The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-03

People Not Oppressed.
 "For instance" continued Mir. Thomp- son. "I cannot sympathize with Nh. Comer when he says that the people of Alabama are the victims of railway op- pression, railway extortion and railway greed. It is, I think easier to make that charge than to prove it. It Is true that the freight rates inside this state are higher. in some cases, than they are in some neghboring states; but it is also true that the interstate rates fixed by the railways for Aabama's great products-her enormous tonnage are lower here than elsewhere. The indus trial prosperity of this state Is based upon the products of iron, timber and cotton. The output of these products find markets in the distant states. Only small fraction Is consumed at home. In order to thrive these three great in- dustries must get to the distant mar kets chiefly in the north and east. The railways, recognizing this fact, have fixed rates-interstate rates-that are eX- ceedingly advantageous to Alabama. The upshot of 1t all Is that the products of the peoples industry in this state are enabled to compete with the products of Ohio. Pennsylvania and New England. and millions of money are annually brought back here, invested in homes. in real estate. and in many diversified in dustries.
 State Made Prosperous.
 By means of this system the state is made prosperous and the people are kept happy. Deposits in savings banks accumulate. bank clearlngs increase and the volume of business done in all lines mounts higher and higher In view of these facts-ln view of this treatment that is accorded the people of Alabama by the railroads--I submit that 1t is not logical-it is not fair--to state that the railways look upon the people of Alabama as victims upon whom they can wreak their greed by methods of oppression and extortion.
 A Case In Point.
 Now, it is complained that lower freight rates are, in some cases granted great industrial plants in the Birmngham district and throughout the state than are granted individual consumers--that the railways charge less to ship a ton of coal to one of the big iron companies than to a baker or butcher or candlestick- maker In the same vicinity. The charge may be true, but Is the complaint iusti- fled? I think not. and for this reason: These great industrial plants form the basis-the ground work-of the Birming- ham districts prosperity. The railways know this, and they fix a rate that will enable these great industries to carry on the work, increase their pay rolls and thereby promote the welfare of the com munity.
 Stand or Fall Together.
 No, Noi No!'' protested MT. Thompson "The railways do not oppress our people They know that we must all stand or fall together; that what is best for the peo- pie is best for the railways too. If the rates inside the state are. in some cases higher than in other states, they are so only in order to equalize the lower inter- state rate that is fixed for Alabama's s great products of iron, lumber and cot ton. It is imperative that these great industries be enabled to compete with the distant markets. Cotton must go to the sea board and to New England timber and iron and steel and coal to the east north and northwest. Rates are SO fixed that Alabama's industries will he put on their feet and kept on their feet and the whole state enjoy general prosperity.
 Railways Develop State.
 T repeat that it is unreasonable to say that the railways are oppressive. When section of the state has needed .devel- opment. what have the railways done? Take the country between the Warrior rivers. Have not the railways spent money freely to build up that country? How many places in the state that are now thriving with industry and popula- tion have been made what they are by railway development Was this oppres- sion? How many mines have been open ed and developed by means of railway encouragement! Was this mere cupidity on the part of the railways? How many towns have been given new life and how many out of the way districts have been brought within the circle of industrial ac- tivity by railway enterprise! Was this railway exiortion?
 Think for moment of the situation here in Birmingham. Only few hlys ago the Illinois Central railway invested here in real estate s550.0o0 That money, I was told today has been since turned over so often that If has retired $2000.000 of loans and stimulated business activity sharply Was that railway oppression? The Bir mingham Terminal company. representing