The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-08-24
terests would be treated fairly.

terests would be treated fairly.
 As some states have elective commis- sions, others have aprointive ones. Why not, if nothing but an elective commits sion will do Birmirg gham, try and get a joint one In this matter:
 1. One commissioner appointed by the governor like as in Georgia.
 ?. One appointed by the combined rail- way interests. he 70 be one of the very best tariff men that can be gotten.
 One commissioner to be elected by the people, starting first congressional district; next time elected by second dis trict, and so on until one has been elect ed from each of the nine congressional districts of our state.
 In this manner the whole of the state would not be stirred up at once. while one Is disturbed, eight other districts are cooling off and each in turn will have It's representative on the board.
 The state would thus have two to one on the board.
 The railways would not fear such a board they would feel that their in- terests would be justly handled. If individuals get located in a bad sec tion, why they can pull up stakes and move on short notice. How different with a railroad, when once located 1t Is there forever. For this reason they should be fairly treated.
 While rails and everything that goes into the cost of running trains have all most doubled in price. still the railroads have not advanced their rates one iota for interstate or state business.
 The dormant commission Gas you term it) has been a blessing to our upbuld- ing our roads as no other state can show
 as much new mileage per area and 1 square miles as can Alabama. ], The value of feed stuffs handled by l rat hou 1aT xuff increased risk of damage, not a cent has been added to rates to cover this.
 The railroad employe Is quick to see l that with the increased cost of food that l they are not prepared to stand reduce l tion of wages brought about by decreas- ed earnings of the railroads of the state. 1 CajNtal Is as 'skittish" as the pro verbal mule" and when 1t Is attacked, they soon withdraw to place of safety and the laborer Is the most harmed.
 You are striking heavy blow indirect | ly at your wage-earners of the Birming- ham district.
 large percentage of the agricultural districts of Alabama Is ruined by the drouth and we need the low rates from 1 The more prosperous vest Atlanta 8 l great milling interests were bankrupted by just such a proposition as these self 1 interested men "Comer and White" as- sociation Is trying to load you Into.
 After reading MT. Whites long har- rangue fin yesterdays Birmingham News Is 1t a wonder that no White" leader developed at the consts utional conven- tion in Montgomery. where they looked so long for one.
 This heavy canister which MT. White Is discharging at the wind reminds me of one of Private John Aliens retorts to his opponent at Columbus, Miss. when he accused John Allen of riding on pass.
 .F fry fnr railroad.
 John Aliens reply was short, he said railroads never employed fools" nor gave them passes and that his opponent would never enjoy either of these privileges
 Messrs. Conner and White must be in dire distress when they have to appeal to Senator John T. Morgan. a man whom l have a high regard for. but who has all ways fought railroads for canal.
 l will state right here that if our sen ators had to be elected by the people (with as many after their shoes) Alabama would have long since been robbed of the valued services of our venerable senator, John T. Morgan. He need not want 1t so near to the elective wishes of the peo- pie. Build your Van1oose canal to Bir- mingham and upbuild yous section. l Now some people think in my first ar 1 ticle I had 1t in for Birmingham. but
  l Birmingham and the whole mineral dis | trict prosper.
 Some of the very best friends I have are located in Birmingham and doubt if had located there years ago 1 would have been better off today In the days of diversity and low prices of iron. how quick the railroads came to yuor rescue. In times of prosperity people are prone to forget the helping hand dur ing diversity.
 I would be a very poor Alabaman to wish to see either the mineral or agricult- ural districts fail for we are sitting on the edge of both.
 All I wished to do was to call a halt and catch hold of the southwestern leg and help keep from jumping down the Hons throat.
 What good can be expected to come from the leadership of those always look ing for trouble with the transportation companies.
 hope you now understand me, as I bear no ill-feeling towards Birmingham, only want you to stop and think before l you leap. Yours very truly, LUTHER H. MAXWELL. Of Maxwell Bros. I