The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-04
OFFICIALS REFUSE ID
 DISCUSS THE SITUATION
1t Is Said That the Railroads May Offer Some Sort of Compromise In View of the Widespread
 Trouble In States.

Montgomery, August 3-(SpeclaI)-. Things are fin stato quo so far as the sls- nation between the state and the South- crn railway is concerned. The railway IS doing business in Alabama without l- eense, and the state is quietly waiting for some officer of the law, as he has a right to do under the act, to make an ar rest. This may happen at any time as tse violation took place on July 30. At that time a case which had been at first resisted in the state court was removed to the federal tribunal. and the act being thug violated. the revocation of license came automatically.
 It is said this afternoon and tonight that the attorneys for the railroads were asleep: that they should have had the act enjoined by the federal courts along with the others now restrained and fought the whole matter out in the courts at the same time. Still others think that the railway company let the ma tier go that way In order to bring the issue to n head that the efficacy of the act might be determined. However. the be- lief Is that It was not the intention u: this time to bring on fight in Alabama. as the Southern, as well as other roads. have had all the trouble they are looking for.
 Situation Complicated. The situation is complicated, and may 1 become more so If the state undertakes to push the outlaw act against the rail- road There is no machineryifor taking care of company thus crippled by legis- lative enactment. A bill providing for it 1Afa fud sn fha many to wonder what the state will ,Io if tho road refuses to abide by the de- clsion Of the authorities. What also will be the outcome if the road refuses to do interstate busiuess2 It Is understood thar 1t could do so and at the same tinle cripple many towns and industries 70 such an extent they would never get over 1t. It has been impossible to get any word from any of the officers of nle Southern with regards to the future
 A message from New York says that the directors will hold a meeting next week to take up the North Carolina and the Alabama cases, but that Is the ex- tent of the information that can be had Governor Conner has gone to Birmingham for two days. but had heard no news from the situation before ne went away. As he will be on the line of the Southern 1t is thought that something may come or his visit to Birmingham An Interesting feature of the talk this afternoon Is that the road Is figuring on acceding to the wishes of the state and getting out of the difficulty as best 1t can. This talk grows out of the idea that with harassing mat ters in North Carolina and Virginia, and incident troubles in other of the southern states. the rail line officers are getting worried and will soon be willing to make compromises in order to get out of this litigation
 Are Losing Money.
 The fact is that the railroads claim now that they are losing money, and find if hard to make both ends meet, and It may be that in the end they will be wll- ing to make peace even at cost. This Is the idea of at least one railroad law yer He even went so far as to say that he thought that some of the roads were even considering putting in the 2h-eent passenger rate recently established in Alabama.
 tie-up of the Southern in Alabama would mean a great loss in business. It and renehes some of the most progressive territory, especially in the mining dis trct.
 It is the outlet to the Mississippi from Birmingham. and has some of the best mines in the district depending upon it for service. Likewise some of the best farming territory is reached by It. and to tie 1t up would mean great hardship.
 For this reason. as well as for the desire to have peace, 1t Is not thought the road will be very brisk for a further row. Citizens of the state are doing all they can to prevent further trouble and 1t fs hoped there will be an amicable compro- mise of the situation.