The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-03-12
rates has brought about the investiga-

rates has brought about the 1nVeStlSa- tion.
 The two officers will have a look at banks and landings, evident cost of handling freights and the volume of freight at the various places of loading An effort will be made to ascertain the cost of river traffic in all it's details so that the commission may act intelligently in the matter of rates The river inter- ests have been neglected, 1t is said, for some time, and there will be an effort on the part of the state to aid in every way this method of handling freight.
 Marks New Era.
 The last session of the legislature gave control of river freights to the railroad commission, marking a new era in the extension of state supervision, and it is the purpose of the commissioners to in every way possible promote the traffic, believing that in many cases it will tend to the development of territory that has heretofore been held back. It is also a matter of interest that the Birmingham and Gulf Railroad company, recently chartered, intends to make extensive de- velopment of river business and river and rail hauls.
 It Is understood that this company has tried for the purchase of all the boats on the navigable streams of the state with a view to working them together and making the business pay, in connection with extensive steam and electric rail connections to be provided in a number of sections. This company has just been per- mitted to record a mortgage of $1O, ,0OO, 900 to the Carnegie Trust company of New York, by which it is to get the money S3,000,000 of which will be spent in Ala bama. With attention by the state and monied men it now looks as if the rivers of the state are to come into much more favor.
 New Guard Officers.
 The adjutant general of the Alabama national guard has commissioned the fol- lowing officers recently elected
 Infantry, First regiment, colonel R. B. DuMont; lieutenant colonel G. J. Hub. bard; chaplain, R. E. Bennett. Of the Troy company, c. w. sutliff, first lieu tenant, and F. J. Cowart, second lieuten- ant.
 Second regiment, battalion staff: First battalion, G. O. Dickey, commanding; w. H. Amerine, adjutant; J. B. Starr, quar- termaster and commissary; Second bat talion, E. F. Baber, commanding; Alex c. Hannon, adjutant; J. Miles Smith, quartermaster and commssary Third battalion, c. H. Seals commanding; Wal ter E. Hooper, adJutant; Briscoe Seals, quartsrmaster and commissary.
 First regiment, battalion staff: w. j.. Walden, commanding; w. E. Mickle, ad- jutant; Leon Schwartz, quartermaster and commissary.
 Company officers: Oxford, Company l. Third regiment R. G. Roberts, captain; John Fitzgerald, first lieutenant; Thomas l.. Smith, second lieutenant; Talladega, Company L, Third regiment. F. c. Me- Alpine, captain; T. P. McEldery. first lieutenant E. H. Cabaniss, second lieu tenant.
 Executive Appointments.
 The following appointments have been made by the governor: J. M. Houston, Town Creek, member of Lawrence county Board of Revenue. to succeed w. V. Pruitt, deceased: J. M. Edmondson, dis pensary commissioner at Eufaula, reap pointed G. A. Fuller of Dothan, member
 New Corporations.
 The Wilson Naval Stores company of South Dakota has entered Alabama, with offices at. Tensaw, J. T. Wilson, agent The Bessemer Gas company of Mobile has also been incorporated with capital of $10OO0O.