The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-04-07
Present Meeting Has Helped to Bring About Better Under
 standing on Both Sides
RAILROAD MEN UNWILLING
 ID ACCEPT GEORGIA RATES
MT. cuIp Maintains Railroad Is Enti- tied to a Living and Says Prospects of Increased Tonnage Are Met
 With Rate Reductions.
BY HERvEY w. LAIRD.

BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.
 Montgomery, April 6.--(Special )-With bands playing and banners flying, with armament shining and uniforms as inn maeulate as the faultless shirt front of a country swell, the Alabama railroad com mission marched up the hill and then marched down again.
 Last night there was an impression that une top had not been reached, and that it would take several days to attain the summit. This morning the procession turned abruptly and almost ran back down to the point from which the ascent began three days ago. And it was all due largely to the fact that the other members of the commission stood for all evening session and kept President Conner out of bed much later than his usual time last night. Some fellow must have gotten on to that habit of the president of going to bed early and helped along the late session idea. MT Conner, who complained last night of not feeling we'll asked to- day that as he was in bad physical condi- tion the further investigation of the rate question be postponed. To meet his re- quest the other members voted with him to postpone to the first Wednesday in May.
 Three Days of Work.
 Though there had been three days on testimony taking and there have been present during that time some of the most noted railroad men of the country there was no vote taken on any question save the Mobile depot and the Glen Allen case, work being ordered within forty days on the one and decision of no jurisdiction Tn the other When the commission assem- bled last Monday it was with the under standing that the rates on fertilizers III the state be readjusted at least evi- dence be taken with that idea in view As soon as the commission met Commlsslon- or Sanders moved that the whole ques- ton of rates in the state be gone Into. MI. Conner demurred, but agreed to It with the understanding that tnose on Ter tilizers be taken up first and disposed of. After the hearing had gone up to yes terday A motion was carried the effect ot which was to take up, before voting on the fertilizer rates, the entire schedules and the railroad men resent agreed that they were ready to begin. MT. Conner pro tested and said he was not well enough posted to do this, besides he felt thar there should be lawyer to represent the commission side of the case, and he had no way of getting one at this time. lie eaid he would see the governor and as certain if that official had any way to provide counsel under such circumstances, and was told by one of his associates lhat he had not. MT. Conner saw the governor and was told that he had no way to take care of such case.
 MT. Conner III.
 Because of the rather strained conal- tions brought about by this move so objectionable to the president there was great interest in the opening session to- dav. President Conner called 1t to or dar at o.ao a m and at the very hrst word asked his associates to agree 10 nostnonement in view of his indifferent ihvsical condition. MT. Sanders agreed that if MT. Conner was not feellng equal to the task further he would vote .o nostpone. He said that his wish to go ln- "a tbe matter arose from a standpoint Of exnedieney and convenience. He knew that it was hard to get the railroad men here or rather that they found 1t difficult to make so many trips and he thought as they were here and comfortable now would he the best time to go into the whole question. He had no intention to r,sh matter or to force any one into dutv that they were not able to meet Mr. Sanders also disclaimed any inten- ,,o,, of heinz sarcastic in his remarks of vesterday and assured all that he spoke with respect to every one present.
 Nrr Conner said that he regarded the ren,arlxs of MT. Sanders concerning the ..aIertness of the chair as sarcastic The other gentleman did not mean them that way, he said
 Georgia Tariffs.
 MT. Conner then proposed to the rail- road men present to put in the Georgla tariffs and standards, with an agree ment to allow concessions on these Tn iiheral vay as he termed 1t. This was tra trof mo DraGqut Sneaking for the Southern Vice Presi- dent Culp said that it would be impos- sible to accept these. He said ms road was not making any returns on property in Alabama and that in many cases the Alahama end of the holdings had not been able to meet it's own interest ae- counts. He said that all the roads have nractjcallv uniform classification in the state
 MT. Conner insisted that it was not right thct Alabama should be charged Tor faii- rres to earn we'll in other states. MT. Culp said 1t had not been. MT. Culp fur ther said that every railroad Is entitled to a living and to such rates as will give that He said the roads were always ready to reduce the rates if there was fair prospect of increased tonnage lie said his people kept in touch with the farmers many of their industrial agents being men from that walk of life The southern had always been able to meet
 
 the complaints of it's patrons. Speaking of a depot on his line which MT. Conner designated as only big enough for ren for A red steer MT. Culp said that if there was just cause for complaint 1t would be remedied. This bringing the matter up to vote, MT. Sanders moved that adjournment be taken to the first Wednesday In May which was agreed to. that day being sat- isfactory to the railroad men.
 Important Session.
 The meeting just closing of the Alabama Railroad commission has developed a number of important things and will prove highly educative to the people Of the state. especially as it has been given lib- eral space in the papers of the leading cities of the state. While there was no vote reached 1t would be untrue to say that the meeting has been productive of