The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-27
Opponents of Present Law Start
 Fight in Earnest
SIMILAR 10 THE TEXAS LAW
Only Difference Is the Railroad Com missioners In Alabama Are Made Elective, While They Are
 Appointive In Texas.

Montgomery, January 2s-tSpeclal.)- The following Is a brief of the bill introduced in the house today to make the office of railroad commissioner elective instead of appointlve:
 Section one provides that the commits sion to be known as the Railroad Com mission of Alabama. consis ing of rres- ldent and two associates. who shall be ccnpctent persons and qualified electors of this state. Is established. That their terms of office shall be four years that at the election to be held in this state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. 1904. and every four years thereafter, a president and two associates. constituting said commission. shall ee elected by the qualified electors ot this state.
 If any vacancy should occur In either ni said offices, caused by death resignation or otherwise, the same shall be filled by appointment by the governor, the ap- pointee holding for the balance of the un- expired term.
 No person shall be eligible to fill either of said offices who Is directly or indirect ly pecuniarily interested in any railroad or other transportation company or cor poration in this state or out of 1t, or who holds any stock, bond mortgage or other security or who Is interested in the eari- ings of any such railroad or transporta- ton company or corporation
 Can Be lmpeached.
 Section 4 provides that such commis- | sioners may be impeached and removed from office by the Supreme court for the same causes, and in the same manner as other state officers; and any commission- CT who shall accept any gift. gratuity. emolument or employment from any per- son or corporation owning operating a railroad in this state during his con- tinuance in office. shall forfeit his office, and may be impeached and removed from office therefor, as for any other causes of impeachment.
 The president of such commission shall receive salary of $35O0 per annum, and the associate commissioners shall each receive salary of 5000 per annum: and they may employ q clerk at a salary rot exceeding $500 per annum. such salal ies to be paid as the salaries of state officers are paid.
 Section eight provides that such com mission shall have general supervision over all the railroads in this state; shall, from time to time, as 1t may deem neces- sary, examine the same and keep in- formed as to their condition and the man ner in which they are operated with reference to the security and accommoda- ticn of the public, and their compliance with their charters and the laws of this state; and shall, in writing, recommend to the persons or corporations operating such railroads. or any of them, from time to time, the adoption of such measures lnt tone ha fagn nFar rV7at deem conducive to the public safety and interest
 Railroads Must Furnish Information.
 I he managers of railroads operating in this state shall furnish such commission with all information required by 1t reia- tive to he mana cement of their respective lines. and with copies of all leases, con- tracts and agreements made by them with express, sleeping car or other com panies, to which they are parties, or af- fecting such lines.
 Section thirteen provides that such commission may summon and examine under oath such witnesses as it may think proper in relation to the affairs of any railroad In thls state, or or any per- son or corporation operating such raii- road; and any witness summoned before such commission may be sworn by any | one of said commissioners. Witnesses | summoned to appear before the commits sion shall be entitled to the same per | diem and mileage
 Freight and Passenger Tariff.
 Section sixteen provides that the power | and authority Is hereby vested In the railroad commission of Alabama, and it | is hereby made it's duty to adopt all necessary rates, charges and regulations | to govern and regulate railroad freight and passenger tariffs, the power to cor rect abuse and prevent unjust discrimi- nation and extortion in the rates of freight and passenger tariffs on the diff ferent railroads in this state. | The said commission shall have the power, and 1t shall be it's duty to fairly and justly classify and subdivide all freight and property of whatsoever char acter that may be transported over the railroads of this state into such general and special classes of subdivisions as may be found necessary and expedient 1 The commission shall have the power and 1t shall be it's duty, to fix to each class or subdivision of freight a reason