The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-05
COMER CAUSTIC AT REGULAR MEET |KG Robert Jemison Appears Before
 the Commission LAWS ARE VERY DETECTIVE Mir. Conner Tells Compliments He Gan Do Nothing Until They Elect a
 Legislature to Work for
 the People.

Montgomery. December 4-(Special.)- Though slimly attended by outsiders to- days session of the Alabama railroad commission was one of the most sensa- tional of any since B. B. Conner took charge as president. That gentleman, who is seeking the democratic nomination for governor, stated in open meeting, and in correspondence which was read at the session, that the laws governing the oper- ations of the railroads were, in his opin- ion. made with very little regard for the interests of the people. This was brought about, he thought, by too many railroad lawyers in the legislature and too much railroad lobbying in the capitol.
 He urged upon one man to whom he had written letter that the main thing you can do for yourselves is to elect a legislature instructed to establish req sonable laws governing your relations with the railroads" and suggested to another that he keep kicking, complain ing and writing to the commission. You keep building stores and will keep ham, mering on them and between us I think we will get it (depoD after a while," he said to a man at Pike.
 Discussing the alleged fallability of the laws at present on the books, Presi- dent Conner said that the commission could not, under any of them, order any railroad to build a depot. This was dis puted by Associate Commissioner San IIa ba mi Gio bod every right, and it had been upheld, to order depots It did not have, however, the right to order union depots built, which was probably what had thrown MT. Conner off the track. It is a fact, and MT. Conner emphasized it. that the com mission can not order any railroad to put in an agent where one is needed or sup posed to be needed.
 Two Interesting Questions.
 Two matters that were expected to de- velop interest today were the proposition to force the Birmingham Railway. Light and Power company to file copies of its tariffs with the commission, on the ground that it is a common carrier and ameniable to rules of the commission and the movement to take up the matter of rates to Alabama mills on cotton. The latter is supposed to be one of the pet moves of the president, though he is responsible for both being on the docket.
 President Robert Jemison of the Br- mingham Railway, Light and Power com pany, appeared before the commission, with his counsel John P Tillman of Br- mingham He stated that he could see no serious objection to filing the tariffs and in every way complying with the rights l of the commission, if such rights exist i in the present case, but at this time he , Is about to go to New York to float l $2500,000 of bonds for some improvements l to the property and he would rather not answer at this time. He did not know i that it would make any difference in his getting the money but he would much rather have the benefit of the doubt. He said that the freight hauled by the com i pany was wholly for the accommodation of the people. being carried to places reached otherwise by wagon only. It did not net any profit and if 1t could be turned l loose without inconvenience to the patrons of the lines of the company he would | be very willing to relinquish it. He also said that the charter of the company under which it is now operating is such as to leave it outside of the perview of the commission if they should decide to | make the point.
 The case went over to the February meeting with the attorneys of the com | pany to file briefs in the meantime
 The matter of the rate on cotton to mills in Alabama went over to the sec ond Monday in January by unanimous yote
 A petition was received from Belk, or the Southern railway. for a depot. Ii went to the January term.
 General Freight Agent George R. KnoS of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St Louis announced that he had made a rate of $1 on coal from Gadsden to Albert ville Boaz and Guntersvile in place oi what had always been $l 10 to $1 30. He asked approval of the rate, but with the proviso that 1t was not to be reckoned permanent until it was tried. It was made, he said, to develop the business in at direction and might be failure. Ii was approved.
 A Warm Letter.
 The matter of depot accommodations al Sacho was again brought up. President Conner had written letter to G. w. Brooks, a man there, who had taken 1t up with the commission, which letter is | given as a showing of the policy of the commission in the premises. The letter | follows
 + "G. W. Brooks, Pike, Ala:
 + Dear Sir-Yours of 11th inst. receive | and noted. I am sure that the railroads would not meet your views along the