The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-08-04
VIRGINIA WINS
 OVER RAILROADS Two Cent Rate Will Take Effect
 at Once
1 ACTION NOT SURPRISING
Governor Swanson Was Fully Pre- pared t9 Take Legislative Action
 Had Not the Railroads
 Yielded Gracefully.

Richmond. Va, August 3.-Shortly be- l fore midnight the state officials in conference at the governors office at | the state capitol received communica . | tion from the agents of the Virginia railways to the effect that the 2-cent rate would go into effect on or before October 1. with the condition that the matter should be taken to the courts for final discussion as to it's legality. The acceptance by the railroads of the ultlmatum sent them by Governor Swanson today is not a surprise, for it has been known for twenty-four hours that the state had won and the railways had to make the best terms possible.
 Attorneys for the South ern. Chesa- peake and Ohio Norfolk and Western, Atlantic Coast Line and Richmond Frederick sburg and Potomac have been fin conference all day formulating ar engagements for the letter sent. an an |. swer to the letter sent by Governor Swanson. on behalf of the corporations commission. and the state, but it was not until l1:40 that the agreement was finally signed.
 Had not the railways accepted the conditions offered by the state, an eX- tra session of the general assembly would have been caleld at once. Letters and telegrams it is learned, had been prepared to be sent to the members. The statement given out by the rafl roads is that they have determined to live in peace with the people and to end the conflict
 Governors Letter.
 The governor in his letter to the attor- neys for the railroad dwells upon the importance of an amicable settlement be- ing reached, and says:
 "The railroad companies and their in- terests are entitled to the same rights and the same considerations that other persons and their property. no more, no less l cannot help thinking that these companies are entitled to be given no special rights and they should be sub ieeted to no unjust burdens and discrimi- nations. Feeling this. and as governor of Virginia interested in all of her varied interests. 1t Is my earnest hope that this controversy may reach such a prompt and satisfactory solution as will be bene- fical to all parties.
 With the appro, al of the corporation commission 1 tender the following propo- sltion for your consideration and regard 1t as a fair proportion for the final ad- iustment of the matter by the supreme court of the United States.
 q. The passenger rates, rules and regu- latlons with respect thereto ordered by
 
 1907, shall be put Into opera tion not later than the first of October, 1907y y-an1 con tinued until the pending cases are finally adjudicated by the supreme court both as to Jurisdiction and to merits
 70 That the cases in the supreme court of the United States shall be hastened for decision in the supreme court Of the United States as speedily as possible.
 Evidence to Be Used.
 g. That the evidence that has already been introduced in the cases before the corporation commission shall be used as evidence in the litigation in the circuit court of the United States, if when heard on it's merits. eacL party having the right to supplement- it with any additional evi- dence as to facts thereby arising.
 ''4 That counsel representing the state and counsel representing the railroads shall agree upon a method of procedure and proper details necessary to carry
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