The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
Did Not Invite the Governor to
 Insult Him
THE MOBILE DEPOT CASE
Louisville and Nashville Seeks to Re- strain Enforcement of State Rail road Commissions Recent Or
 der-Hosptal Investigation.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD

BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.
 Montgomery. July O.-(special)-The outcome of the unfortunate session of tho Alabama Press association night before last when Governor Conner left the hall because he felt that he had been insulted. has done John C. Williams of the Talla- dega Mountain Home, an injustice and placed him In the light of having been d party to an agreement to embarrass tbe governor. Such was certainly not the case. Mr. Williams presented his resolu- tions inviting the governor to the meet ing and extending to him the courtesles of the floor in all good faith. believing t due not only the man. for whom he has high regard, but the office as we'll At that time he had no idea of the posslbu- fly of any such resolutions as were pre- sented at night
 While 1t is well established that the determination to offer the resolutions that made trouble was reached on the part of a few members of the association in tha afternoon, it does not seem that there was any sort of a general agreement to this effect, nor Is there evidence to prove that any appreciabe number of the members were concerned in 1t. So far as can now be discovered, there was no intent on ;he part of even the few men who did taks part in the preliminary movement to in- suit the governor and it is likely that there would have been mol incident to look back to with regret If some of the mem- bers nad not taken the remarks of the executive in the nature of an attempt to lecture them It seems to have been mistake in feeling all around
 There Was Argument.
 But the thing that has given this writer most rogret is the impression from his TO- port that Mir. Williams. in the introduce ton of the resolution to invite the gov ernor. is placed in the attitude of having agreed with others to develop a situation out of which the governor might be en- barrassed. While there was an under standing in the afternoon To present the Greer resolutions entered into after 1t was known that the governor was 70 speak, it seems that less than half a dozen men were advised of II. And these. cs- pecially Mir Greer, diselaim any ntentiei to insult the governor or to place him in an embarrassing position. All see now that as it turned out they were untimely: as all agree that they should, in the reg lildI ulutIs nave gone 10 iilt TRNpiulloU3 committee without discussion. That tho constitutional provision to this effect was inadvertently violated may be laid the unpeasantness that did come up
 Governor Conner does not seem to De able to talk long without rasping some one. In the earnestness with which he goes into discussion he often says things that eut to the quie,l. He had spoken in public and private on various occa- sons in rather irritating. and at times what seemed irritated way. of the news paper men taking passes, and while no doubt not meant in that way, had made 1t appear as if he thought they could not ac- cept such favors and yet be free to write and print what is best for the goodi of the country These expressions has been discussed by the members of the asso- citation from time to time until some were sore. as was plainly shown in the address of President Neil Hence the situation was loaded. and 1t took only little more of the kind of talk to set 1t off.
 No Conspiracy.
 But after calm thought and a delib- crate look into the situation one is fully justified fin the conclusion that there was no desire on the part of the Press association 10 commit an act of discourtesy, and no conspiracy to embarrass the governor, even if two or three did draw up and agree before hand to present the resolution. Presi- dent Doster called on Governor Conner yesterday afternoon and talked the stt- nation oyer He was very sorry that the affair had taken the shape it had, and. for the association as while. emphatically stated that no one would for a moment desire 10 insult the gov ernor. So 1t looks like Il was more a case of inadVertent happening than Intent 10 be discourteous. Everybody Is sorry and everybody who offended anybody else would explain Willingly and have a restoration of good feel ing. which, 1t seems will certainly fol- low.
 Mobile Depot Case.
 The Louisville and Nashville rail- road has asked for an injunction to re- strain execution of the order of the state railroad commission that they enter the new union depot at Mobile. It is asserted that 1t would entail great hardship and loss to occupy the depot and also force the line to build six thousand feet over the tracks of other roads. entailing losses and possible complications. and be very costly. It is also alleged that other roads in Mo- bile have not been ordered to go in
 The papers are filed in the United States court before Judge Thomas c. Jones. who has set down next Satur- day for the hearing. At that time the state will have to answer by the pres- dent of the railroad commission and the attorney general The papers are filed by Gregory l., Smith and George W. Jones. attorneys of the road.
 Cavalry Encampment.
 The cavalry squadron of the state has been called to camp at Montgomery for the week beginning August 5. The com mander is Major Ben Noble of this city There are troops at Montgomery Birm- ingham, Selma and Camden. The camp ground will be at Pickett Springs.
 In a report made by the board of equal ization it Is shown that the county tax valuations have been raised nearly two millions to almost $2S,000,00o. There was much kicking but in the end the raises have stuck and the values will likely ga higher next time Montgomery had be- fore that time very high range of values.
 Governor Conner is at Troy, where hs