The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-01-20
RAILROADS WILL
FIGHT NEW RATES
Governor Appoints Examiner
Public Accounts and Assistants
WINSTON BOARD REVENUE
Conner viii Shave School Appropria-
ton to $4,000 If Senate Fails.
Pardoning Board to Meet
Next Tuesday.
WINSTON BOARD REVENUE

Montgomery, January 19.-(Special)-
Two things seem reasonably certain in
the political situation; one that the legis-
lature will pass the bill calling for a
2h cent passenger fare in the state, and
the other that the railroads will enjoin
the putting of such a rate into effect
on the ground that they are not making
any money with the present rates and
such schedules would cause them to lose
money on the passenger hauls. This much
is evident from what has been said by
railroad men within the past forty-elght
hours.
1t is pretty we'll understood that the
leaders in the legislature, in line with
the wishes of the new administration.
have agreed to pass a bill making the
fares 215 cents on the lines of over 90
miles and cents on all others. Railroad
men say they will not stand for it; as it
would amount to confiseation of their
property 1t is contended that in states
where there is large passenger travel
the amount is sufficient, because of the
volume. but in Alabama, where it is
light much of the time. there would be
loss at such a figure, in fact, they say.
is loss at the present rate.
Railroad men will also fight, it is said,
the adoption of the proposed interchange
able mileage books In the state. One
of them said that the bill proposed by
Senator Lusk would mean financial loss
to every solvent line in the state. What
protection would we have against roads
which are not solvent?" asked one of
u 20 ba,
passengers and never get the money for
it, And there are insovent roads in Ala
bama, little az you think of it." This
same man continued, discussing other
laws: THE worst feature 70 proposed
legislation however, is the effort to legis-
late us entirely out of any rights in the
courts. If Some of the bills now pending
become laws we will be at the mercy
of every anti-coporaton man who chooses
to make up the subject of his wrath We
can enjoin rate legislation, If 1t is con-
fiscatory, but would have no protection
against some of the laws now looking
to become laws"
School appropriation.
While the schools have the call with
the present Legislature and the governor
now in the chair, it is well established
that tHC SAFtullNt Will IlOl allow any one
interest to get the better of another in
the matter of appropriations. II the sem
ate does not shave down the bill passed
by the house Friday to $500, 900 the gov
ernor, it is well known, will The amount
to be given the common schools was
talked as 100000 and that was the sum
asked by the department of education
and that is likely to be all that will
be given.
With the higher institutions there is
the best of understanding and good feel
ing and they are pulling together to have
all taken care of in the best way. 1t
is also a fact that everybody is work
ing for the institutions of help to the
helpless and needy, IKE the Boys In
dustrial school and the deaf and blind
schools. All are in favo" this year and
they will likely have many good things
done for them by this session.
Purifoy Appointed.
Governor Conner today announced these
appointments
Judge John Purifoy of Montgomery, ex-
aminer of public accounts.
ii. Fitzhugh Lee of Dothan and ID. G.
Trawick of Abbeyille, assistants
Judge John Purifoy Is well known and
popular throughout Alabama He took a
prominent part in politics throughout the
dark days of reconstruction. In 1880 he
was tlttlcd DlOttetAf Juu6t VI RllcOA cOuu-
ty which office he held for six years In
1896 he was elected to the house of repre-
sentatives from that county. In 1892 he
was nominated for the office of state audi
tor mad on the same day, June 10, he was
appointed by Governor Thomas G.. Jones
to fill the unexpired term of six months,
caused by the death of Auditor Cyrus D.
Hogue. He was subsequently elected and
served two successive terms as state audi
tor. In 1897 he wa sappointed chief ex-
aminer of public accounts by Governor
Joseph F. Johnston, serving nearly four
years In the position. After retiring from
the office he entered the insurance field
and he has now been appointed to his old
position as chief examiner by Governor
Conner. Mr.. Lee. one of the assistants,
comes from the well known and promi-
nent Lee family of Barbour county. His
father is Alto v Lee, who is recognized
as one of the most prominent attorneys
in the state.
Mr. Lee is fully competent to discharge
the duties of this office. He was appoint
ed by Governor jerks to fill out the unex-
pired term of Judge w. F. Wilkinson, who