The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-04-25
.HOBSON ENTHUSED
 OVER COMING TOUR
Thinks Lectures by Experts
 Will Do Much Good
LECTURES AT JEFFERSON
Thinks Japan Is Seeking Excuse tt Seize the ppines-Talks of the New Cruiser Bir-
 mingham.

 rived in Birmingham yesterday morning from Washington for the purpose of de- liverine a lecture under the auspices of the letter carriers and postal clerks of the city and to make preliminary arrange ments for an educational campaign in his district which will begin on May G. Captain Hobson talked most enthusiastic cally of his coming educational tour but before taking this question up he fspoke of the new warship which is to be named. after the metropolis of Ala bama
 1 am glad to see so much interest manifested in Birmingham over the crui- ser which will be named after this city" he said, "and l am sure that the people of Birmingham will take great pride in this vessel when 1t gets In commission. You say that many have an idea that a cruiser is an insignificant vessel, but this Is not the case. A cruiser Is merely not so heavily armored as q battleship but | is fully as important in war. The United States cruisers played very important part In the Spanish-American war, and an indispensable adjunct to great navy. of which it is well known I am q most earnest advocate.
 My reasons for having a great navy, | however" continued the captain, "are not l for warlike purposes, but for the main l tenance of peace. That idea 1 bring out | fully in my lecture on Peace and Prog ress,' which has been presented to the public"
 Decres Railroad Action. i Captain Hobson then diverted to polit- ical and legislative subjects, first touch 1 ing upon the acts of the Alabama legis- lature in passing laws regulating rail- ways and financial matters. He decried in emphatic terms the action of the rail- roads in enjoining the passenger rate law 1 and declared that the railroads must deal with the people and are wrong in fighting this legislation
 Public sentiment has been aroused by | the Hartman disclosures and other re- cent railway investigations" he said, and has not been allayed by the attitude of the railroads toward legislation. I think it is dangerous for the railroads to take such decided action against legislation, particularly in Alabama, and continued | action of this kin. will result in the | calamity of government ownership. A wise policy can be pursued which will | result in more amlcable relations between the railroads and the people" Captain Hobson discussed political af- fairs briefly and gave as his opinion i that Bryan and Roosevelt would again face each other as presidential candi- dates.
 To Make Tour of District.
 The subject upon which the congress- man was most enthusiastic, however, was l the tour of his district upon which he l will soon enter
 The coming trip is to be made through the nine counties of the Sixth congress sonal district by Congressman Hobson | and his party of five government ex- petts and 1t Is arousing much interest throughout the district and state. Two additional experts have been se- cured since the first announcement of the proposed trip was made, the list of experts now including Dr. J. A. Bonsteel. rom the bureau of soils; Sam c. Lam caster, from the office of public roads; William l.. Hall, from the office.o forest products; R. S. Wilson, from the bureau of plant industry. expert on the cultiva- tion of cotton. There will be also an
 
 who will not accompany the party. but who will take up the work of investigat- ing the matter of establishing rural free delivery routes.
 W!l Be in Charge of Party.
 Congressman Hobson who will be in charge of the party, will devote the main portion of hls discourses to educational ma tiers, and to interesting the citizens of each county In taking advantage of the offer of the state of Alabama of 5000 to each county, the county to raise a like amount, and Congressman Hobson has a plan by which he hopes to secure an additional 5000 for each county, thus giving each county 5000 for the building of new school houses. In this way a county can build five six new school houses, costing from $500 to $500 each.
 Congressman Hobson is also arranging for the inspector from the postoffice de- partment to take up the matter of lay ing out the counties for rural free de- livery routes. and the inspector will meet with the county commissioners and board of public works of the various counties. also with any and all private citizens interested in this matter and arrange for the most effective way of Accomplishing this work. The inspector will begin at Tuscaloosa on Saturday, May 4 when he will meet those mentioned above, to in- augurate this movement in Tuscaloosa county.
 Those who are interested in this work may If they desire secure blanks for same now by applying to Edgar l.. Clark son, Tuscaloosa secretary to Congress- man Hobson. Those interested in the stocking of streams. etc, with fish, can secure blanks from the secretary also.