The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-08-24

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Alabama's rates he said Alabama had fair
rates. An official told me that his road
was earning $4,000 a mile That Is how
fair they are
Every time these railroads cross the
Chattahoochie river going and coming the
rate changes Going the other way in
creases the tax rate and decreases the
freight rate. Coming this way decreases
the tax rate and increases the freight
rate A wonderful river, gentlemen. We
are trying to make better freight rates
and improve the condition of the farmer.
"Why the farmer? Because he IS tho
very foundation stone. Make him con-
/ tent to stay at home and you increase the
crops and thereby the prosperity. by IN
creaslng your products and decreasing the
rates.
1--WE want to make the present rate
in Alabama the maximum rate, the pres
ent condition the maximum condition,
and have it so you can't change 1t except
by statute
Remember this, according to the rail-
roads own testimony Alabama has the
fairest rates of any state through which
they run We are going a new way. Wa
are going the way Georgia and South Car
DINA went. Lets make a law-given rate.
| Lets join hands and go down to the capt.
tol and do what? Take a broom and
sweep that railroad lobby out"
The applause that greeted Mr.. Conner
was not tumultuous but 1t was frequent
Hobson Cheered.
| Captain Hobson was introduced and
was so loudly cheered that 1t was sew
eral minutes before he could be heard.
He said in part
'This has been a long fight and a hot
fight and let us remember that we are
all democrats, and next Monday when 1t
is all over let us bear no malice over the
result We have come here tonight to
help ourselves in the performance OF that
great right which had its beginning way
back among the Anglo-saxons when they
elected their shrieves, from which our
word sheriff comes. From that time on
down to Runnymede, when they exacted
the privilege Of representation, to the
days of 1776, when we fought for 1t, It hai
been the most cherished of principles.
Railroad Legislation.
1--WE are here to choose our own gov
ernor. II we cut away all secondary ques
lions we find one supreme Issue, railroad
legislation. You ought not to be diverted
from this, the main issue. Some one hal
said that railroads own their property ano
therefore have the right to regulate it'
own business. That is mistake. The
l.railroad right of way runs through your
house. perchance; that may be dear tc
you beyond price, made sacred by the
tenderest of associations. Why is this
grant? Because the railroad has public
service to perform. When you realize that
the railroad becomes the very veins AND
arteries of the land, do you think veins
and arteries ought TO be allowed to pillagt
the lungs and control the regulating sys
tenn of the brain? You would be a sicl
man.
II submit it to you, my countrymen
no private corporation has the power t.
regulate this circulation SO vital to thu
country. l understand they have under
taken to stop certain abuses But 1t will
not be long before these same abuses
will work out all over again. Just as m,
distinguished friend has said, they pu
on as much rate as the traffic will bear
Just as in China the Mandarin imposes
as great a tax as the people can pay
At this point Captain Hobson declared
that 1t was getting very hot and pro
ceeded to take off his coat, which act wa
greeted with burst of applause from thu
multitude, most of whom looked as though
they needed a system of cutters.
Rates Extortlonate.
what is the situation In Alabama,
continued the speaker. 1T is known o.
all men that the rates are extortionate
that we pay now 100000 more than wha
is reasonable. When they place valu
alton on their property In Wall street they
say 1t is worth $4,000 a mile. When they
value 1t for taxes they say 1t is wortf
only 5000 mile.
1.-THE railroads do not hesitate to dis
criminate between states Crossing this
Alabama river rates leap aloft. If mar
man stands in Georgia he pays 81. II h
steps over into Alabama he pays $1.80.
How do you suppose they get thai
power? Why can't you write the railroad