The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-02-04
RAILROADS BEGIN
 ID TAKE NOTICE Growing Irritation to Fight
 Damage Suit Laws MAY RESORT ID COURTS. Two Bills Dlslked More Than Rate Measures Are Employers Liability Act and Placing Burden of
 Proof on Roads.
MAY RESORT 10 COURTS.

Montgomery. February 3.-(Special.)- That the railroads are beginning to sit up and take notice of the present legis- lature was never more apparent than to- night. when 1t is rumored that there will be a resort to the courts before the com- mon carriers will allow bills now pending 10 become laws At least two men in po- sltion to know say that there is growing up a determination to light if the shoe is made to pinch too tight. The irritation arises more, 1t seems. from the efforts to make damage suit laws than from the opposition to the rate and regulation measures
 Two Bills Dlsliked.
 Two bills to this effect arc particularly dislllSed by the railroads, and they open ly assert that the passage of them would almost certainly force court resistance to the more important propositions. These are the employers liability act, in the senate. and the house bill placing the burden of proof on railroads fin the killing of persons and of stock outside of cross ings and towns.
 The assertion is made that such laws would cost the railroads more than even the rate reduction bills. as it would place them at the mercy of the juries in every case brought.
 Officials Arrive
 Among the early arrivals are Milton H. Smith, Col II. l.. Stone. president and counsel of the Louisville and Nashville. who are consulting with local officers. and will probably be heard by the house committee on commerce and common car nib nfh come in tomorrow and Tuesday.
 Of interest to them Is the fact that the bill to increase the powers of the rail road commission and the demurrage measure will be up in the senate this week. and all these so far passed by the senate up in the house.
 AntiRallroad Week.
 All in all, 1t promises to be an ant- railroad week, during which all the meas ures advocated by Governor Conner will be passed by one or both houses.
 The two and a one-half cent fare bill will get back to the legislature during the week also. that it may be so amend ed, as 1t is regarded as practically im- possible in it's present shape. They arc two ways to bring this about, one a re- call by joint session, and the other a return with amendment proposed by the executive. In the first case the solons could change 1t as they please; In tho latter they accept reject the amend ment only, which makes 1t safe predict ing that the bill will be recalled.
 It may be said with truth that while the administration is favorable to a fare reduction, the present bill was never seen by the governor before presentation to tile law makers.
 Tag Tax Question.
 The tag tax question and the school house proposition promise to be worked out together, according to plans now making, and said to be approved by the governor The idea is to give the $6,Oo0 for the school houses from the tag fund. thus appeasng the demand that this money go back to the farmers who pay 1t and provide for Auburn from the gem eral fund. This will leave ample for even increased appropriation for the agrieul- tIral schools. The report is that when discussed with the governor. he expressed approval. one of the men backing the plan being Senator Reynolds of Bibb.
 Mobile Trip.
 The house will be forced to speak out OF the Mobile trip It is understood that the rules committee will report the in- Vitation tomorrow without advice and push to a vote. The facts seem to be that most of the members are anxious to go.
 Game Bill
 One hears that the senate will walk about on the game bill recently passed by the house Leader Lusk has q hatful Of amendments to offer that will pretty near lg put it to the bad If they are adopted. However there Is strong sentiment for the measure that will likely carry 1t to passage
 Anti-Pass.
 R. l.. l.. Mel, president of the Alabama P1 ess association, is here to urge the lower house of the legislature 10 amend the anti-pass bill as 10 exclude the newspapers. He will enter a protest, If he fails and carry the case 10 the courts. The senate committee on temperance has voted to report the Colbert county dispensary bill as 1t passed the house. \ hard fight was made by Sheffield to beat