The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-23
SCHOOL LOCATERS ON SOUTHERN TRIP Will Resume Strenuous Duties
 Next Monday GUNNELS TALKS OF WORK Thinks Enthusiasm Exhibited Toward Governor Does Not Indicate a
 Waning of His Popularity
 of Last Year.
GUNNELS TALKS OF WORK

After spending two weeks touring the counties of North Alabama, the Alabama high school locating board will visit South Alabama beginning Monday.
 All next week will be spent in Barbour, Bullock and Houston counties. As in North Alabama, the party will travel by train whenever possible but when impos- sible, this will not check the progress. Carriage, horseback and foot will be re- sorted to. The party will make from one to three speeches per day.
 The locating board is composed of Gov ernor Conner, State Auditor W. W. Bran don and Superintendent of Education Harry c. Gunnels. The object of the touring of the state is to receive bids of those cities desiring the high schools to be located which are to be aided by year. ly contributions from the treasury of the state.
 The three prominent state officials con- posing the board were in the city last night.
 In speaking of the trip through North Alabama, the arduous difficulties of which have been published in The Age-Herald. Superintendent of Education Gunnels had the following to say:
 "The trip through North Alabama was a most strenuous one, indeed. Never be- fore in the history of the state has 1t happened that the chief executive has made journeys throughout the state speaking on education. It is generally the case that the governor does not leave the capital save when he can't help it. But Governor Conner has been an excep- ton.
 The 30 miles horseback trip was a fair example of the difficulties with which the governor was confronted. From Moulton to Russellvllle was the length of this journey. It is mot generally known, but this trip was made in snow and in the coldest wes tneI.
 "The trip through South Alabama will be just as tedious, and, as the northern trip, will require two weeks. After this trip there will be others, for every county in the state Is to be visited.
 "All bids are preserved, and will be con sidered aftel the various counties have been visited. Il will be in February when the decisions arc announced"
 In order to learn whether or not there was disposition on the part of the peo- pie to witndlaw support from the admin istration in it's light against the railroads, General Brandon was asked concerning the receptions rendered the governor.
 q cannoi tell whether the people who were so enthusiastic in their reception of the governor, were tired of the railroad agitation or not. But 1t is @ certainty that wherever the governor went he was re- ceived warmly. enthusiastically At many places there was nothing short of a dem onstration. It Is wonderful what large audiences gi oeted us wherever we went. have never before seen such educa- tional enthusiasm
 ''The governor discussed educational topics almost exclusively. It was an ed- ucational mission Therefore, as concerns the railroad question: I am unable to ex- press the sentiment of the people. But the people were demonstrative in their atten- tions to the governor, and it is accurate to describe him as one of the most popu- lar men in Alabama. his traducers to the contrary notwithstanding"