The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-31
WANT FIREMEN AND
 POLICEMEN ID RIDE
Street Railway Seeks Favorable
 Aspect ofGLaW
LETTER TO PASS HOLDERS
Company Recalls Books and Notifies Holders That Passes Will Not Be Honored After Midnight
 Tuesday.

It is understood that the legal depart ment of the Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company is in consultation with Attorney General Garber and that he will render his opinion in few days as to whether the street railway com pany can legally continue to allow the policemen and fremen to ride free.
 The company Is very eager to allow these officers to ride just as much as possible. as the management knows, should they be forced to pay. most of them would ride horses or walk. and the protection to passengers and property of the company in having an officer aboard Is not undervalued.
 If there Is any way to bridge over the law, the company will follow 1t out. Mir. Garber was asked this week to give an opinion on the subject, and will re- ply in a few days. It Is thought, that inasmuch as the franchise calls for free transportation for city officials. it may be looked upon as a contract, and not applicable to the provisions of the anti pass law.
 The Birmingham Railway, Light and Power company has given official notice to the holders of complimentary passes that the free passes issued by the com pany will be void after midnight, Septem- Der 8. The letters call attention to tho fact that the act passed by the legislature prohibits all common carriers of persons from giving, and all persons from re- ceiving or using free passes, rebates, reductions or discounts for transportation, under penalty for each offense of a fine of not less than one hundred nor more than two thousand dollars, or imprson- ment In the county jail or to hard la bor for not more than six months, one or both, at the discretion of the jury trying the case.'
 Pass holders 1t Is understood, are rid ing the street ears to a finish, trying to use up every ticket in their books be- fore they become worthless of their face value
 Tho following Is @ copy of the letter which seals the fate of every "deadhead" In the city who is not an employe of the company:
 To the holders of complimentary passes
 issued by the Birmingham Railway,
 Light and Power company:
 Gentlemen-The management regret to advice you that the legislature of Ala bama passed act, approved February IA, 19o7 and which goes into effect thir- ty days after the adjournment of that body or on September 4. 1907, which prohibits all common carriers of passen- gers from giving and all persons from re- ceiving or using free passes. rebates, reductions or discounts for transporta tion.' under penalty for each offense of a fine 'of not less than one hundred dollars nor more than two thousand dol lars. Imprisonment in the county Jail or to hard labor for the county for not less than six months, one or both at the discretion of the jury trying the case"
 Under this law the management will be forced to recall, for It's protection and for that of its pass holders, all passes and free tickets and to instruct it's conduc- tors not to honor them after midnight September 3, 1907. Very truly yours, J. A. EMERY,
 Vice President and General Manager.