Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-27
!. .HABS aDN NzA M BSaRSSzass R0vvsESR.
 Absolutely Fa.k.e

tWeens two points, in some caSeS are greater in one direction than in the other The entire system of freight rates throughout the south is based not on the cost or the service, but on how much can be charged fer the service. Instead of being made with an object of building up industries along their line, they are put to the highest notch at which the in- dustrieS now there can pay and live. This may result in preventing depreciation of the market price ot the stock and bonds of the railroads, but it certainly does not lead to such an increase in the commercial interests of the south as would be certain under a more liberal treatment.
 As is we'll known, all of the great rail roads comprised in the Southern States Freight association have in their pay as counsel, or in some other official capacity, some of the best lawyers in the country who are retained there, not to help oper- ate the road but to defend it against all apsaef<s-mad de upon it. With such an ar ray of talent opposed, what chance has ansjndividual or single organization to have any wrong lighted by like methods? The individual or sthe association that attempts to correct an evil is immediately under heavy expenses for lawyers and eoQpsel,s while the railroads paying their lawyers-a salary, have simyly to turn the matter over to their legal department for attention, and though the individual and association may be successful in his first attacks, the matter will be kept in the courts by these astute lawyers by adjournments and appeals for years, until the individual or association, after spend ing all the money they can afford, aban- dons the fight.
 The object of the Southern Transporta- tion 'dssaciation is to combine the inter- ests of the individual and the various as- sociations through the south in such manner that by small contributions on the part of the members of the association a fund may be accumulated which would enable the association to pay secretary, whose business should be to look after the interests of all members continually; to receive communications from all mem bers and to lay the same, in form to be acted upon, before the executive commit tee. It should also have an attorney, whose business it should be to look after all litigation, and it should retain as counsel the ableSt lawyers in the. south. When such an organization is accom- pished, the individual association and its members can report grievances of ev- cry description to headquarters and pro- ceed with. it's own business, sure that the matter reported will be, if considered by the executive committee to be of suffi- cient importance, taken up and attended to consistently until the right has pre- yailed.s .-~
 You ask as to cost? I shall send out shortly a circular to all associa tions at the south, notifying them that several amendments to the constitution will be considered at the meeting in September among others that of changing article T. which now provides for defraying the expenses of the association by an equita- ble assessment, so as to provide for the expenses by the payment of annual dues. This matter will be taken up and decided by the delegates at the meeting in At lanta on the 24th of September.
 1 should be in favor of putting these annual dues at the highest figure. that the associations feel they could stand. It is hardly possible but that the indi- viduar association would be benefited many ,fimes more than the amount of any suohpannual dues, and it is very impor- tant thatfthe treasury of such an organi- zatf,tii De. amply provided with funds for all "Gon ntingencies. Many and many a goodrealise has been lost through lack of moneysp carry it through.
 Trusting to hear that your club has acted favorably upon this matter, I am yours very cordially,
 N. H. EGLESTON, President.