The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-11-09
IDEAS ARE PRESENTED
 IN EIGHT MEASURES
Principle of Classification Is Aban- doned-Resolution To Adjourn Is Tabled By the Vote of
 24 to 5 In Senate.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

Montgomery, November S.-(Special)- | In the opinion of the men who have been watching the situation, the administration has played it's trump card in the intro- | duction of bills that seek to make rates on given list of commodities, presented in eight bills with three groups in each one of them. In these bills the principle of classification of commodities Is aban- doned, and every item given a rate for it's own use, without regard to where 1t has in the past been placed by rate-mak- ing associations.
 It is thought that the idea in the meas ures is the removal from the litigation in the federal courts of rate bills that have been held up. The other bills, about which the railroads have complained, have been enjoined. among them being senate No. 16, known as the no commodity act. This bill repeals that act and makes it without force and effect. a result of which will be- it is figured to render the acts now in court void, thereby relieving the state of the duty of fighting further along that line In other words, the bills repealed will be the bills killed, and to take their place will be the acts just sent in.
 Railroads Classified. The new acts classify the railroads into four classes. Tn the first group is the Louisville and Nashville, the Western of Alabama, the Frisco and tho Atlantic Coast line. They may charge per cent advance on the rates in the rate sched- ules. In the second group are the Sea board Air Line, Central of Georgia, At lantic and Birmingham and Nashville, f1.att ttnp charge 20 per cent over the list. The third group takes In the Southern and allied liues the Illinois Central. Mobile, Jack son and Kansas City Chattanooga South ern and the Atlanta, Birmingham and Att lantc. These may charge 25 per cent over the list rates. The fourth group, which may charge 50 per cent over the list, includes the various short lines of the state, most of which are built for lumber service.
 It can be seen that the bill makes a good showing for the Southern and it's connections. Ii is given @ great advan- tage over the Central of Georgia, for in- stance, and there many who say that the Alabama Great Southern, one of the best lines in the state, is lucky to get tlle good showing allowed in it's being rated in the third class, taking 25 per cent over the rates. It Is supposed that fin all cases where possible the Southern Is favored on account of it's putting in the old rates.
 As whole the rates In the bills just sent fin are higher than those of the no commodity measure though there is not great deal of difference. In the place of joint rates the old law took the sum of two locals and 20 per cent off; this one takes the local rates with 10 per cent off them. The railroad com mission has the right to raise or lower any rate in the list by affirmative vote. al n 9P pfg faf lou ft, siton to this are repealed. The new law becomes effective December 1. if it passes.
 Another bill that is far reaching in it's effects increases the powers of the railroad commission in many instances not given in the old bill. It will make 1t possible for the commission to do many things not now within it's power. Bills are also in to provide for penalties for refusing to accept rates made by the state or the commission, making such refusal grounds for damages and in every way safeguarding the state to enforce the new acts and play as far shy of the legal breakers of the past as possible.
 Many Railroad Bills.
 An incident of the session of the leEis- lature was the presentation of 8 large number of bills that have to do with the plan of the governor to further control railroads. They provide penalties for putting off passengers who offer the statutory rates, for refusing to accept rates prescribed for freight and giving power to the state in so far as the legislature is able to carry out every plan laid down so far to reduce rates and control traffic charges
 The house committee reported favor ably on the Lill to make prohibition a constitutional provision, though MT. Goodwin protested that snap judgment had been taken on those members of the committee which had not been specially in favor of the idea. The bill provides for a vote at the next general assembly on an amendment
 Bills were presented in both houses to give the chancellor of the southwest ern division s4500. the same as others. this having failed by an oversight at the last session. Bills to put off the time for paying taxes to March go were presented; also 10 have all real estate transfers recorded.
 To Enforce Prohibition.
 Speaker Carmichael has bill to gvs the governor the power to punish vio- lators of the prohibition laws and to prevent the sale of liquors in clubs if the state should become prohibition.
 The delinquent children bill seems to be in danger because of the negro. It provides against sending any child to 1Hll WHO IS unuef lt years. It IS Sdld that in the black belt 1t is impossible to keep the negroes from stealing, and they are getting beyond control because they know they do not have to go to the penitentiary. It Is even said they are encouraged by parents to violate the laws
 The senate had a number of railroad bills, chief of which were number to classify lines and fix minimum rates. The cotton seed meal law was the sub ject of a senate bill, it being desired to make 7ls per cent ammonia standard, common and below that low grade All can be sold for fertilizer if tagged with the amount of ammonia.
 Gray In Birmingham.
 Because of urgent business in Birming- ham Lieutenant Governor Gray was no,