The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-07-14
COTTON CROP IN
 FINE CONDITION Plan 10 Organize Southern
 Secretaries of State REPORT ON RAILROADS Commissioner of Agriculture Is Talk ing of Declaring Quarantine Against
REPORT ON RAILROADS
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.
 Montgomery, July 1S.-(specia1 l--The July crop report, issued today by the state department of agriculture, say the cotton crop is in fine condition, with splendid prospects. The full text fof- lows:
 Since the last report our correspon- dents inform us that rains have fallen in almost every section of the state. In some sections there is fear of too much mois- ture which would cause the plant to grow abnormally fast and fail to take on suf- ficient fruit The crop is still two weeks late, but generally speaking is in fine condition, with bright prospects for a good yield.
 Corn is fine in almost every section of the state and bids fair to produce a bountifui harvest.
 "Fruits. especially peaches, are fine and are now being shipped, to northern, west ern and eastern markets in large quanti- ties. There is great interest being mani fested in peach growing In Alabama, and the time is not far distant when our state will be one of the greatest of the fruit-growing sections.
 "The yield of hay has been light on ac- count of lack of rain during the spring months, but it is now growing at rapid rate. Alfalfa is doing finely wherever planted.
 All minor crops are doing well.'
 McDavid Willing.
 Secretary of State b. R. McDavid is in receipt of a letter from Secretary of State J. w. Morton of Tennessee. In which the latter seeks the cooperation of his Ala bama colleague in matters of importance to all the southern states. MT. Morton has an idea of getting a convention of tHe secretaries of the southern states at sonrs central point, and there discuss laws that are needed Prominent among these is general or uneorm corporation ordinance, that will do away with great deal of the confusion now existing. especially where corporations are doing business in two or more states. MT. MIG David wrote MT. Morton, assuring nm of his hearty sympathy and support, and agreeing to fall in with him In any way that promises practical results.
 old Papers Received.
 The department of archives and history has received a full file of The Universal list Herald" covering dates from 1851 to 1896, at which time the paper was eonsol- idated with a South Carolina publication of the same faith The paper was pup lished by Rev. John c. Buress, it's edi- tor all the time of its existence, and who is now enjoying ripe old age at his home in Notasu!ga, Ala. The paper was pub lished for a time at Montgomery, put during the last years of it's life at Nota- sulga, which is in Macon county. The paper has many facts of importance in It from time to time, though primarily religious publication. MT. Burruss values inc files very highly and sends them to the state department in order that they may be permanently preserved.
 Railroad Reports.
 The state railroad commission is send ing out question blanks to the lines of the state, on which they are to make report of business and conditions for the year ending June 30. These must be in the of- fee of the secretary by or before Septem- Der 9O From the information furnished by the railroads the secretary of the com mission makes up his annual report to the governor which must be ready for the executive by October To-
 Last years report showed that the state had D. 436.sS miles of track, which was an
  The total earnings for the lines in Ala bama for the year ending June 70, 1903, were $27, ,615, ,567 99, with expenses of $2OS4o,- 5266O leaving net returns of $67O'0flS9
 The average gross earnings per mile for the year ending June 30, 1903 was sao'9.SS, as against S5,053.S0 in Georgia. Alabama had an average expense of s9,SS449 com pared to $356l.72 in Georgia making the net average earnings in our neighboring ae nOatnGt Si iD4D.31 In Ala bama Alabama's percentage of operating expenses to earnings was 75.S, Georgia 7047.
 Reward for Escapes.
 Governor Cunningham today offered a reward of $100 for each of the convicts who escaped from Pratt Mines Monday evening The rewards is offered for the arrest and delivery to any sheriff in the state.
 There were six who escaped but two were captured. Those who are at liberty now are: Edward Dickerson of Jefferson county. convicted of robbery in 1901 and given a sentence of 16 years; George Gal lespie, an ex-convict sent up from Tus- caloosa for robbery in 1903 and given life sentence; Wash Smith of Baldwin county. convicted for assault in 1903 and given a life sentence. and John Hogan Of Jefferson, who was sent up from Jeff ltlSO4 CoutllS III lJJo TUT lllt lOi lhhANNAs
 Jones is Pleased.
 Among the prominent Alabamians well pleased with the result of the St. Louis convention is MT George W. Jones, a member of the state executive committee of the democratic party, and assistant district attorney of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad company Parker s strength, Roosevelt's weakness and har- mony of the democrats of the nation is combination that promises victory, thinks MT. Jones, who says further: Parker has shown himself leader of the highest type. He kept the party out of trap. He had sense enough to know that silence on the monetary question was not golden. But for his famous telegram and the reply of the convention thereto, the democratic party would have been charged with presenting to the voters of the United States a sound money candidate for President on free silver platform. The selection of ex-Senator Davis for his running mate was pre-eminently proper. and will add much strength to the ticket Among