The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-14
Expenditure of $5O,OOO is
 Considered Useless
STATE RAILROAD LITIGATION
May Be a Long Struggle In the Courts. Pratt Presents Local School Tax Measure-Governor
 Signs Bills.
BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.

BY HERVEY w. LAIRD.
 Montgomery, July 1S.-(special)-It is understood from what seems a reliable source that there will be big fight made to prevent the appropriation of s5OOO5 for the defense of the suits filed by the railroads against the state, the tip being that the contest will be sprung in the senate, 1t is not expected that the move ment will be defeated but the outlook is very good for trouble.
 Very likely the opposition to the ap- proprlation will be backed by what is known as the Thomas wiEg of the upper house crowd, with either Teasley or Blackmon in the lead. It is reported that the argument will be made that it is use less to pay out big money for attorneys when the state has an attorney general all ready, also that there is no use for so large an amount However, better posted men predict that the bill will pass in beth houses and be signed even though there is protest.
 There are four bills about which there is a contest as follows: To make the freight rates in force the first Of last January the maximum rates for all times; to fix actual charges on 11O commodities of com mon use; to reduce passenger fare from three to two and a half cents, and to annul the license automatically of any corporation that takes a suit from state to a federal court. Ten rcads have en- joined all the laws save the first named two, the Louisville and Nashville and the South and North, all of them. All are combined in the fight to have them declared unconstitutional, alleging that they are conhscatory.
 Long Drawn Out.
 The cases are expected to drag the,f weary way along. Chairman Henderson of the railroad commission, which is made defendant in the cause in the courts, along with ether state 5facers, would not be surprised if the litigation ran well into the end of the term of Governor Conner or even after that; others hope for quicker action, but few really think if will be had. Tue trials must come from the circuit court, over which Judge Thomas G. Jones presides. If the rail lines fail there it will 30 to the court of appeals. and from there td the supreme court of the United States.
 The legislature has endeavored to eimi- nate one or two things from the laws that have caused charges of upfairness. Chief of these is the provision that the railroad commission may raise as well as lower rates, a privilege 1t dlc not have un6er the old law. It is also in- timated that there may he some other minor changes where there seems to be injustice done. However, the state and the governor are t. fight it out along the line that the state has the right to regulate it's commerce and it is not the business of the United States court.
 Refurnshine the Capitol.
 There is a sentiment for capitol inn provement in the legislature that many hope will be dominant to the extent of having the left wing put on at an early date Many members call it lop- sided AIS 1t is now and take the posi- ton that it should be finished as short lv as it car be taken up. In line with this idea the house appropriations com- mittee lias agreed to report favora- Llv a bill to set aside $15,000 for re- furnishing throughC cut, that the of
  filing cases and fire proofing vaults to care for the many valuable papers and books.
 The house judiciary committee has ,agreed to report faVoraDly on the new ' code bill and report, which will be taken up at once, so that it can be pW through. The members will have the advice of the men wno read the new code as well as the code commissioner and it Is not thought there will be much trouble to have the new code ac- cepted. Chairman Sam Will John will have charge of the blll Tn the house. he having beer at the head of the com mittee which read ana passed upon 1t.
 Three-MilI Tax.
 Mr. Pratt of the house, from Pick ems has presented a bill to allow the people to vote on the question of a constitutional provision for collecting local tax by districts for schools. This bill is very much sought by the school people and 1t is thought 1t will be passed
 The bin to take a census of the Con federate soldiers will be reported fla vorably by the house appropriations committee, and the house educational committee has agreed to favor the bill for a text book commission. This com mission Is to have member from each of the nine districts with the govern
  of the one now holding.
 Both committee have approved bilT to exempt waterpowers from taxes for ten years which is regarded as as sured of passage.
 A bill has been reported favorably to Increase the quarantine appropriation from s1 5,000 to s25,000 a year. Also a bill will likely pass to pension negro servants of Confederate soldiers who saw actual service. There are about 100 of them in the state.
 Logan Martin Resigns. Montgomery. July 13.-tSpecial. .)-Logan Martin. son of the late Speaker Martin of the house of representatives, has just 3.arrived nome from the West Point Mill tary academy, where he graduated with full honors at the recent commencement exercises.
 Mir. Martin is the first Montgomery man to graduate from West Point in number of years, a distinction of which he may be justly proud He secured permission not to serve in the army, and was mus CONTINUED ON PAGE 2.l