The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-16
Text of the Report.

Text of the Report.
 The full text of the report follows
 Office of the Railroad Commission of of the state of Alabama, Montgomery, Ala. October 10, 1904.
 Lieutenant and Acting Governor R. M
 Cunningham. Montgomery. Ala:
 Sir-Section 22 of the act of the legisla- ture, 1902-3, to amend chapter 96 of the code of Alabama, requires that on or be- fore the 10th day of October of each year, the railroad commissioners, through their president, shall make to the governor a report of their acts and doings for the year ending June s0 next preceding.
 In pursuance of this requirement we beg leave to submit the following report
 We have examined and approved the | southern classification and exception l sheets thereto governing the local ship ment of freight in Alabama This classi- l Ecation also applies to interstate rates. and its adoption serves to simply, har- monize and equalize the rates of freight, and is preferable to a purely local classi- l fication. This classification and the ex- caption sheets are published and made part of this report.
 We have also examined and approved the mileage tariff tables of the several railroads in Alabama, and included then as a part of this report. Any shipper or 1 consignee, by examining this classification and these mileage tables, canascertain whether any railroad has made any charge for service rendered in excess of 1 the maximum rate fixed by the railroad commission.
 The rates shown in the classification and mileage tables are the maximum l fG m charcoal I numerous instances special rates apply, growing out of local conditions, which gre considerably less than the maximum rate prescribed.
 Construction of Depots.
 Rules governing the construction and maintenance of depots heretofore promul- gated have been readopted and incorpor- ated herein. The observance of these rules will greatly eonduee to the comfort and safety of the travelling public; and the commission solcits the cooperation of the public and of the various railroad companies operating in Alabama in due l enforcement of these rules.
 Rules of Practice.
 The rules of practice regulating the hearing and determination of cases sub- mtted to the railroad commission are also published, together with short form 1 these forms will greatly facilitate the 1 progress of business before the commits sion.
 Car Service Rules.
 Since our last annual report a plea to the Jurisdiction of this commission over the subject of car service rules, and de- murrage penalties hereunder, as pre- scribed by the Alabama Car Service as- sociation, has been interposed. and sus- tained by the commission in an opinion rendered by Associate Commissioner San ders. This opinion holds that the act creating the commission and clothing it with it's powers does not confer iurisdic- tion over this subject. The opinion is published in full herein, and sets forth the reasons compelling the commission to its conclusions reached in this case.
 Mobile Depot.
 Pursuant to the requiremets of the act of the legislature, any railroad company operating in the city of Mobile was au- thorized to build the station contemplated by the act The Southern Railway com pany, avaiing itself of this provision offered to construct the station, and the order was so made all other railroad companies operating in Mobile being re quired by the terms of the order to joir in the use and maintenance of said sta ton in accordance with the requirements of the act.
 The Southern railway Is now proceed ing with the erection of the station, ant we feel justified In stating that, wher completed, this will be one of the mos convenient. handsome and costly passen ger stations in the sslth and will be credit to the city ot Mobile, and to thu entire state. The commission will iron time to time. examine and keep itself In formed as to the progress of the work and the compliance with the act of thu legislature and the order of the commis sion in reference to this matter.
 Decatur Depot.
 After much effort, and the solving O many complications arising out of tn physical situation at Decatur. the com mission has succeeded in effecting al | agreement between the Southern railwa! and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad companies to erect and maintain q uniol station for the city of Decatur, suitable to the demands and necessities of tha place.
 The plans for this station call for com modious and handsome structure. Worl has not yet begun upon this station. bu is awaiting the determination of condem nation proceedings concerning certail properties necessary for the carrying ou of the plans. These proceedings are nov pending, and we trust will terminate ia vorably at an early date.
 Guntersville Depot.
 Since our last report the power of tn commission under section 13 of the ac of 1902-3 to amend chapter 96 of the cod has been brought into question, and a de cree has been rendered by Chancello William H. Simpson to the effect tha the commission has only advisory power and that it's rulings cannot be enforce by an order of the court as provided b. section 24, and the following sections O said act in reference to matters arisin under section 13. The attorney genera upon the suggestion of the commission has appealed this case to the suprem court of Alabama, and the question in volved in the Guntersville depot order now before that body for determination. | We have, during the past year, mad numerous orders for the erection or sma , depots suitable to the needs of the place concerned, and have also required addi 1 tions to be made to many old depots ] Considerable work of this character 1 ], done each year under the orders of tn