Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-06
ALABAMA RAILROAD CONTEST
OF THE ROAD MAY BE
PUT IN JAIL.
State officials Hold a Conference and
There May Be Important
Developments.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. August G-Another
move was made in the Southern railway
case yesterday when the Alabama railroad
commission took official notice Of the fact
that the railroads license to do business In
Alabama had been revoked by the secre-
tary Of state.
The commission was hearing an applica-
ton for depot facilities at Gaylesville. on
the Southern railway, when Commissioner
W. D. Norbite moved that the commission
should not take the matter up till the pres
ent case against the road had been dis
posed of.
1.-The Southern railway" he said. cannot
be recognized by the Alabama railroad COM
mission It's license has been revoked by
the secretary of state and this commission
has not the authority to go into this mat
ter.
Railroad Does Not exist"
The other commissioners agreeu with him
and the matter was passed over. This ac-
ton on the part Of the commission was a
surprise to the railroad men. several Of
who is President Fineys chief assistant,
was present and had just completed a talk
explaining the situation at Gainesville
When he was called on to testify he said
to the commission that he did not wish to
make any statement which would make
him subject to criminal punishment under
the statute which revoked .--e franchise of
the Southern railroad. While he admitted
that the officials Of the company had not
been served with the notice he said the
company's local attorneys at Talladega
had been. He said that his company was
still doing business in Alabama. but did not
say what move would be made to keep the
state from enforcing its order
1t has been intimated that the road would
yield to the state and see what the people
had to say about 1t, but this seems to be
untrue. Gov. Conner has determined to take
a more aggressive stand and yesterday had
a long conference at Birmingham with the
state attorneys. and while it has not been
officially given out. 1t Is expected there
will be mars arrests made of officers and
employees of the company. who will be SUBJ
ject to imprisonment IL convicted.
Wants Matter Settled.
The governor wants to have the matter
brought to test Immediately. and 1t would
be no surprise If an extraordinary session
Of the legislature is called to appoint a re-
ceiver for the Southern railway.
The Southern railway may let things take
their course for few days and then with
draw Its suit from the federal court.
thereby bringing back into the state court
the suit which has caused so much conster-
nation. If this Is done this may be the
means of having everything settled without
much trouble.
BIRMINGHAM. Ala. August Ga con-
ference was held here yesterday between
Gov. Conner and Attorney General Alexan-
der Garben and the several attorneys whom
the state has engaged to assist the attorney
general in the prosecution Of the litiga ton
in the several railroad cases. The list Of
attorneys includes former Chief Justice
Samuel D. Weakley of this city. former
Chief Justice Richard Walker Of Hunts
vile and Horace Strngfellow of Montgom-
cry.
While none Of the state officials directly
concerned will consent to be quoted on the
subject 1t Is understood that the administra-
ton Is fully determined to hold the Southern
railway to a strict accountability for trans
ferring suit from the state court at Talla-
dega to the federal court In defiance of the
new law.
Extra Session Of Legislature.
II neceesu - legislature will b con-