The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-23
CAMP PA|GN FOR NEW MEMBERS OF BOARD WILL CLOSE TODAY
President Ewing Is Pleased With Results-Teams to Report at Lunch
 Today

The Board of Trade membership cam paign is being pushed actively by the 10 teams in the field and it will come to n close at noon today, when all the teams adjourn to the Birmingham Newspaper club to lunch, and make their reports.
 In the absence from the city of Chair man colman Blach of the membership committee of the club. President Robert W, Ewing is personally supervising the campaign for new members and is being assisted by Vice President ! D. Rosen- berger. Mir. Ewing said yesterday aft ernoon that the progress of the campaign was very pleasing to him. but said that he expected Thursday. the last day of the campaign, to show up better than either Tuesday or Wednesday. The cap tans of the various teams will make q special effort today to increase their showing and it is believed there will he large addition to the membership of the board
 There are a good many things the merchants can accomplish in behalf of up- building the mercantile interests of the city If they are banded together" said President Ewing yesterday afternoon. An individual working alone can accom- plish very little.
 Tn order to accomplish the things we should it is necessary for every mer- chant and manufacturer interested in local business and especially every re- tail merchant to be a member of the Board of Trade division of the Chamber of Commerce. The board is independent in it's operations, has separate teams and attends to it's own business without con flict with the members of the Chamber of Commerce.
 This campaign, which closes tomorrow, gives every reputable merchant and man facturer in the city an opportunity to join the Chamber of Commerce and tho Board of Trade both for one initiation fee and ne also gets the benefit of the service and advice of the protection com mittee of the Birmingham Ad club. which is affiliated with these organizations, without extra charge"
 What the Board of Trade has done is told briefly In u little leaflet Issued to prospective members few days ago. and in this is included prospectus of the plans for the present year. Following are the things accomplished by the board:
 q. Secured inclusion of wives names in city directory. This has been of inestim- able value to Birmingham merchants and business men.
 ''2. Co-operated in avertng advance in fire insurance rates, saving substantial amounts to merchants.
 a. Original organization in the cam paign which resulted in 5-cent fares and adequate transfer system for Greater Bir- mingham.
 A. Active in the effort for lower ex-> press rates from eastern points to Bir- mingham. and sent attorney to Washing tor tn haP ipt ta ia commission. Rates have been reduced more than 90 per cent.
 '5. Was Instrumental In obtaining rail road schedules and stop-over privileges which have brought additional trade to the city.
 '6. Suggested amendments and secured plan for redistricting and remaining streets so as to include the minimum of changes and avoid unnecessary expense and annoyance to merchants In making deliveries. The plan includes the placing of permanent street signs at intersec- tions
 IT. Procured the passage of ordi- nance preventing fake auction sales in the city.
 '8. Prevented the adoption of a plan for placing advertising on trash cans in the downtown streets
 Plans for the present year include among other things
 
 ance which will receive complaints from merchants and endeavor to maintain mini- mum rates and hazards. and aid in se- curing equitable adjustments.
 "2. Will have legislative committee to handle the questions of taxation, H. censes and other similar matters.
 8. Will maintain a freight and trans portatlon committee for the purpose of procuring reductions. equalizations and more favorable schedules wherever possi- ble.
 A. Is conducting investigations with q view to eradicating the itinerant merchant who sells goods and pays no tax.
 "5 Plans to organize a Trade in Bir- mingham Club and arouse citizens to the importance and value of trading In Bir- mingham. and to provide medium Of contact between the merchant and the buying public.
 '6 Is cooperating with the board of commissioners through the medium of a strong and active city beautiful commit- tee"
 Real Estate Transfers