The age-herald., 1901-01-28
Second Session of General AS- sembIy Begins Tomorrow
SEVERAL IMPORTANT BILLS
Publishers Are Lining Up for Fight Against the Proposed Uniform Text Book Law-lt Would Cut Down
 Enormous Profits,

Age Herald Bureau, Clancey's Hotel, Montgomery, January 27.-(Special)-The Legislators are gathering here for the re- converting of the General Assembly Tues day, and with them comes an unusual ar ray of lobbyists, who come to get in their work early
 There are several very important general bills to be considered by the General As sembly, that are to cause hot fights. Among the measures most strongly opposed in the lobby are the Bulger uniform text book bill, the Pettus antitrust bill and the print Ing bill prepared by the Alabama Press As sociation. The several publishers are very active in their opposition to the proposed text book law, recognizing that its adop tion means that text books are to be sold at much less per cent in this State than at present, thus cutting down enormous prof its to the trusts During the first half of the session there were number of lobby ists here against this measure while only one book concern asked for the passage of a measure providing for State adoption. This concern has now withdrawn its sup port of the measure, and it is left to the patriotism of the members to pass the bill
 The Antitrust Bill.
 The opposition to the Pettus antitrust measure have not shown their hand as yet, but some strong men are known to have been employed to work against the meas ure.
 The foreign printers are boldest of all in their efforts to retain a hold upon the county printing in Alabama There are three big foreign concerns at present mo- nOOOlizino h,,e; i, it is estimated that their trade is worth considerably more than $10O000 annually, with an average profit of more than 50 per cent.
 Combination Formed.
 The three foreign concerns in this State have apparently combined in their efforts to defeat the Doster bill providing that all county printing shall be done within the State, all things equal and they have their agents here with open head quarters, at one of the leading hotels. A force of stenographers have been employed and letters by the hundreds are being sent to members of the General Assembly and to county officials who are under control of the foreign houses, asking for endorse ments against the measure It has been even boasted by the representatives of these concerns that they could secure the aid of more than one-half of the county officials in Alaama in their fight against the Doster bill
 This fight for the passage of the print ing bill is an old one, and to secure it's defeat the foreign concerns have expended immense amounts of money at each ses- sion of the General Assembly for score of years past. They are up to their old tricks again this year, and requirse but little trouble to retain their grasp.
 This measure Is of much importance to the printers and publishers in Alabama, and for the purpose of advancing its inter- ests, a joint session of the legislative and executive committees of the Alabama Press Association will be held here Monday at D m.
 The Doster bill is now in the hands of the committee on printing, and will come up for hearing by that committee Wednes- day.