The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-29
DANGER ID BUSINESS
 IN EXTRA SESSION Col. I. C, Bush Thinks Action
 Unnecessary ENTAILS EXTRA EXPENSE All Legislatures Expect That Their Laws Shall Be Passed Upon By Courts, and Railroads Have
 Acted Accordingly.
ENTAILS EXTRA EXPENSE
To the Editor of The Age-HeraId:

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 Much has been said as 10 the proposed extra session of the state legislature. It mi-ht not be amiss to consider briefly the effect of such session and the good, if any, to be accomplished.
 | have no intention whatever to discuss the issue upon which the proposed ac- ton of the state administration is based Doubtless too much has been said already on both sides of the question. It ap- pears that the reason alleged for calling the extra session is that certain railroad Corporations in the state are refusing, or failing, to obey certain laws with ref srence to reduction in freight and pas senger rates, said laws referring to rail- road rates having been enacted by the last legislature, and considered by all of the railroad companies as unreasonable and il furious, not coniiscatory. With that belief all of said railroads resorted to the courts for protection, thus pro- viding for judicial investigation SIS to whether or not the facts would bear them out in the position they had taken. Suits were brought in the United States court involving the constitutionality of tn SC laws, and apparently no one ques- tioned the jurisdiction of the court-all recognizing tht fact that d question of this kind would have to be eventually de- tedrmined by the supreme court of the United States. 1t evidently WAS a matter of choice as to whether the plaintiff should bring suit in the state or United States court. In either event the case would go to the United States supreme court for final adjudication and in all oh, B1f 1iar through the lower United States court than through the state courts.
 1t appears that certain railroad com panies, purely as q matter of policy, and for reasons as set forth in their public Statements yielded to the demands of the state and put in effect certain reduced passenger and commodity rates, pending the decision of the courts. It seems, how ever that other railroad companies con- clu led that it was not best for the prop critics which they represented, to pursue that course but preferred to await the decision of the court-haVing given, in the meantime, bond to indemnify ship pers who should have claims in case the rates provided by the state laws should prove fair and reasonable, and having also provided protection for the purchaser of tickets by providing coupon, which could be collected in case the decision should be favorable to the state
 It appears, therefore, that whatever ac- ton has been taken by the railroad com panies was for the purpose of defending their rights under the law as they under stood it, otherwise their position would not at all be teuable. l will not say what l would have done, as a matter of policy, under the circumstances. but I've must accord to men like those who are in control of the affairs of these railroad companes honesty of purpose and an endeavor, conscientiously, 10 serve best the interests which they represent l do hot believe that they would intentionally and deliberately violate the laws of the state. Of course, the law was made in-