The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-10
His Reasons for Opposing Change
in Selecting Commissioners
He TRUSTS IN THE PEOPLE
Refutes a Charge and Thinks Election
BY Popular Vote Would Not Re-
move the Commissioners From
Political Influence.

Colonel ]. NJ. Falkner, who was in Bir-
mngham yesterday gave out an inter-
view relative to the present agitation
for the selection of railroad commission
ers by the popular vote instead of through
nomination by the Governor and con-
frmation by the Senate, Colonel Falkner
being opposed to the suggested change.
In part Colonel Fallxner said;
THE Louisville and Nashville railroad
will fight this movement with all the
weapons that are recognized as fair in
political contention. We come out into
the open field. We know that the issue
is with the people of Alabama and we are
not afraid of their decision. From years
of experience and observation I say that
the people of Alabama will always do
the right when they are fully informed.
THE claim is made that the election of
the commission by popular vote will re-
move the commission from the sphere of
political influence. The contrary is the
truth. The commission would be the hope
of every demagogue who can shout. At
present the commission is nominated by
the Governor and confirmed by the SEN
ate. Is 1t not fair to say then, that the
people, through their representatives. Sc
lect the commission2
Another charge is that the commission
has no powers. l say deliberately that II
has power enough to bankrupt every
railroad in Alabama in six months. The
people do not understand that nine-tenths
a 20
mission relate to interstate commerce.
and OF course no state commission can
have power to regulate such cases. Com
plants appear before the commission and
when ii is explained to them that the
commission has no authority to regulate
Interstate commerce they jump at the
idea that the commission can do nothing
II am free to say that the leaders in
this movement for popular election of the
commission are sore heads They do
not represent the people. These leaders
may not be actuated by hatred toward
the railroads, but they are moved by
selfishness. Notwithstanding the fast
that the prices of commodities are higher
perhaps than ever before in the history
Of the country, freight rates are lower
Suppose these rates are reduced further;
do you believe that the consumer will get
the benefit? 1 think it would go into
some other pockets.
THE Louisville and Nashville Railroad
has clearly, in cash money and other
wiee, proved its friendship for Birming-
ham. In time of business depression we
fostered Birmingham's industries, not
only by making rate which would per-
NIT the movement of her products on the
most economical basis, but in more than
one instance we gave of our money to
keep Birmingham industries going. In
one Instance the railroad gave a check
for 100000 to a certain industry; and
other instances might be cited. When the
city schools were about to be closed for
lack of funds we paid the full amount
of taxes levied by a law which we knew
to be unconstitutional, and which was
subsequently declared so by the Supreme
Court. We did 1t cheerfuliy, SO that the
education of the children might not be
che cked.
Our train crews have a longer lay
over In Birmingham than at any other
point In the state. 1t is said that Birming-
ham Is a highcr-priced town in which to
live. We might find Justification for re-
moving these crews to souo other point;
but we have not done IT,
THE Birmingham Board Of Trade. I
understand favors the passage of the
Cullom bill; we are opposing IT, One pro-
vision of that bill is that freight rates
are upon pounds and miles. If the bill
Is enacted 1t will follow that Boyles,
just to the north Of the city, will have
a cheaper rate than Birmingham on
freight from the north; and Oxmoor will
have the same advantage on freight from
the SOUTH