The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-10


 the state should be so arranged as to give the business interests of the state an equal opportunity to manufacture prod ucts of the state within the state, and also enable the producers of the state to ship the products of the state to the consumers within the state. These divine rights are of the ut most economic advantage and are unnecessarily and absolutely ignored, and the freight tax as made by the public service corporations on the business inter ests of the state by a combination to prevent competition amounts to virtual absolute control of the transportation Of the state, and to secure this condition for all time they, by their own admission, have cast around our laws and the legal processes of the state, environments forged for their interests, and practically defy our laws and refuse to give atten- tion to our reasonable demands; refuse our laws even fair trial and fair exc cution. And when you come to consider the effect of those environments they have forged and are forging around your business interests, 1t would look as 1T they had confidence in your long suffering. the length of which would appear intol- erable and impossible to Anglo Saxons.
 Watered Security.
 The railroads are now paying interest on millions of watered securities, much of which has recently been added to their interest bearing charges. The Louisville and Nashville railroad is paying inter est on sixty million more stock then they were few years ago. The Southern and Central railroads have awakened mil lions of dormant securities ard are now paying interests on them. The Coast Line has added many millions to their outstanding stock. All the railroads have a ,t,,ff ar,5 frttr iftyin with dividends now hold them as in the hands of innocent purchasers and bound under the general generic of the cost of reproducing.
 The fourteenth amendment, forged in1- mediately after the war in partisan wrath to enslave the southern whites and make the negro doElinant, now mis- used by corrupt corporalI)n trusts to col feet from the industries of ths people tax equal to what the raffc will stand; the last rendering and use of this amend ment, more lasting, more dangerous and enslaving than the first
 Court Proceedings.
 The prospects are that the court pro ceedings will consume years, and the vibrations in the air word the expecta- tions of the railroads that these great measures of yours which carry out the just demands of the people and the just expectations of the state and which should be used to upbuild the state, will be tied up for years. Every phase of the case. long continued, thoroughly understood, merted and should have had, as laid down by Justice Brewer, through all equity, a fair trial.
 Not only have the railroads enjoined this legislation, but they have gone fur ther and demanded through the courts an injunction against the dominance of the state and the states control of any measure limiting their charges. In other words, the railroads have used all these years your laws, which they admit are the most generous to them Of any state through which they run, and by which they have acquired a great prop erty, built in the largest measure at the expense of the people of the state. and they now say that they are not pubic service corporations, but independent property, entirely out of your control and limitations, and that their conduct in your state is subject only to federal laws. and they ignore your laws. Tl,is, if continued and established, will be dc structve of the highest principles of state dominance, and will Dc very dang erous to every property interest of the state
 Expense of Litigation.
 I have employed, as your bill allows, attorneys of the highest character and ability who are associated with tfe at- torney general, and are now .ngaged in the case. The expense of this litigation you will have to meet In the most liberal way, and it is your higaest duty to have made most searching investigation, going to the very root of their business, their conduct and their methods; not in an inmical way but to secure information for your own self protection. Not only is there involved in this suit the busi- ness interests of the state. but also your prestige and state rights, and every citi- zen should feel the danger, and should join In with you to secure these just demands fru.4 the public twice corpora tions.
 State Depositorles.
 You have passed a state depository bill, taking the large amount of money. more than two millions. wh.cl our state treasury had locked up. aud placed at work with our banks, taking security for same in our state ponds.
 I would suggest that yoI provide and have the people vote at the next election for an amendment to our constitution which would allow the state to let this money out to the hanks on the same security but at interest. There 'c TO reason why the state should not bene- fit by this dep sit. With tle lnGuey thus gained. It you'd help you In this establishment of your schools, or other institutions of the state.
 Biennial Sessions.
 I would suggest that you provide 10 have the people vote at the next cleo tion for an amendment to our constitution which will provide for biennial sessions of the legislature. I our years Is long time between the people and 'hc law makers. It seems to me entirely too long to properly care for thei- safety and interests.
 Compulsory Education.
 You have made generous provision for the public schools. You should put in process a propaganda to secure attend ance. This expenditure IS for an organ ization of the forces of the state for the great civic and commercial struggles Of the future. If there Is any parent so unnatural as not to give his child the advantages of the great hNetalty of the state. then the state itself for the benefit and the welfare of the child, and the welfare of the state should oonscribe enlistment and attendance.
 High School.
 I would recommend that you ma ke provision for the establishment of high schools in those CD r'it,e5 ..f the ..a te which at pras,le have no s.ate sthocl: leaving the eA lcu,1n of slme In a>tsar' 2 until it Is denonstrnie1 that the funds of the stayc Will fnlf.l the ex;"hse.
 Child Labor.
 It is just and right that you should pro- vide ai effective method for enforcing the : child labor law. This ccul1 easily be done by empowering the inspector of cot