The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-23
Discusses the Railroad COm-
 mission Question
WHAT THE ROADS HAVE DONE
The Speaker Said We Did Not Have to Go to Georgia to Find Out How to Do ThIngs-He
 Makes Comparisons.

Capt J. M. Falkner addressed a good opposition to an elective railroad com mission. He was introduced by Alder man Harry Jones. The meeting was held under the auspices of the Railroad Mems Political club, Chairman Radford presid- ing
 Captain Falkner began his address by paying a high tribute to the worth, in- tegrity and patriotism of the railroad men, stating that they held the most re- sponsibie positions and fulfilled their ob- legations as well as or better than any other class of citizens.
 Among other things Captain Falkner said: If there Is city in the world that Is the special pet of the railroads, 1t Is Birmingham. They have made your city what 1t Is. I was here thlrty-two years ago, but I didn't see any Birmingham. I saw a station down here in a box car It has been with the greatest pride imaginable that I have seen industries spring up here and grow even faster than the famous Jonah's gourd grew. I am glad to see all these men employed here getting remunerative wages. am told that in Birmingham laborers get higher wages than anywhere lese. l am glad of this. l am glad l have con- tributed to a part of this.
 q have searched my memory over for some reason to modest the railroads of this state. l am not able to find it. be- lieve that the gentlemen on Morris avenue are without excuse for their position In this matter If there is a place on earth where they should be in line with the railroads, 1t Is on Morris avenue"
 Captain Falkner then called attention to the different movements of this kind, stating that each and all of them had failed to accomplish the purposes for which they were started He said that many important questions were to come before the next legislature. Every pro- vision of the new constitution would have to be put in action; large bonded debt of the state would soon mature and some provision would have to be made to meet 1t; he doubted if the negro ques- ton was completely disposed of. and a number of other important questions were to be considered, and he did not approve of the gentlemen who were behind the agitation of an elective railroad commits sion injecting this issue soley into the campaign and ignoring other grave ques- tions.
 Colonel Falkner said that the proudest moment of his life was when he read that Louisville and Nashville stock had gone up to 150. He considered this a great thing for Birmingham, as Birmingham had helped make this stock of such a value.
 We don't have to go to Georgia to find out how to do things" he said. ''Do you know of any Georgia railroad whose stock is worth 15O? When die with the nightmare, 1t will be when hear some fellow always telling how they do things In Georgia. The tonnage of the Birming- nam district alone Is greater than that Of the whole state of Georgia It has been said throughout the state that the railroad commission was paid by the railroads. Such has not been the case, is not the case, and never will be the case. Such a condition exists only in the imagination of ths men who make the statements. The railroad commission of Georgia has never been elected by the people. It has always been appointed by the governor
 Colonel Falkner then compared the rates of Georgia and Alabama, showing that in nearly all cases, the rate from various markets to Birmingham were cheaper than to Atlanta. He also show ed that local rates were in the same proportion. He stated that a railroad commission could have no power to regu- late freight rates shipped from one state into another-that this was a matter that could only be regulated by congressional action.
 In concluding, Colonel Falkner predict ed that in three years Birmingham's growth would be wonderful if no im- pediment was thrown in the way. He stated that he knew of gigantic enter prises that were contemplated and would shortly be established. and asked that the railroads be not handicapped by any agitation or legislation to prevent them from aiding in the develop ment and prosperity of Birmingham and the Birmingham district.