The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-12-11
MR. COMER RETURNS FROM WASHINGTON Was Guest at the Gridiron Club
 Banquet
HAD A PLEASANT TRIP
Calls On Southern Railway Officials In Reference to Better Service, But Gets No Promise of
 Reform.

Gets No Promise of
 Reform.
 Gov.-elect B. B. Conner returned yes- terday afternoon from Washington, where he attended the annual banquet of the Gridiron club last Saturday night While in Washington Mir Conner called on some of the officials of the Southern Railway company in reference to the alleged bad service of that road in Alabama. He also went before the interstate commerce commission on the same business.
 While he got no definite promise of re- form from the railway officials he se- cured the promise of the interstate com merce commission that proper petition asking for investigation would be prompt ly considered
 MT. Conner complained especially of the railroad boycott on the waterways of the state. It is charged that the railroads will not receive freight from river and harbor stations nor deliver freight to such stations for transportation over wa ter routes. It is claimed that some of the railroads carry freight the long way to Washington and other points to avoid delivering it to waterway stations in the state.
 Talks of His Trip.
 In speaking of his trip Mr. Conner said:
 T went to Washington as a guest of the Gridiron club. at it's annual banquet and must say that have never attended an affair that gave me more pleasure. The event was great success and every one present seemed to enjoy it immensely
 ''l had the pleasure of meeting and getting acquainted with number of the most prominent journalists and public men of the country. I was especially im- pressed with the speech made at the banquet by President Roosevelt I also had an audience with the President I was struck with his honesty of purpose and his power as an executive. He is a man of courage and strong convictions and in my opinion has made a good President l was presented to the Presi- dent by Representative Clayton of Ala bama.
 'I visited the House of Representatives and was given the privilege of the floor l met number of the leading members and spent the time very pleasantly and profitably. l was treated with great court esy by the members and especially the Alabama delegation. 1 met any talked x1-ifh fo impressed with him. l noticed that he wore full suit of jeans and l asked him if it was all wool. He laughingly replied that a part of the goods was cotton and I expressed the hope that the suggestion would lead him to re- member the land of cotton and weave some of the southern spirit into the laws of the country
 Calls On MT. Finley.
 While 1 was in Washington l called on President W. W. Finley and other officials of the Southern railway, in ref erence to the poor service of that road in Alabama l called their attention to the delays and inefficiency in the handling of freight and especially the boycott that is being maintained against the rivers and other waterways of the state. The road hauls freight the long way by rail to Washington and other points, rather than deliver it for shipment to the water way stations. This is an injustice to the people of Alabama and should be cor rected. l also called the attention of the officials to the necessity of double tracks on the main line leading to Wash ington.
 ''1 was very well impressed with MT. Finley. Of course he has just taken charge of the office of president of the road and will have to feel his way be- fore he inaugurates any revolutionary methods in the operation of the road, but there are many Improvements that could and should be made at once l re- ceived no definite promise from the off cials as to any reforms.
 Calls On Commission.
 "I called on the interstate commerce commission and was cordially received. was promised by the commission that if q proper petition be received. the matter of boycott on the waterways will be in vestigated at once"
 Mr Conner declined to discuss state po- ltieal matters for publication. except in reply to the direct question as to what will become of the freight rate reform movement since he had been elected governor, as he was the leader of that movement and also had a majority of the members of the legislature pledged to railroad rate reform.
 Mr Conner said: 'grhe rate reformers in Alabama will not disband until the legislature has been permanently organ- ized and some of the reforms that are demanded have been secured. The people of Alabama are serious and determined in this matter and will not relent in their efforts until al least some of the exist ing evils have been corrected"
 MT. Conner will be inaugurated gover- nor of alabama January n. He will possibly make no announcement of ap- pointments in his power until after his inauguration.