The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-30
HOUSE GETS BUSY
ON RAILROAD BILL
Two and Half Cent Fare Meas
ure Reported FavOrabIy
LOBBY BILL NOT POPULAR
May Have Hard Sailing In Both
Branches of the Legislature.
House Will Hold Two
Sessions Daily.

Montgomery, January 29.-(Speciai)-
The house evidenced its disposition to get
busy with the senate and reported the
21a-cent fare bill by its committee on
commerce and common carriers, favora-
bly, today. and it has gone to the cal
endar for prompt action. This is the
first of the railroad bills to be hurried
through both houses by agreement so
that other legislation can be taken up,
There was little business In the house
today, the time being taken up with
hearing committee reports and the call
of the counties for new bills Adjourn
ment at noon also cut off what might
have run into a lively session as there
was on the calendar for the first thing
the famous John lobby bill. that is ex-
pected TO have such a lard time reach
ing the goal of law However this side
of the assembly has made up its mind
to hold two sessions a day and 1t will be
able to get along much faster. Local
bills will be worked off at the afternoon
sessions.
The house committee on mining and
manufactures has asked that 500 copies
of the child labor bill be printed to give
the members a chance to study 1t.
Lobby Bill.
1t is understood that the lobby bill is
to have rather hard sailing 1t is not
popular with the members of either
house, it is said, and there are many who
are claiming that the senate will not
pass it. A member of the senate said
Il am not at all sure l will support the
bill, though it is a platform measure. Ii
looks to me too much like it was a con-
fession that we are not honest and have
to provide some means to keep watch
over us. However, it Is a fact that we
need something to prevent attempts TO
unduly influence legislation, and | guess
we will be able to get some sort of
good law out of the discussion"
The bill is having some opposition in
the house. Mr.. Tunstall and others, 1t s
understood, will fight 1t as drawn, though
Mr.. Tunstall was a member of the COM
mittee reporting it. 1t is regarded as
too drastic and productive of harm to
real interests. Many will hold back from
supporting It as it is drawn, but would
II 1t We're amended to take out some OF
the exacting features.
Afternoon Session.
At the first afternoon session of the
house today a number of important local
bills were acted upon and passed. Here
after the house, in accordance with reso-
buttons passed, will hold two sessions
daily General bills will be considered at
the morning session and local bills at the
afternoon session. The following are
among some of the important local bills
acted upon in the session:
A bill by Mr. Weaver to repeal an act
entitled an act to authorize the Blount
county p1iaqiDnarqt IN
tax for working the public roads of
Blount county
A bill was passed which will regulate
the trial and proceedings in criminal cases
for violation of the special or local pro-
hibition laws In Bibb county.
Bill introduced by Mr.. Smith to estab
fish Lee county court of equity was
passed.
Mr.. Urquehart was called to the chair
by Speaker Martin and presided over
good part of the session. The bill intro
duced by Mr.. Cooper was passed.
To repeal an act to chanNs the court
of county commissioners of Calhoun coun-
ty and appoint a president of the board
to relieve the probate Judge of the duties
connected with the hoard.
Bills Introduced.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Lee to pro-
hiblt the sale of liquor in Etowah coun-
ty outside of Gadsden and Alfalfa was
passed.
The bill to provide for the establish
ment of dispensaries in towns and cities
in Gilmore county was passed.
The senate committee on corporations
has voted recommending favorably a bill
to domestcate all foreign corporations
doing business in Alabama. Mr.. Lusk
of Marshall is the author of the bill
The senate committee on local legisla-
ton has voted to recommend favorably
a bill to make the Judges of Montgomery
county courts elective.
Mr.. Pitts of Dallas. by request intro
duced a bill in the house this afternoon
to enlarge the state library.
The house committee agriculture
has decided to report favorably the Nc
MILAN bill. providing for the creation
of state department to be connected
with the agricultural department to
make analysis of the soils of Alabama.