The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-02-12
SMITH AND Conner
TO MEET ON STUMP
Candidates for Railroad Com
mission VIII Have Debate
TO OPEN FIRE IN DECATUR
Conference Held In office Of Capt.
Frank S. White, In Which w. I.
Sanders and Brooks Smith
Appeared for Smith.

After a lengthy conference in the office
of Capt. Frank S. White yesterday 1t
was definitely decided that B. B. Conner
and John V. Smith shall meet in joint
debate to discuss the issues brought out
by the formers literature and the latter's
record and the opening guns will be fired
at Decatur Friday night. February 49,
The conference which began in the
afternoon lasted until long after night.
tie bone of contention being the question
of division of time. 1t was finally decided
that Mr.. Smith will open the debate at
Decatur and Will speak one hour. Mr..
Conner win speak one hour and thirty
minutes and Mr.. Smith will have thirty
minutes in which TO close. This arrange
ment win be followed alternately at the
other places of meeting.
w. I. Sanders of Limestone, associate
railroad commissioner. and Brooks Smith
of Hale represented Mr.. Smith In thes
conference and Captain White represent
ed Mr. Conner.
The Debates.
Debates have been arranged as follows:
Cullman, Saturday night. February 90
Birmingham, Monday night, February
22.
Gadsden, Tuesday IL a. M, February %
Montgomery. Wedno-Say night, Feb
ruary "a.
Mobile. Friday night February 2e.
Greenville, saturda.. II a. m, Feb
ruary 81
John V. Smith was in the city yester-
day but took no part In the conference
personally Last night he expressed great
pleasure at the result of the conference
and said that he was very anxious for the
discussion to begin. Ny. Smith did not
care to make public his line Of argument
until after the first debate, but talked
very confidently of his chances Of success
omer Literature.
1.-THE literature which has been dis
tributed broadcast over the state by Mr..
Conner Is very misleading said Mr.
Smith. "and l am DESTROYS Of discussing
the matter Jointly with him, that the
public might thoroughly understand the
situation. This lead me to issue the chal-
lenge which I am glad Mr.. Conner decided
to accept.
THE debates will be conducted on
high plane continued Mr.. Smith, land
think 1t an excellent way in which to
bring the questions before the people
in a fair light I want the voters 10 see
both sides of 1t before deciding which
way they shall vote. In the literature
sent out by Mr.. Conner there are some
very misleading statements and these |
desire to correct
I'm travelling over the state find the
people are very much interested In the
railroad commission campaign, and they
are reading everything they can get on
the subject While the people are weigh
ing this matter I believe It the proper
time for a joint debate that they may
hear both sides of the question"
II do not care to discuss my plans or
views at length just now as prefer 20
wait until our opening debate on Febru-
airy 49,"
Interest in Debate.
The following special was received from
Montgomery last night.
&C Brooks Smith of the auditors office
left today for Birmingham where he will
with Associate Railroad Commissioner w.
7. Sanders represent President John V.
Smith in making arrangements with b.
b. Conner for the joint canvass OF the
state for the presidency Of the railroad
commission.
I'm accepting the challenge Of Mr..
Smith. Mr.. Conner left the arrangements
with his manager. Frank S. White. so the
conference will be simply between repre-
sentatives of the principals in the debate.
Much interest centers in this debate since
Mr. Smith very naturally has to bear the
brunt Of Mr.. Corners charges against the
commission and Mr.. Smith is expected 10
uphold the past policy and findings of the
commission