The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-03
OPPOSE CHANGING
 PRESENT SYSTEM
Railroad Men Want Railroad
 Commissioners Appointed
OPPOSED TO CHILD LABOR
Resolutions Adopted at a Meeting Held Last Night State That the Men Are Opposed to Any
 Change.

The Railroad Men's Political club held it's first meeting this year In Bricklayers' hall last night and adopted resolutions against the efforts of certain merchants to have a change made in the present system of electing and paying the rail road commission.
 The executive committee was ordered to open headquarters at once and to pre- pare to take an active hand in the com ing campaign. A resolution was adopted looking to getting certain laws passed through the legislature to govern child labor. ". D. Short of the Louisville and Nashville was elected vice-p president, and W. A. Hill was put on the executive committee.
 Following are the resolutions adopted:
 Resolutions Adopted.
 Whereas, we see from the newspapers and from circulars that are being sent over the state, that an attempt is being made to have the legislature enact a law for the election of the railroad com missioners of Alabama;
 And. whereas, in our judgment, the election of the railroad commissioners would be of no benefit whatever to the great body of consumers In the state of Alabama, but if any persons should be benefited it would be the agitators them selves. who would pocket any difference in freight, If there were any difference, without allowing any benefit ever to reach the consumer;
 And whereas. the development and com mercial interests of this district have heretofore always been fostered, encour- aged and assisted by the railroads and are now enjoying unparalleled prosperity;
 And whereas, unnecessary and mater ial interference with the great railroad property of this state. which pays about 70 per cent of the taxes of the state, would result not orly in injury to the railroads themselves. but would serious ly effect those of us who are employed by the railroads, and our living and the living for our families by our work in such employment, by ultimately forcing a reduction of ou wages, which would necessarily have to be made to meet the demands of anti-Eailroad agitators;
 Therefore, be 1t resolved:
 l. That it is the duty of all railroad employees, in this county, in ord ar to pro- tect their own interests, to vote against the election of ailro ad commissioners, ut the primary election on the 25th of Au- gust.
 ?. That we do now and hereby request all other ldboring men and other good citizens in this distfst to. help us in this fight, srd to vote with us to assist us in maintaining our present wage scale.
 Protect Child Labor.
 Whereas in the state of Alabama no law has ever been enacted for the proper protection of children who are laboring in the factories and other industries with in the state; and
 Whereas, In our opinion, the legisla- trre Of the state should pass such laws as will protect the poor children of the state and preserve their lives ana health; and
 Whereas, after the next session of the legislature, 1t will not meet again for four years; therefore, be 1t
 Resolved, That we favor the passage, by the next legislature, of such law or laws as will give complete, full and ample pro- lection in the state and will give com plete full and ample protection to all children working in the factories or other industries in the state, and to limit the age at which they may be employed for such work, and to see that such of them as do work in such places are properly cared for by rules and regulations look ing to their health and comfort.