The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-11-24
LEGISLATURE WILL
HAVE BUSY TIMES
Some of the Measures J Il
May Be Considered
RATE REGULATION I
oov.-elect B. 3. Come
Write the Rate 5i %
On BY the
lature.
RATE REGULATION

The Alabama legislature, which sts
In Montgomery Tuesday January 8, 1907.
Probably will have the most important
and evenful session since the civil war.
Since the last session of the body in
1903 many questions of public Importance
have arisen demanding legislation, and
conditions have changed requiring the
amendment or abolition of lawssnow on
the statute books. During the long recess
the attorneys and the courts have had
time to find many flaws In the acts adopt
ed under the new constitution, a condi-
ton necessarily resulting in many ir-
Irregularities
These Irregularities will have to be
weeded out and many laws amended TO fit
the constitution and the legal require
ments of the state.
Many new measures. therefore, will be
introduced and a great deal of the time
of the session will be taken up, possibly,
in Strengthening out" work.
The leading issue to be considered by
the legislature Is railroad rate legisla-
ton. A majority of the members of the
Legislature are pledged to some sort Of
rate reform, and there is no question but
that bill of this sort will be passed, and
that early in the session.
Conner Will Write Bill.
1t seems to be the general opinion of
| those familiar with the situation that
Governor Conner will write or dictate the
bill to be considered by the general as
scmbly. 1t is the general feeling that
since the people of Alabama two years
ago elected him president of the railroad
commission and again this year as COVER
nor on platform calling for railroad rate
reform, he holds a commission from the
people to frame a measure to be intro
duced in the Legislature.
Matter of Local Option.
Another question of Importance to come
up at the next session will be the mat
ter of local option as advocated by the
Anti-Saloon league. The democratic plat
form of the state calls for such meas
ure, and a majority of the new members
of the legislature are said to be personally
pledged to the passage of a local option
law. There seems to be little or no doubt
but that this law will be adopted.
A general municipal code for the state
will also engage great deal of the at
tention of the next session. This is IL
measure that has become necessary from
the fact that the new constitution does
not provide for the granting of new mu-
nicipal. charters the amendment of old
charters. The matter was left open with
the tacit understanding that a general
law on the subject would be provided
An effort was made at the last session
two years ago TO pass a general munich
pal code, but 1t had not been accomp.
llshed at the time of adjournment.
Local laws of interest to be considered
at the next session will be one to extend
the efficiency of the judicial system OF
Jefferson county, and to relieve the pres.
ent congested condition of the courts. A
Greater Birmingham bill of some sort
will also be introduced.
Mr.. Miller Talks.
In speaking of probable legislation and
work to come before the next session,
State Senator-elect Nathan l.. Miller said
last night
THE next session of the legislature Will
be an important one in many ways and
will probably be one of the busiest in the
history of the state.
EVERY member will probably report
with a good sized batch of measures To be
considered, and the probabilities are that
main on the calendar at the close of the
fifty days session.
while do not wish to go on record as
advocating or opposing many OF the
measures that are being proposed there
are number of matters that deserve the
careful attention of all members and for
the passage of which the people seem
clamorous.
Railroad rate legislation will, of course.
stand first on the calendar and will en-
gage the first attention of the legislators.
| feel safe in saying that railroad rate
bill will be written, or at least inspired
by Governor b. b. Conner 1t occurs To
me that the overwhelming majorites by
which Mr.. Conner was elected president of
the railroad commission two years ago,
and again to the governorship this year
on this issue is a commission from the
people of Alabama TO dictate leglsla ton
on this subject SO long as he does not go
beyond the bounds promised and declared
by him In the recent campaigns. The bill
for rate regulation will also extend pos
sibly to the regulation of all common
carriers, such as telegraph, telephone,
street railway and water transportation
| companies.
Members Are Besieged.
1.-The members-elect of the next session
are being besieged daily with demands
for Legislation on one thing or another
from the regulation of railroad rates to
the regulation of weights and measures
of meal. ] am carefully considering every
question that is being brought to my at
tention, but can make no promises, of
course. as to what | expect to accom-
plish during the term. The things | ad-
vocated during the recent campaign
shall do all in my power to accomplish.
Some of the measures that are being
discussed and that will probably be con-
sidered by the next legislature are as
follows:
| 'tRoilroad rate rpYIllation