The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-06

SATURDAY, h
firm Confederate soldiers and their fami-
lies who are dependent upon them.
Comparison of rates applicable on the
Louisville and Nashville railroad IN Ala
bama on 127 commodities, for distances
blocks of five miles, from five TO forty
miles. with rates on same commodities
for same distances IN Georgia:
Louisville and Nashville rates IN Ala
bama are per cent lower than Geor-
gia commissions standard.
Louisville and Nashville rates IN Ala
bama are "a per cent lower than rates OIL
Glass roads in Georgia.
Louisville and Nashville rates In Ala.
bama are q per cent lower IMAM rates u
Glass C roads in Georgia.
Louisville and Nashville rates IN Aia-
bama are 80. per cent lower thah rates
of Glass d roads in Georgia.
Louisville and Nashville rates in Ala
bama are 26 per cent lower than the aver
age of the rates applicable on all roaus
in Georgia.
May Finish Tonight.
1t is believed today that by hard work
the Alabama railroad commission may
finish its work in time to adjourn tomor-
row night, though there are several more
witnesses to be examined. There were on
the stand today A. r. Smith for the west
ern, and George r. Knox for the Nash
Vile. Chattanooga and st. Louis so tar
as any line of opinion can be expressed
1t seems that it is expected that there
will be no vote for a general plan OF re-
luction of rates, but some arrangement
made by which unjust conditions VIII be
removed.
An attorney for one of the big sys-
TENS. who is giving his attention TO the
hearings. said today that 1t had been de-
veloped by the hearing that some discrim-
nations did exist. 1t was impossible ne
pointed out, that such would not occur
when there was so many interests TO De
subserved and many conditions TO meet
He was sure that there would be every
disposition on the part of the roads TO
correct all these
Rates to Farmers.
Throughout this hearing. as in the past
President Conner has emphasized the ques-
ton of the rates that the farmers have
to pay. He insists that they are the
only ones who are really hurt He insists
that In the state of Georgia there nave
been established conditions that make IL
possible for the farmers to raise stun
and run the Alabama tillers OF the SOIL
out OF the market. DttdAlSt TIC 'NSi 80
rates are so low that the difference oil
freight takes up al the Alabama man
could make and little more. He has not
commended that the roads have not peeh
liberal with the manufacturers and the
interests of the industrial classes
An amusing thing happened yesterday
Mr.. Conner. being the owner OF COUPE
of cotton mills, naturally talks srea'
deal about the rates on cotton and cot
ton goods He was talking about the
400, 600 people of Alabama who work Tor
IS cents a day 1t was we'll known that
a large majority of these We're employees
of cotton mills Vice President Winpulh
of the Central of Georgia asked Mr.
Conner If the wages of these people were
raised any when the price of cotton went
from to II cents.
Mr. Conner replied in the negative, ana
NJ Winburn and several others laughed.
the inference being plain that II MI
Conner was so anxious for the weliare
of these people he ought to have raised
their wages when times were good
Mr.. Conner replied hotly Don you
get the idea in your head that there Is
any difference in human nature. We pay
for labor what we have to to get It, Just
like you charge what you can get for
haulage."
There the matter dropped with laugh
all around.
Show of Temper.
Mr.. Conner showed his temper very
plainly yesterday afternoon, and to any
one who might be inclined to regard
the position he has taken as assumed for
selfish purposes he indicated that he was
sensitive on It, He combatted state
ment that the plan he espoused to put in
the Georgia standards in the state would
work to the hardship of the farmers on
the branch roads as compared to those
on the main lines. and. therefore, dis
eliminate against some farmers In favor
of others. This being so the position OF
the chair was not consistent with the
assertions that he had made that he
wanted the same conditions for all Mr.
Compton of the Louisville and Nashville
made the statement in the way of argu-
ment evidently, not to question the In
tegrity of the president. However, Mr.
Conner made a personal matter of 1t and
grew very angry batting his desk with
his fist in a vociforous manner. He be-
came so wrought up that It took several
minutes for his hand to stop shaking To
this disposition to grow excited is due
the early firing out of Mr.. Conner in the
hearings. He works himself UP to such
a pitch that ne exhausts his physical en-
ergy needlessly.
Geners: Good Feeling.
Notwithstanding all the excitement that
is gotten up from time to time in the
meeting there Is most cordial spirit in
recess time. After adjournment Is taken
Mr. Conner. who is entertaining talker
as he is a hard fighter, groups around
with the traffic men. and many a good
joke is cracked In the meantime. Pres-
dent Wickersham of the Western, for
many years a resident of Birmingham and
neghbor of Mr.. Conner, Is one of the
most persistent of the good humored nag
gers of the president of the commission.
He never let's an opportunity pass to give
him a good humored dig. and quite fire.
quently turns the laugh on him as a re-
suit. In the course of the hearings Mr..
Conner now and then turns to Mr.. Wick
ersham and asks a question, which Is
replied to in most cases, as Mr.. Conner in
tended that it should be, In Jocular way.
These little sallles tend to tighten the
burden of the mass of detail that has to
be taken into consideration
Mr. Conner seems also to lay great stress
on what Vice President Culp Of the South
ern has to say. Very often he will turn to
him and say: you remember we talked
that all over two or three times, Mr.
Culp." The general traffic man always
replies that he recalls, not infrequehtly
calling attention to his having gotten the
best of the argument as he see it. This is
followed by a patronizing smile from Mr.
Conner, as much as to say, We'll, you |
thought you did
UNITED SOCIETY