The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-20
BANKHEAD TALKS
 IF FREIGHT RATES "6rave Irregularities in Ala bama," Says Congressman IN FAVOR OF REGULATION" Railways Should Yield to the Peoples Demands, He Adds-Rate Reform
 a Great lssue-WllI Run
 for Congress.
IN FAVOR OF REGULATION"

Col John H. Bankhead. representative in Congress from the Sixth Alabama dis trct, made 1t clear last night that he is in favor of both state and federal regula- ton of railways; that, in his belief, there are grave irregularities in freight rates in Alabama, and that these inequalities should be promptly corrected.
 He said that railway rate reform is now, and will continue to be, an absorbing is sue in Alabama politics. and that the sooner an adjustment is made the better will 1t be for all parties concerned.
 Incidentally Colonel Bankhead said "Wit the present lights before me 1 will be candidate for reelection to Congress from the Sixth district.
 Railway Rate Issue. There can be no doubt said Colonel Bankhead. in commenting on the political situation, that railway rate reform is a great issue in the politics of this state. It is commanding political issue throughout the country. There is popu- lar demand tha. inequalities in freight rates, whenever they are found to exist be corrected and that the railways be regulated by governmental authorities.
 "The powers to do this work of regula- tion are the state and federal govern ments.
 My position on this question is well known. While in Congress 1 voted for the bill that was prepared to carry out President Roosevelts railway regulation policy; and in case the question ever nm Ira I ha1 go a I 9 m in Congress, be found voting on that side of the proposition.
 Grave Irregularities In Alabama.
 Here in Alabama there are grave in- equalities in railway freight rates. These inequalities should be abolished. An ad- justment should be made, and the sooner 1t is made, the better it will be for the people. for the railways and for the state at large. The state railroad commission should correct these inequalities in freight rates. if it has the power to do so. If it lacks the power to do it. it should be clothed with the authority requisite to carry out this reform.
 Railways Should Yield.
 "The time is at length come when the railroads should recognize and reckon with the situation in a practicable, sens ible way. They should adopt a conserv- ative policy and be willing to yield some thing to the demands of the people. If they should adopt such a policy and yield points wherever they can reasonable do so, the difficulties would soon be adjusted. It is, l think, important for various in- terests throughout the state that exist ing differences between the people and the railways of Alabama be speedily com posed. The state wants stability in or der to develop it's resources, and this stability can not be got through constant and prolonged agitation and friction" Will Stand for Reelection.
 "Will you be a candidate, for reelection in the Sixth district?' was asked.
 with the present lights before me I shall be-" said Colonel Bankhead No one has been authorized by me to say that would not be, in spite of certain reports to the contrary.