The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-14
MR.SMITHNTERVIEWED
PRESIDENT OF RAILROAD COM
 MISSION TALKS.
Explains an Apparent Controversy Between the Commission and the Shippers and Buyers Associa-
 tion-Capitol News.

Tn an interview yesterday WitH O representative of The Advertiser. Hon. J. V. Smith. President of the Alabama Railroad Commission, fully explained the apparent controversy between the Commission and the Shippers and Buy CTS Mutual Aid Association.
 q have carefully refralned from giv- ing out an interview or expression up- on this question, in order that l might try it upon it's merits when the facts, pro and con, were fully laid be- fore the Commission" said Mr. Smith, Tt is difficult for one to keep in Judicial frame of mind when at least one of the parties 10 the question at issue is not only disrespectful in plead ing, but seems to be so purposely.
 Briefly stated, the facts are as foi- lows: The shippers and Buyers Mu- tual Aid Association first complained to Governor Jelks that 1t could not get (. hearing from the Railroad Comm S. sion. I replied by saying that during my administration no such communi- cation had ever reached us. The As- sociation then mailed It's complaint, setting out the alleged grievance to the effect that the. Alabama Car Ser VlC0 ASSOcIdllCI Wd5 COlicutihS o uc- murrage which was unjust and oper- ated unjusutly to their interests. On receipt of which the case was set for hearing on July 10, and all parties in- teresrel were notified to be present.
 'I next saw in The Age-Herald q notice tiat the Shippers and Buyers Mutual Aid Association had received 6 letter from the Railroad Commission and that a meeting would be held in Birmingham and that the main ques ton to be discussed would be the efec- ton of the Railroad Commissioners by the people, and the increase of their powers. About the same time re- ceived a letter from the Association saying that they would call meeting and let me know when and where the Railroad Commission should have theif meeting, etc. I at once replied that we had already fixed the time and place for a meeting. to hear this com plaint, and that all parties had been notified and urged the Association to be on hand with the proof in support of its claim. To this they replied by propounding several questions In which they desired to know, among other things, what jurisdiction we iad. and what reason TOT supposing the rail roads would obey our orders. and whether we were going to help them or not. To this I replied that 1t was entirely improper for one trying a case | in a quasi-judicial capacity, to give ar opinion in advance, and that all such questions would be settled on a fina hearing and again urged them to be l present to support their contention. "On the day of trial the railroad peo- pie were here and ready to go into the merits of the question. The Shippers | and Buyers Mutual Aid Association did not appear. but instead, wrote { letter emphatically denying that they had ever filed a complaint before tht Commission. and stating that the, could not conceive how the Railroad Commission ever imagined that suci complaint had been filed, but wount up by saying that we would probabl! hear from them through the Governor
 "There were many names signed t, the complaint of good men, and as al evidence that they knew nothing of thu offensive letters sent to the Railroa; Commission. a number of them hay, indicated by letter their regret and re pudiation of the manner in which thi matter has been brought before tn, Commission.
 "Out of deference to what we con ceive t1 be just to the interest of thos complaining. the complaint was no dismissed and this hearing continued until khe first Monday in August ant the Slippers and Buyers Mutual Ait Associati tion have been notified of thi action. It is hoped that the conserva 4'tive and air minded men on the peti ton will be here at that time in orde that the question may be fairly settled on it's merits.
 The entire correspondence bearing on this subject Is on file in the 'offic of the Railroad Commission and i open to be read by any one desiring to do so and to any individual or new $ paper who desires to publish the same.
 Appointments were announced a the Executive Department yesterda. as follows:
 Notaries Public-G. Fl. Wood. Court wright. Sumter County: R. NJ. Byars Sewickley. Lawrence County.
 Constable-T. J. Spear. beat 3, Gov inEton County.
 Justice of the Peace-W. o. Searcy beat 3. CovinGton County.
 Governor Jelks will remain in Mont gomery today and will go to Birmlng ham tomorrow with members of hi staff to review the soldiers of the 3r Infantry encamped there.
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 The United States buys goatskins. sal and sperm oil from Cape Verde Islands.