The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-07
Campaign Rate Schedule Shown
TO be Incorrect
COMPTON SUBMITS FIGURES
Mr.. Conner Says He Had Every Rea-
son to Believe Figures We're Cor
rect. as They Were Prepared
BY Responsible Men.
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

| Montgomery, May Especial. AFTER
devoting the time since Wednesday morn
ing to hearing testimony, looking to a
general revision of the freight rates in the
state the Alabama railroad commission
adjourned today, without taking a vote,
to next Monday week. At that time
oral argument will be heard from the
lawyers of any line that may desire to
present them 1t is also presumed that
on that day there will be some sort of
vote taken as to whether the commission
| will order any reductions in the sche-
dulles applying to Alabama or not.
The sessions of the week have done
very little to enhance the strength of
the positions taken by Mr. Conner, as
the leader of the movement for lower
rates in Alabama especially as II has
been brought out very plainly that he
used in his campaign a list of compar-
| sons that have been proven incorrect.
! This is so In more that one instance, but
there are none who have expressed the
belief that Mr.. Conner Intentionally used
statistics that were not based upon facts,
or that he would have taken any advan-
tage that could not have been taken In
all honor.
| INSTANCES FFc5cnIcQ.
The first instance of the rather faulty
figures came up early in the week when
Lincoln Green of the Southern railway
was on the stand. Some statements were
made that were not in line with the tar
ifs In the possession of Mr.. Green. 1t was
explained that the discrepancies came
about by Mr.. Comer's figures being tsbe6
from 1904 rate sheets. from which thers
second came Friday when Mr.. Compton
Of the Louisville and Nashville present.
ed some figures used in the campaign
which resulted in Mr.. Comer's nominal
ton, and which had been found Incorrect.
The charges made In this matter by
Mr. Compton made somewhat OF a stir
in the commission and among the gentle
men who were in attendance. NJ Conner
did not attempt to make much of an
| explanation then but did today. lie said
just before adjournment that the statis-
ties and comparisons had been prepared
by committee OF citizens and that he
had every reason to believe that they
We're correct. He did not believe that
any man would accuse him of wrongfuly
bringing In s1eh matters and he was sure
1t has not ever been his intention to take
any advantage that is not wholly justi-
fled as he sees 1t. The figures were con-
tanned in a circular which was used as
a campaign document and a copy of 1t
was presented by Mr.. Compton.
Too Much of Passion.
Another thing that has been against Mr..
Conner and his movement has been the
disposition that he has manifested to get
after somebody. He seems to have the
idea that by jumping somebody lie
can convince the public that he is in earn
est He has run up against that most
combative element in nature, that Of
not allowing anybody to force action. No
body likes to be made to do things and
least of all men of the high order of in
telligence required to make successful
railroad men. He would have done much
better to have left Off the assertion Just
before the close of the session today that
he would not say some things he intended
to say before President Smith of the
Louisville and Nashville had left town
and could not hear them. The inference
was whether just or not, that he had a
dressing down for Mr.. Smith, and was a
little sorry he was not present to hear 1t.
In the same class was his action of an
other day when he got very angry at
something said by Mr.. Knox of the Nash
Vile, Chattanooga and ST Louis. and
started out as II he was going to say
something very warm. but desisted after
deliberation. Mr.. Knox kindly asked him
to go ahead and say it. but he did not.
Trend of Sentiment.
A showing of the trend of public senti-
ment on the Conner idea Just now is found
in the way the Montgomery County Cot
ton Growers took resolution introduced
today TO endorse his action In the pres
ent sessions of the commissions There
were a few In the meeting who wanted
to pass II. but man who was there was
of the opinion that 1t could never have
passed If II had been put to vote. This
was shown by the fact that IL was re-
ferred to a committee one of whom Is
Col NJ b. Houghton. the man who made
a fight against It, This gentleman, one
! OF the biggest planters In the state took
the position that the association would
make very grave mistake to adopt II.
| He said that Mr.. Conner had made some
| remarkable records in his conduct OF
his office. and that no one could tell
where he would go with IT. Ii was. there
fore best to keep out of a situation that
| might after while prove embarra ssing
Mr.. Houghton Is president of the Mont
gomery Agricultural association. Let us
wait and see what he will do was the
sentiment expressed. later or the gentle
man intimated there might not be any
reason in following his lead.
Not Out for Office.
Mr.. Conner made the significant state
ment today that he was ir this fight to
| win He had been making 1t for sixteen
years, and was not going to let up.
Neither was he doing 1t with the idea OF
getting office or public honors. This
was taken to mean that he was not going
| to be a candidate for governor.
| He said that arrangements had been
made for the commission to take a trim
over the roads of the state soon to look
into number Of complaints that had
been filed. The railroad officials offered
him every facility and said they would
be glad to provide trains for the SER
vice.
Mrs Gray had fondness for the sport