The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-05-21
GOOD ROADS WILL CLAIM ATTENTION Senator 0verton Will Begin
 Campaign THE ISSUE IS LIVE ONE Supreme Court UphoIds Issue of East Lake Improvement Bonds-other Decisions of the Court Handed
 Down.
THE ISSUE IS LIVE ONE

Montgomery, May 2O.-(Special. .)-One of the early movements in prospect just now IS in the interest of good roads, the friends of the Overton amendment antic- ipating that it will be fairly easy to get enthusiasm upon it now that the primary Is out of the way. Senator John W. Over ton of Randolph is going to make 1t a popular thing in every section of the state If he can.
 Many have been misinformed with re- gard to the effect of this movement If the amendment to the constitution carries no changes will be made until the next session of the legislature, and no appro- priations can be cut down prior to that time. Hence it will be up to the incom- ing lawmakers to say how the new law, if law is passed, may be administered. The adoption of the amendment will have to be followed by enactments if there is any practical effect.
 Is Live Issue.
 The good roads issue is a live one in every section of the state, and will be given general airing between now and the time for electing United States sena- tors again. Bankhead has somewhat of o Cidihi oii lt dc ai ioSuc, Dul ihohJ Vl the leading men in the state have shown preference for it. Governor Conner has, by one or two publications, been put in the attitude of opposing the movement, but he seems to have been misunder- stood, for he has said time and again that he is for 1t, being a heavy taxpayer for good roads in both Jefferson and Bar bour counties.
 An interesting speculation is that Sen ator Overton expects to utilize the work he has done for the amendment as an is- sue in race of his own for high honors. When seen here recently he did not say what he had in mind, preferring to work for the amendment. But this has not kept down the impression that he Is lay ing mains for something high up, pos sibly the governorship in the near years to come.
 On Its Long Way.
 With the appeal of the litigation be- tween the state and the railroads to the United States court of appeals, the final action on the legislative acts of the re- cent session runs far to the future. The court has continued the injunction against the acts, but suspended all other proceedings pending the appeal. The re- suit is that every one of the acts are tied up.
 The Louisville and Nashville, the South and North, the Western of Alabama and the Central of Georgia profit by the de. lay. They are charging the same ole rates that were in effect before the 1aws were enacted. If they win against th' state they will have nothing ot giv' back. .s On the other hand the roads whicf compromised and put in the rates ar' losing all the time the difference betwee1 the old figures and the new, with no re course They may restore them in cast the state loses, but what has gone be fore is gone for good.
 Bonds Are Good. The supreme court has upheld an issue of improvement bonds by the town O. East Lake, though w. E. Howard. 8 citizen tried to prevent it. It was held 1T the complaint brought before the city court of Montgomery that by an act o1 the legislature towns were limited 1T this way, and that East Lake was up tt the limit. The court held, however, thai the new constitution made provision fol issue by vote, and that the action in this case was in line with the law The court also held that the town oi Prattville could ont charge license fol a man who took orders in the town ant had goods shipped in from the outside to fill them. This was clearly within tht right of the interstate commerce act il was said.
 The cases ruled on follow: Ry Tyson. chief 1ustice-Nashville, Chat. tanoga and St. Louis Railway vs. J. H Wood, Marshall circuit court; reversed and remanded
 By Haralson, justice-Crum vs Town of Prattville, Autauga circuit court; reversed and remanded.
 Simpson, justice-Howard vs. Town ol East Lake, Birmingham city court; af- firmed.
 Denson. justice-J. w Hurt vs. Annie D. Hurt, Perry chancery court, affirmed.
 Minor Mention.
 Former Gov. William D. Jeks was a visitor at the capitol Wednesday, looking into insurance matters.
 State Treasurer w. D. Seed went over to Tuscaloosa to welcome the Grand Lodge of Pytnians. N
 Governor Conner spent the first three days of the week out of the city, but is back in harness again.
 H. J. Willingham of the education de- partment who is keeper of the cash of the Grand Lodge of Pythians, is with the Triangle Tribes at Tuscaloosa.
 Former Railroad Commissioner Thomas Sanders was here this week. He is de- voting his time to a large law practice at Athens and promoting the school in terests of his section.
 Laymen in Session.
 The laymen of the Alabama confer ence, Methodist Episcopal church, south, are In session in this city the initial meet ing being held tonight. Judge William H. Thomas of the city court spoke the greetings of the city and the church, to which W. B. Watkins of Opelka respond ed. The leading address was made by John R. Pepper of Memphis, president Of the Southern Laymens' association The board of missions of the Alabama confer ence, Methodist Episcopal church, south is also in session here. The presiding officer is the Rev. J. B. Cummings, pre- siding elder of the church. Among the speakers were the following: J. K. B. Spain, F. A. Rogers, J. B. Cummings