The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-10-24
REVIEWS HIS POSITION
 IN FAMOUS CONFERENCE
History of Development of State by
 Louisville and Nashville.
uo.4 Ha. spent sso,soe.oee ia Baila- ing Branch Lines and HelpInE Industries of Alabama in
 the Fast Twenty
 i've Years.

In an open letter to Governor B. B. Conner, which is no less an appeal to the Governors sense of justice than 1t is to the fairness of the people Of AIabama, President Milton H. Smith. of the Louisville and Nashville. begs him to rescind tho call for an extra session, quiet apprehension and re- store confidence which is so badly im-
 The letter was given out yesterday afternoon shortly sefore President Smith left for his home in Louisville, after spending the day at the Ex- change Hotelf
 smith makes the assurance of the ex- ira session and it's railroad fight doubly sure-
 The letter is a review of the position If Mir. smith as he outlined 1t to, the Governor in the famous conference of Tuesday afternoon. It reviews the his tory of the Louisville and Eashvilie's wide. extensions and development in AJabama.
 Mir. smith outlines the policy of the road which has been followed steadily through the years. policy which con- templated, not the construction of one central trunk line only, but the con- struction of branches as well which should develop the State and serve as feeders for the freight business of the road---a policy. which would open and develop the State and at the same time furnish the traffic for the road.
 He is Responsible. 1 Mir. Smith emphasized the fact that this great investment made since 1882, by which 900 miles of branch roads were ether bought or constructed at a cost of s30.000,o00. was madeupon his advice and recommendations and for them he feels a personal responsibility.
 He takes upon himself all responsf- bility for the development policy which has called for such heavy investment now nnenaced and threatened by the warfare made by the State admfnistra- tfon upon the road. In such circum- stance, Mir. Smith says, he is "discour- aged and disheartened, not to say over- whelmed."
 But it is for the interest of those fnvestments for the future welfare of the State, that the issues raised by the Governor should be finally determined by a judicial decree. Until this was done, there would be no more rail- road building. no more investments in railroads in Alabama, and for that reason the final adjudication of the question vitally affected the welfare of A1abania. To secure this speedy ad- Indication Mr. Smith invited the Gov ernor to rescind his call and join in the efforts made to get an early set clement.
 As to Southern Agreement.
 President Smith does not think high ly of the agreement effected between the Governor and the Southern, Rail- way. He calls the agreement .fNegai, ineffective and enforceable. He sags fo the Governor also, 'sin the ex- edution of the agreement with the Southern and allied lines you assumed or attempted to usurp. the duties nec- essarily devolving upon the Railroad Commission, the Legislature and the courts.''
 He says further of the agreement:
 "Such a settlement or compromise does not settle anything permanently and should not have been considered by either of the parties"
 The letter is filled with the vig6r and candor which has characterized President Smiths public statements on