The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-12-17
. N SLEY D E P "A R T M E N T =-

tainly no one can question the fact that these developments would have been prac- tically impossible without railroad facil- ities.
 Samuel Spencer Quoted.
 As was said so forcibly by MT. s. Spen- cer, president of the Southern Railway company few days ago: But for the transcontinental railways, the United States would only be fringed today With popula ton. The Interior would be a des- ert and the land therein would be value less. The prosperity of this country to- day depends upon an effective transpor- tation system. Development of the United States depends upon the development or the transportation system to the outer world. If this country had the transpor- tation system of any other country in the world, you would have no inland cities, and no inland land worth while. As was stiikingly said in one of the leading pa pers a short time since. concerning Bir- mingham: In thirty years 1t develoVad from a flag station to magnificent clty of 100000 inhabitants, and hive of man ufacturing industries, with the support of a mineral district enjoying tremendous wealth. inexhaustible resources and un- limited prospects" It will be admitted by every thoughtful perSon that without the railroads the billion tons of ore, bil- lions of tons of coal and limestone would be quietly resting in the hills of Jeffefsoh county and other counties as it did for centuries before.
 It is notable fact, as has been stated that there has been very great decline in rates during the past two decades, due to the consolidation of smaller weak lines. and that there have been, for D long period, comparatively very few com plaints as to excessive rates, but the burden of complaints, and the chief griev- ances of shippers and communities, have been as to determinations which have been practced by some, if not many lines, and rebates given In various forms. Such determinations and rebates are prohio- ited under the laws of the United States, and many of the states, and 1t is claimed by many who have investigated the sub ject that they are adequate to redress the wrongs which may be inflicted; but if such Is not the case, there is a unanimous desire to have the laws bearing on these questions so amended as to forever put an end to the slightest injustice. and insure fair and equal treatment to every class of shippers. The recent discussions on this subject have emphasized this feat ure of the railroad question. and have led many thoughtful people to conclude that it is not so much the need Of power on the part of the interstate commerce com mission to fix and reduce rates as 1t IS for g law to prevent discriminations and re- bates - =
 Views of a Candidate.
 One of the candidates for governor in this state (Alabama) in announcing his candidacy, stated, in addressing the farm CTS that the New England cotton inter ests, supported by the bearish influence of Wall street, had combined to force down the price of cotton; and that If they could do so they would drive the price to or cents per pound. "The cupldity of man." he said, 'could not be limited, if left unrestrained." He then said: l am both a farmer and a manufacturers As a farmer, l think that 70 cents per pound for cotton is cheap; as manufac- turer 1 think that cents is about right I will be perfectly frank with you, gen. tlemen: I do not claim to be better than my fellow man; know what the business world Is. It happens that my interests cross one another at right angles tell you I know how these things work He then urged the farmers to cooperate and protect themselves, and to resist the tyranny of those who would desire to oppress them, and reduce the price or their product. This of course, was very good advice; but in discussing the rall- road question: it does not appear to him reasonable for the railroad companies to show any kind of opposition to proposi- tion to reduce their rates, or to give power to the commerce commission to rx their rates-although the owners and man agers of railroads may feel that such ac- ton would be ruinous to the properties which they represent. It Is difficult to see how a disposition to resist action of this kind could be considered as an act, or an effort on the part of the railroad companies to take possession of the state government.
 From my practical experience in rail- roading, I found that railroad people had quite enough to do to manage their busi- ness successfully, and no time for poll ties It is not unreasonable for the rail- road people through their representatives, or agents. to use any legitimate influence to oppose legislation that they believe would be harmful and oppressive to the interests they represent It is notable fact. when the legislature is in session, that if bill should be introduced which, in It's effect. would be injurious to the interest of large number of individuals- or corporate interests, or to state off cials-such as sheriffs, tax assessors and others-representatives of those different interests hasten to the capitol to present their side of the case. and to prevent op- iectionable legislation, if they can. These things are done constantly, and apparent lv without criticism. 1t is simply follow ing out the law of self fpreservation. which the candidate above quoted suggested to the farmers.
 Such Action Incredible.
 I cannot believe that this party, Or any other thrughtfu, considerate person would. under any circumstances, advo- cate, or attempt to reduce the selling price of cotton to cents per pound, as it would mean disaster and poverty to the farmer: but according to his own testi- mony. if he should sell his farm lands he would want the price of cotton to rule very low Every we'll wisher of the farm ing interests. which so much concerns the prosperity of this state, and other south ern states must desire to see the farmer receive at least 10 cents per pound for his cotton-which is not an unreasonable price; and at which price the manufac- turer can operate his mill at handsome profit, and the consumer can afford to use cotton goods manufactured on that basis. Whether this party was serious, or not, if Is chara cteristic of human nature that people most everywhere are inclined to look at only their side of the question not concerning themselves as much as they should about the interest of the other party. Therefore it is reasonable