The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-28
CHAMBER PLANS ID GET RATE EXPERT ID HANDLE PROBLEMS Bush Says Traffic Is Now Necessary Part of Civic
 Organization GRAIN DEALERS ARE URGENT FOR ACTION Directors Will Ask Advice of Busi- ness Council, However, Before
 Taking Any Formal
 Action

Action
 The directors of the Chamber of Com merce yesterday afternoon went on rec ord as favoring the efforts of the Bir- mingham grain dealers to secure a re- adjustment of the grain rates so as to place this city on a basis of equality with competitors in other places.
 The matter of establishing traffic bureau in connection with the chamber in charge of an expert freight rate man was considered with much favor by the directors, but it was referred to the business council before any final action. It was stated that the business coun- cil represented every line of business and profession in the city, and before the question was settled the directors desired to receive the opinion of tho council
 The meeting of the directors yester- day was attended by IS of the 21 mem bers of the board and by the president of the Board of Trade. J. H. Finder, and the chairman of the business coun- cil, J. D. Moore. It is planned under the new constitution and bylaws of the chamber to make these two officials exofficio member of the board of directors.
 BUSH OUTLINES PLANS
 President Bush outlined to the direc- tors briefly the work which was under plans now under consideration. He stated that for sometime the matter of establishing a traffic bureau and em- ploying a competent freight rate eX- pert to direct the work had been under consideration. Some weeks ago, he said the transportation division of the busi-
 ness council, which is composed of the railroad men in the chamber, decided to recommend that such a bureau be established and that rate expert be employed.
 With Birmingham, as with every other city," said President Bush, .'th 6 question of freight rates is always 8 live issue. This is a technical subject. one which the average layman is not competent and has not had the neces- sary training and experience to grap- pie with It is a position that will re- quire the entire time of competent man, and I am of the opinion that the time has arrived for the chamber to es- tablish such 8 bureau and employ an experienced rate man to take charge of the work
 1 It was explained that while the rail- road men in the chamber had been the | first to suggest such a bureau, they would not make any recommendations l as to the man to be employed. Experi- ence in other cities has shown that such 1 a bureau is best for the interest of l the shippers and the railroads, and fnr dC fo hrir, ohn bn ,yc,fv <.S freight troubles without the usual fric- tion. While the sense of the meeting was strongly in favor of the proposed step, it was decided to refer the matter to the business council before taking any action. It was stated that the directors expect to rely largely upon the aid and advice of the council in all future action, as provided for under the new constitution and bylaws. OTHER ACTION TAKEN The directors voted to appropriate $50 out of the treasury to assist in entertain ing the meeting of the Alabama Travel expected that there will be from 300 to 400 delegates in attendance, and the member ship of the organization, numbering TOO, is composed of leading travelling men of the state.
 The directors voted to indorse the Ala bama Land Book, which is being com piled under the direction of the depart ment of agriculture. They expressed their approval of the purpose of the book and their belief that it would result in much good to the state.
 | A resolution which has been adopted by l the United States Chamber of Commerce, regarding the eight-hour day for rail- road men, was read and considered by 1 the directors. After some discussion, l the following resolution was adopted re- l lating to this subject:
 "The newspapers of the country are 1 daily publishing items in respect to the ! impending controversy between the rail- road lines and their trainmen employees l over the question of an eight-hour day and it has been reported in the press that by vot of the trainmen the au- | thority has been delegated their officers
 to negotiate for a reduction OF worxng hours Press items and printed matter disseminated by the Railroads General Managers association claim that the de- mands are made in the interest of only ! cne-fifth of the railroad employees who are now receiving the highest pay of | men in railroad service. The further statement is made that the increase de- manded amounts to an advance that can not be met except by general increase in rates throughout the country. There l fore,
 Be it resolved, That the Chamber of 1 Commerce of Birmingham asks that this question be given the most careful con- sideration by the employees and railroad
 managers, to the end that the question
 may be settled without disturbance to the | commerce of the country and disruption of the existing friendly relations between the railroads and their employees, and 1 we feel further that if either. or botf positions are within right or reason, 2 submission of the whole controversy tt an impartial investigation wherein the public would have some voice certainly should not meet with any opposition by | either side.'
 The report of the railroad and trans portation committee, appointed sometime | ago by President Bush to investigat l certain complaints about freight rate.