The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-24
engine and car mileage. is more than


 engine and car mileage. is more than
 Persoasify Rsspon.ibie.
 May add in explanation of my n- sistence that the people of Alabama should. in their own interests, protect and promote the interests of the Louis- vile and Nashville in every reasonable way--should refrain from persecuting or doing anything that VII m any of which is of the greatest importance 10 them--that every dollar of the enor- nous sums invested in constructing branch lines and adding to the property of the Louisville and Nashville Rail. road Company since 1882 has been ex- pended on my individual recommenda- tion and judgment
 .The Board of Directors. which has appropriated the capital and through whom 1t has been obtained, has relied upon my judgment and acted upon my recommendations. Is 1t any wonder, therefore. that Tn addition to my ob- iigations as an officer of the company. I. at this juncture. should be greatly depressed, distressed and discouraged lin fact overwhelmed--by what now appears may be disastrous results to investors who have acted directly or indirectly on my faith In the resources of Alabama and in the fairness and justice of its people7
 You have stated, and on many occa- sfons affirmed. re-affirmed and reiter- ated, that the State of Alabama has been liberal to the railrcads--has act ed conservatively--which statement. is not controverted. Had the drastic and conhscatory bills prepared and pro- noted by the late Captain W. F. Bragg. and introduced simultaneously in both Houses of the Legislature of Ax ,txx.rs II, 1884, been enacted and enforced. can any one believe that would have advised, much less urged. the enor- nous investments by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company? And can any one believe that, had so ad- vised. my advice would have been fol- lowed?
 ' .As stated to you, who is entitled to the credit for the conservatism or the fairness which the State of Alabama has until recently accorded and en- couraged investment in railways and other industriesf You. and many oth- CTS am sure, know that Il. is due to what you term the dominating infiu- ence of the Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company over Legislation af- fecting railways; that this influence has been persistently tand until re- gently successfully exerted in a le- gitimate manner to prevent the enact- ment of unjust and injurious fegisla- tfon--legislation tending to prevent the investment of capital in the construc- tion of railways and allied industries.
 The citizens of Alabama have. there- fore, received in addition to the large investments made. the benefit of the influence which the management has, with the cooperation of the other railways and industrial interests. ex- erted in preventing the enactment and enforcement of suicidal laws.
 Bear in mind that any influence which may have been exercised by the Louisville and Nashville or other rail- way companies to prevent the enact- ment of unjust legislation affecting their interests, has not been so exer- cised to secure the preferment of any one in any way connected with the managements. The officers and em- pIoyers of Railways are not office seek Ing people. Their duties are such that they cannot be efficiently performed by those seeking political preferment
 Other Lines Contrasted.
 Contrast the policy of the Louis- viiie and Nashville with that of other corporations: What is now the Alabama Great Southern Railroad, extending from Chattanooga, Tenn. to Meridian. Miss, and running about a4o miles diagonally across the State of Ala bama, was constructed under great diff faculties. the financial result being dis astrous to the promoters-a large por- ton of the capital lost.
 Unable to meet It's obligations, fore- closure proceedings were instituted and the properly acquired by bond holders who were citizens of other countries, control passing to Baron Err langer, q wealthy banker of Paris l~France, and his associates. Mir. Charles Schiff, one of the associates and joint ownersS came to this country to look after largo Investments in the Alabama Great Southern and other railways, and in time created what was known as the Erlanger System. It Is known that MT. Schiff stated, Smith may build the branches and dexeIop the industries; I will. instead invest the capital in en- zines and carsfto move the product ''The result is that today the Ala hama Great Southern. not having any branch roads. is in position where the drastic legislation of the State of Ala hama cannot very seriously affect it because its revenue derived from intra- state traffic is much less proportion of the total than is that of the Louis vile and Nashville. From an invest I or's standpoint. the foresight of Mir. l Charles Schiff is to be commended How is it when viewed from the standpoint l of the material interests of the citf- gems of Alabama?
 "The Southern Railway is operating