The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-07-21
FINLEY ASKS FOR
 LAWFUL METHODS
President of Southern Railway
 Explains His Position
JUDGE PRITCHARD IS BUSY
Habeas Corpus Proceedings In Case of Wood and Wilson Came Up In Federal Court and Decision Is
 Reserved Until Monday.

Ashevlle, N. C., July 20.-President Fin ley, of the Southern railway, today gave out a formal statement on the railroad cases. MT. Finley after explaining the character of the cases declared such from time to time have been filed in large number of states and have heretofore progressed in an orderly way to final de- termination. He recites how the public is protected by the railroads giving cou- pons to purchasers of tickets covering the difference between the old and new passenger rate fixed by the legislature and the statement is made that the whole case can be disposed of in a few months He further says;
 Tt would seem to be perfectly plain that if an individual or corporation be- leved itself to be in danger of depriva- tion of its property by legslation' it should be allowed the privilege of having the validity of the legislation determined in an orderly method. The Southern rail- way company is bound to protect it's property for it's owners and creditors, and also in the interest of the whole public It has a right and duty to appeal the law for it's protection. It is not even the right or interest of the people of North Carolina that the ability of the transportation companies to perform the public service and to enlarge and in- crease this service shall be destroyed or diminished.
 "It is a contradiction of terms to say of any person or corporation that filing a suit in court and asking for an orderly and judicial determination of every right is itself a violation or defiance of law. If an appeal to a court of Justice is d violation of law, then all our courts should come to an end"
 Habeas Corpus Case.
 Argument in the habeas corpus pro- ceedings brought by J. H. Wood and O. |. Wilson, in the United States cir crit court to secure their release from the sentence imposed on them Thursday by the city police court for violating, as agents of the Southern railway, the state rate law was closed this afternoon and Judge Pritchard announced that as he wished to accompany his decision with a written statement, he would adjourn court until Monday at 10 O clock. The entire day was taken up with arguments by counsel for the petitioners and state, General Counsel Thom of the Southern railway appearing for the former, and Judge J. II. MerrlInon ol thls clty ior lne latter
 Division Counsel Rodman began his argument by asserting the Jurisdiction hau been assumed by the United States court that the agents were selling tick cts under a decree issued by the federal court and the prisoners are unjustly held. | Counsel for the state contended that Po- | lice Justice Reynolds, who sentenced the | prisoners, was acting within his rights anu that the agents should be compelled | to serve their sentences or pay fines. | rule was issued today against J. l Harmon. one of the prosecuting witnesses | in the case against the Southern. citing | h~l to show cause why he should not | be attached for contempt, in falling to ! appear in Justice Reynolds court, and l others were summoned to answer charges I that the indictments were planned in l and issued from a local newspaper office | and that the witnesses were volunteers | Police Justice Ravnnlds. asking permis.