The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-08
Conner Holds Conferences With With Representatives of the
 Southern Railroad
STRONG PROBABILITY
 FOR A SETTLEMENT
Governor Conner States His Position In Reference to the New Law Passed by the Legislature.
 Must Be Enforced.

Montgomery, August 7.-tspeclal )-From the tenor of an interview given out to- day 1t is gathered that Governor Conner looks for conflict of the courts in the state With regard to the 21R cent fare act. now restrained by the United States court. he said: Every time a ticket is sold for more than 215 cents a mile the railroads violate the law and the person selling the ticket commits a misde- meanor. It is the duty of every court to so charge the jury and the duty of every solicitor to make out a case"
 This would mean nothing less than con f1ict While it is held that no court can restrain criminal proceeding there is a provision that it may do if to let it go along there would be loss of property that could not be made up after the final de- clsion is reached. The governor then continues his very significant remarks as follows: 'The laws are made for all alike and to be observed by all and en- forced by the administration impartially"
 Hope for Agreement.
 There is, however, a strong possibility of settlement between the state of Ala bama and the railroads of all quo>sions at variance arising out of the recent laws passed by the Alabama legislature regu- lating freight and passenger rates and the obtaining by the railroads of njunc- tions in the leueral court enjoining their enforcement.
 As stated already, conference was held yesterday morning between Cover nor Conner and Colonel Russell, vice pres ident of the Southern railway, regarding the revocation by the state of the license of the Southern railway on account of it's removal of case from the circuit court of Talladega county to the federal court In violation of a statute of Alabama At this conference tentative proposals were made and the situation discussed with a view to friendly settlement by Cover nor Conner and Colonel Russell
 The propositions made were immediately taken up by the railroad with President Finley and the board of directors, and A telegraphic correspondence has been going on between the Southern railroad off cials in Montgomery and in New York
 Conner Talks.
 Governor Conner, when seen and asked If there were any new developments in the situation, said:
 ''I have not had any further confer ences with Colonel Russell or MT. Thomp- son of the Southern but I may see the,u during the day and will be pleased to see them at any time with view of making satisfactory adjustment Of all differ ences l understand that Colonel Russell is now in telegraphc communication with officials of his road in New York.
 Regarding the removal of the suit from the circuit court of Talladega coun- ty the administration understands that the onense was committed against the state laws by the removal of the suit re- - gardless of the motive prompting 1t. The laws are made for all alike and to be ob- served by all and enforced by the admin istration impartially
 ''The state is willing to meet the rail roads with view to adjustment on terms of broad equity This the people of Alabama want and this they are en- titled to and shall have. The states of Virginia and West Virginia have enact- cd two-cent passenger rate, the state of North Carolina a two and a quarter cent rate and the state of Arkansas a two-cent rate. All of these rates have been acceded to and the state of Ala bama, whose new rate is two and half cents should have it granted by tue roads without question.
 Tn regard to the freight schedule we are simply asking for the same classti- cation and the same rates on only d part of the articles given in Georgia, Virginia and Carolina and we are op- posed to the railroads changing the clas- sfication and rates soon as freight crosses the Alabama line to higher stan dards.
 Must Obey the Law.
 ''I expect another conference with the railroad people, but l have told Colonel Russell that with his reputation for fair ness, l shall expect him to realize and concede that the railroads must obey the laws the same as any other person or citizen. The state stands always ready to protect the roads and likewise I con sider 1t my duty to protect the people.
 Every time a ticket is sold for more than 21a cents a mile the railroads vio- late the law and the person selling the ticket commits misdemeanor. It is the duty of every court to so charge the jury and the duty of every solicitor to make out a case.
 ''I trust that the result of the con ferences will be to remove all friction between the people and the railroads"
 It Is said by representatives at the cap itol today that the legislature almost to man stand ready on their being called together in extra session, to pass such enabling acts as will carry out the recent statutes enacted regulating railroad charges in Alabama.
 Colonel Russell Talks.
 Col E. L. Russell. vice president of tho Mobile and Ohio, who is lending his ef- forts to the settlement of the controversy between the Southern railway and the state made plan his attitude O the stua- ton in the following statement: T have \ said to my people that I will have part f in no movement to embarrass my state Tor bring it's laws into discredit. First of 4all I am an Alabamian; a patriotic cit Hzen, who stands at all times for it's honor Apd good name I am inclined to believe tAat when the whole situation Is under skbod we shall be able to reach un- aASnfanding that will be pleasing to all"