The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16

commission, and better depot equipment Ia generally being secured throughout the state
 Accidents
 We have also compiled table o1 accl- dents which is published herewith. w me 1t is deplorable that many accidents nave occurred, still there has not been during tha vear any great or unusually shock~ ing disaster More or less accidents un- der any system of railroad operation seem to be unavoidable.
 The railroads, however, are quick to seize upon any suggestion or device TOT the prevention of accidents, and Tor mn imizing the calamitous results when they do occur In the development of the science of railroading 1t Is to be hoped that there will be a constant diminution both in number of accidents and the ap- palllng results herefrom.
 Earnings and History. There will also be found in this report a table of gross earnings, operating ex- penses, and net earnings; as well as a brief history of each railroad company operating in Alabama showing its organ- ization, bonded indebtedness, etc, from which much useful and interesting infor- | nation may be obtained
 Freight Rates.
 | During the past two years, earnest de- mands have been made upon the commls- sion for reductions In the local freight rates in Alabama. The commission mas been in thorough accord and sympathy with this desire and has used all the means and authority vested In 1t, within | ,he bounds of the la W, to bring about the | result We have, however, been m1ndfui | of the fact that we are quasi Judiclal or hcers, and are operating under law, and are bound under oath to respect the stat ute creating the commission, and the | decisions of the highest court in the iahd. | The rule fixed by the statute of Alabama | under which the commission operates. | and from which 1t derives all of it's pow CTS. provides that in revising and fixing | rates provision must be made so as to | allow a fair and just return on the value | of the railroad, it's appurtenanees and equipment" In this the statute but rec ognizes the well established guarantee of | the federal constitution. This rule has been adhered to by the commission in l tbe determination of all matters submlt- | ted to it. Material reductions have been made by the commission in the rates upon the necessities of life; and favorable rates have been made looking to%he establish ment and encouragement of new indus tries; but many petitions for reductions have been denied because of the rule above referred to, and the construction l | of a similar statute.
 Interstate Rates.
 A careful study of the question involved in rate-makng has convinced us that 1T | order to build up our own state as . | whole, it is of vital importance that ia 1 vorable interstate rates into Alabama | should prevail. Of the total amount o approximately twenty-five millions of dol lars of business done in Alabama, onl! about one-third was strictly interstate O domestic business. It is error to assum
 when considering the rates which appl, in Alabama, that they are the local rate between points within the state. Ol every article and commodity of com merce, not actually grown or manufac | tured in this state, the actual rate wit | which the shipper, consignee. or con | surner, is concerned, is the sum of tn local and interstate rates.
 | It is well established that the stat
 railway commissions have no Jurisdiction | over interstate rates, nor can they con trol or effect them We found to ou
 great satisfaction that the distributing
 centers in Alabama have for many year. | enjoyed a superior advantage as to Inter
 state rates, and that under the Influence | of these favorable interstate rates manu
 featuring enterprises have located In Ala | bama, and that our state as a Whole mas
 grown, and prospered to an unusual an.
 remarkable degree, unprecedented Tn its
 history. We also found that the sun
 of the local added to the interstate rate
 from Ohio and Missississippi river cross
 ings and western points gave the smaller
 towns and cities in Alabama an average
 rate equal to that of our sister states
 while the advantage to our distriputlnl
 centers over that of the distributing
 centers in adjoining states was great
 We found also that the earnings Of th'