The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-01

We certainly got into trouble over some of UT ventures When financial trouble struck us, we frequently went to the protector of the district. We unbosomed ourselves to him like good Catholic would do his priest; told him our financial troubles, he would in turn go to his directors and would allow us to ship pig iron without pay ing the freight for months.
 rAt other times, when a furnace plant found that 1t neded more money, he would furnish from $50,o0O to $100.- 900 utnil 1t could be paid back. At other times he would take part of an issue of bonds. He was always ready to do anything that was reasonable to aid in creating tonnage. which meant money to the district and freight for his road.
 Railroads Affect all Property. Tt now seems hard that this dis trict should sit tamely by and see this grand railroad hammered and crippled by our lawmakers in Montgomery with out raising our voices in protest Without railroads we would dry up like wet weather spring, and if they are crippled and their credit impaired by adverse legislation. we will be hurt just in proportion that the railroads are. ~
 All property. whether belonging to corporations or individuals, will go down In the same ratio with that of the railroad companies. The view that take of the railroad is, that they are part of our property and should be kept in the highest state of preserva- ton and efficiency, that we may use them for many times the amount of tonnage now being transported by them.
 There are few of us. and indeed T Cell IL to exchange our investments for that of railroad property, and certainly the proposition would not be entertained if we further put the railroads in a straight jacket by shutting the door of the courts to them, and thus denying them the right of appeal to a tribunal that he humblest individual in the land has now the right to.
 "The legislature, at its last session, has injured us millions of dollars. The work of the pay roll builders is at an end until confidence is restored and reaction sets in.
 "As an individual feel that my life's work opening new properties is ended, for by the time the financial distrust rolls by, will be too old for the hard ships of a pioneer.
 "When the Legislature meets in re- sponse to the Governors call for an
 extra session. 1t is to be hoped that each member will think for himself,
 and do nothing that will further crip-
 pIe us.
 "This district is unlike some parts of the State that have little other than
 cotton to ship once a year. We have
 . large tonnage that has to move daily
 hence we are vitally interested in what the Legislature may do at its cai.css
 session.
 Its Effect on Birmingham.
 "The citizens of Birmingham have large ideas. They have laid off end planned for a Greater Birmingham; its size is about equal to a Texas ranch We have built and created industries the pay rolls of which are sufficient ta care for the present population. With continued advarse legislation. there
 will come feeling of distrust that will stop the flow of money into the
 State and without money from othe- States. ask the question, how are ~e to support and populate the Texas
 ranch that we have laid off as Great CT Birmingham?
 'This thing looks ugly Co mo. The
 national agitation. coupled with what our own State government is doing
 is a frightful thing for us to coa- template.
 For months cotton goods have been selling at a price based on fifteen cent l cotton, and had 1t not been For the unwise agitation, both North aud South | as to how properties should be n95 aged and operated IS corpora tions, we | would be in a dourishing ccndit'en and there would be ro fear for iht l forthcoming of money Tor any req | meritorious enterprise.
 aThe price of cotton goods is an af- | fidavit from the splnners that they were to pay fifteen cents per pound for l cotton this year. and were it not fOE
 this political agitation, the farmers would be receiving fifteen cents fGr l their cotton today. It has cost the South more than two hundred mit;teN dollars which the cotton crop would
 have brought in excess of the price Y | Is now bringing. "I am of the opinion that it would have been cheaper for the BirmlngnaH | district to have assumed 70 pay the entire taxes of the State. thaa to have l had this war upon capital brougni
 about. If we had been let alone for | fifteen years, the taxable property e.
 this district would have been equal i'
 the balance of the State as It IS t"'
 day.
 Note of Warning. ..This letter is not written in an | improper spirit, but as note of warn ing to the people of Alabama and a request for their aid in the great trou- | ble which is about to visit ds If we do not call halt.
 that this is the first time in thirty years that I have attempted to discuss l a political question. and l would not | do it now but for the great interest | that I feel in our people and our State.
 q am deeply attached to Birming- | ham. and I want to see it grow and
 prosper as it was originally intended, a
 greater city than Pittsburg, and 1t | makes me nervous to see set of poll | ticians undertake to tear down, or
 even retard the growth of that which
 we have worked so faithfully to build
 It is well understood that we have coal, ore and limestone largely in ex-
 cess of the amount that is needed 10
 feed the plants at Pittsburg. The wa
 ter is simply a matter that money can
 supply from the Coosa or Tennessee
 Rivers. So it leaves but the one thing
 to enable us to get as great produc-
 ing power as Pittsburg.
 The one grand thing lacking IS con
 fdence. With confidence. money Will
 come to us in large sums. and as each
 year passes by. there will De more 1 and greater amounts of 1t flowing into | Birmingham.
 has had some great men. but no native | or adopted son of Alabama mas ever
 done much good for this State IS ne
 has. and he is willing to continue this
 policy of building up Alabama pro
 ytded capital invested in railroads 4s | given the same care and protection as
 is given to that of individuals. |