The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-01
COMER NOT COWED Is DETERMINED TO
 MAINTAIN RIGHTS Governor Arrives In Birming- ham Ready to Meet His CounSelIorS smerroW MAY ISSUE STATEMENT
 AFTER THE CONFERENCE Leaves For Washington Wednesday To Attend Rivers and Harbors
 Congress, But Will Return
 Next Friday.


 and Nashville and Central of Georgia
 railroads. the governor of Alabama came to Birmingham last night The governor made no statement con- | cerning the action of the railroads in | petitioning for injunctions against the l enforcement of the laws passed by the l legislature in the recent extraordinary | session, nor did he venture predic- l tion as to the ultimate conclusion of l the common carriers strife with the state of Alabama. The governor did not state that he was not surprised when the railroads, refusing to abide I by the laws of the state, again flew to arms.
 But he comes to Birmingham to pre- pare himself for the fight in the fed | eral court. Governor Conner will be | in conference with the attorneys of | the state in Birmingham Monday At 1 the conclusion of the session, if he has i time. he will give out statement over I his own signature
 "You know it will require some time," l the governor said. '"The question is a big one, and demands study. If have time, however, I will issue an in- teryiew. In case the interview is issued, it will be over my signature. No, I have no statement to make. There is none that could be made, in fact. Monday I will consult with the lawyers in the service of the state, and we will formulate some plan or method of bringing about peace, and state of affairs in which Alabama will rule in Alabama. and have general jurisdiction and supervision over matters ~apper- taining to Alabama
 Just what plan the governor has in mind, is, of course, unknown. But from the determined expressions on his face, and the short, snappy statements dropped from his lips, it was easy to infer that he was imbued with the never say die' spirit. It is easy to predict that at the proper time he will be ready with the states answer, and i in case the railroads succeed in evad- ing the laws of the late legislature, he will carry out his oft-repeated affrma- tion that if necessary he will call oth CT sessions of the law makers. There are two or three bills bearing on the railroad situation which the governor has not as yet signed. To these he will affx his signature Tues day morning. on his return to Mont gomery. He has until that time to pass upon the measures in question:
 The status of the situation is that all the laws of the extra session bearing on railroad rates, have been "held up'' on a restraining order of the United States court. This was done on appli- cation of the Central Trust company of New York, directed to the officers of the Central of Georgia and of the Louisville and Nashville railroads, seeking an extension of the injunction restraining the effect of the old rate laws so that the new rates would also be "held up." Return will be made by the state between December 15 and 20. after which Judge Thomas G. Jones. presiding, will determine whether or not an injunction "pendente lite' will issue for a general review of the rates and regulations
 When the railroads in question again ap- pealed to the federal courts, Governor Conner was in Barbour county, his ior- mer home, on a hunting trip. lmmeoiate- ly after the action of the railroads the governor returned to Montgomery, de- clined to make a statement, and rapidly took in the situation. An appeal to the federal court gained a postponement of the original date of the states return from Monday, December g. to some date between December 15 and 20. After gain ing this extension of time the governor repaired to Birmingham for consulta- ton with his lawyers.
 Asked concerning the matter, Governor Conner stated that he had heard nothing of the reported resignation from the ser vice of the state of Judge R. H. Walker of Huntsville, who has done yeoman ser vice together with the other attorneys of the state in the curernt regulation of the railroads.
 "Other than the reports published in the newspapers" the governor stated, T have heard nothing of Judge Walkers retirement from the, service of the state. I would be glad if you would state that fact for me-
 1T also wish to correct the false rumor to the effect that the state of Alabama has employed President Boyd of the Ken- lucky railroad commission as counselor. This rumor does President Boyd a great injustice. Of course. it is unfounded. Boyd has been consulted by the state of ficials in reference to the railroad ques- tions, and he has done the state good service, but as far as his being employed as a state counsellor. there is absolutely no truth in the rumor. As I stated, it does the gentleman an Injustice"
 It is remembered that member of the Kentucky railroad commission was re- gently in Birmingham in consultation with members of the Alabama railroad com- mission. At that time 1t was stated that MT. Boyd. inasmuch as Kentucky has gone through the same state of unrest as is existing in Alabama at present, shad given some advice from his experience. From that fact, the rumor originated that he had entered the service of this state.
 In the short interview with the gov- ernor, he stated that he would attend the National Rivers and Harbors con- gress in Washington, December {, and G. After consulting with the states att :. torneys in Birmingham Monday, the gov ernor will return to Montgomery Tues- day, on which day he will sign several