The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-07-15
Recent Interview Of Capt. ].
v, FaIkneT, the Roads Al
tOfney, is Discussed
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED
TO WAGE The BATTLE
Speaker Declares That the Oppression
of the Business People of Ala
bama Is Worse Than
That of ireland.

Joint conference composed OF repre-
sentatives of the Board of Trade, Whole
sale Grocers' Association, Retail Grocers'
Association, Retail Coal Dealers Asso-
citation, Lumbermen's Association, Bro
kers' Association and business men gem
orally of Birmingham and the Birming-
ham district was held last night In the
hall of the Board of Trade and of the
Wholesale Grocers' Association in the
Tomlinson building II. II. Sinnige pre-
sided at the meeting and W D. Wood
acted as secretary.
The object of the meeting was for the
purpose Of furthering the agitation which
has recently been launched throughout
the state for .he election of the rail-
road commission by the people and look
Ing to the enactment of such laws as are
necessary to give the commission power
to regulate the freight rates In tho state.
After consideration and discussion of
published interview with Capt. ]. M.
Falkner, attorney of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad, a resolution was
adopted to the effect that the associa-
lions would fight the Louisville and Nash
Vile In the political arena
This interview of Captain Falkner's
was to the effect that the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad intended to fight the
movement with all the weapons that
are recognized in fair and honorable po-
litica1 warfare"
Many speeches were made by promi-
nent business men present. In which
evils Of the present system were dis
cussed. Comparisons were made of the
existing freight rates in Alabama and
Georgia, 1t being claimed that under the
Georgia system of electing the railroad
commission by the people, and empower
ing them to regulate the freight rates in
that state, that Georgia merchants and
shippers had the advantage over Ala
bama merchants and shippers of from 20
per cent to 50 per cent In lower freight
rates. Attention was also called to the
fact that an Alabama producer had ship
ped his product. into Georgia and back
again into Alabama. through the point
originally shipped from, at a much lower
rate than If he had shipped direct from
the place of production.
Worse Than Ireland.
You speak CT the oppression by an
alien power of the people of the Emerald
ISLE" said Capt. Frank s. White, "but
want to tell you merchants that the in
habitants of Ireland ere not now. and
never have been, oppressed like you are
today. There is an alien power in the per-
son OF J. Pierpont Morgan. who resides
In the city of New York, who dictates to
you what policy shall be pursued In this
matter In your state, and who, through
his representative, defles you to raise
you head In tho assertion Of your rights.
You merchants can never be prosperous
as long as you are ground to the very
earth in this manner, submitting tamely
to this outrageous oppression and refus-
ing to assert your manhood and demand
Justice. You are confronted by graver
than has assailed this state
since the stormy days of 81, and 1t only
depends upon you new to rise In the
strength CT righteousness and fight for
your rights"
Captain White stated that committees
had been and were being appointed in
every section OF the state to spread the
doctrine Of the popular election Of the
Alabama Railroad Commission. and that
favorable reports were coming from all
sections of the state. He urged upon
these present to demand an expression
from each candidate for the. Legislature
on this subject, and to work and vote for
only those who pledged themselves to tho
support OF the measure they were advo-
eating in this joint meeting.
After several speeches had been made
and the plan OF campaign discussed Ed
ward Wilkinson presented the following
which was unanimously
adopted by rising vote.
Resolutions Adopted.
Whereas the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad Company through its attorney.
]. NJ. Falkner has declared political war
fare upon It's patrons. the merchants,
and farmers of Alabama,
as is shown by an interview of the said
J. NJ Falkner. published in the Birming-
ham News of the ninth instant, and
whereas. this political warfare has
been declared by said railroad company
from the '.house top and us TO be
waged by it with all the weapons that
are recognized II fair in political war
fare" and
Whereas, the patrons of the said rail-
road company who have for years contri-
buted by their patronage to the wealth
and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of said railroad COM
pany and have borne with patience the
unjust exactions imposed upon them by
1t have been denounced by said Falkner
as "soreheads" and.
Whereas, said railroad company has
declared through its said attorney that
1t will marshal all its employees and hurl
them. as unwilling oppressors against its
said patrons in the coming election, and,
Whereas, the said railroad company,
a foreign corporation. exercising It's fran
chise in Alabama by the sufferance of
the people of the State as .leir servant
has assumed the attitude of master and
declared through its said attorney that
1t would, with all of Its corporate power
and wealth step into the firing line with
its political weapons levelled at the peo-
pie of Alabama. contemplating with indif-