts bearing on this mat | ter.
 Having heard the arguments and having considered them carefully all | of the committee present are unan-
 nous in their decision to recommend
 to the board of directors of the Bir- minsham Chamber of Commerce that they go on record as being opposed to
 th.. proposed raises and that they send a live end representative committee to Monteo'nery to appear before the state railroad commission stnd vigorously protest against the proposed increase l in rates. Respectfully submitted. "R. A. PORTER I "J. Fl EDDY, | M. P. WORTHlNGTON. | '-a NJ. JENKINS,
 "Railroads and Transportation com mittee.