The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-01-08
CANNOT LOWER THE
FREIGHT CHARGES
Railroad Commission Refuses
Request of Road
THE STEAMBOAT QUESTION
Regulation of River Rates May Work
Hardship On This Class of Trans
portation-Posting of Train
Schedules.
THE STEAMBOAT QUESTION

Montgomery, January 7.-(Special) -
That there can be no reductions in
freight charges with the restraining or
ders of the federal court in force is fur
ther shown by the action of the railroad
commission in refusing to allow the
Louisville and Nashville railroad to low
er rate on coke from Gadsden to An
niston. Secretary Kennedy had allowed
the rate to be lowered some days ago,
but the commission thought that it could
not consistently be done, in view of other
rulings. At the same time the action
of the secretary of refusing to allow re-
auctions on canned goods from Auburn
to Montgomery was ratified.
This situation has caused much COM
ment in the state. 1t may be said just
orders of the court do not prevent the
approval of reduction, but do make it i'm
possible to raise any that may be or may
have been lowered. This renders 1t un-
safe to let any reduction in particular
case be made because, it Is contended,
such action may result in discrimna-
ton at some other point that cannot then
be rectified. The orders Of the court are
that no action can be taken that will
reduce the revenue of any road party
to the rate litigation. Thus it will not
be possible to either raise or lower rates
on the Louisville and Nashville lines,
the Central of Georgia or the Western
of Alabama until decision Is reached in
the courts.
Steamboat Question.
A matter that is likely to bring about
much other discussion is the order to
steamboat companies that they file sched-
ulesl of traffic charges of all kinds with
the commission, and submit to the law
which places them under control of the
body. There are a number of lines in
the state, none of which have ever made
much money it is thought. 1t is also said
to be a fact that with the competition
that ever and anon springs up by the in
PRODUCTION of new boats it will be very
hard to keep up any set schedule of
charges This fact was recently indicated
on the Alabama river, where the big
boat American made fight to get in and
in the end lost out, but made rates
about the lowest ever known before it
gave up the fight.
The commission is going to call halt
on tufts of grass and clods and throw
some stones at the bad railroad boys in
the trees if they do not observe the reg
ulations with regard to posting trains
at all depots. Heretofore suggestions
have been made that the time be posted
now an order is made, and If it Is not
enforced, agents will be arraigned for
violation of the laws. The commission
wants the passengers to know at each
station just how late a train is when
it is late at all.
Alabama Singers Welcomed.
Two Alabama girls with the Madam
Butterfly company were heartily welcomed
to Montgomery They were Miss Nell
Lavendar, formerly of Selma, but now
of Rome. Ga, and Miss Ethel Houston,
formerly a resident of Birmingham A
number of friends of both showed them
attention while here.
Bondsmen Relieved.
J. M. Freeman and Willie Harris, who
were on the bond of Bonnie Harris at
Brewton, have been relieved of the for
fixture by Governor Conner. 1t was
shown that the reason the accused did
not show up for trial was that he had
died before the case was called.
Fighting Monopoly.
Most of Tuesday was taken up by the
Alabama railroad commission in hearing
argument on the application of the Postal
Telegraph company TO get into the new
union depot at Birmingham. 1t is al
legged that the Terminal company agreed
to give the Western Union exclusive
rights for wires there and the other com
pany is making fight to break this
compact.
Seeking License.
A large number of doctors are TAX
ing the state examinations this week,
having been assigned the supreme court
library for the lack of other room. Chief
Clerk Walter Brassel of the health de-
partment is very busy keeping in touch
with the applicants. There are also q
large number of applicants for license
to teach in the public schools taking
examinations at the state house.
Child Labor Laws.
In most of the cotton mill towns the
child labor law of the last legislature
is in force. The hardship now falls on
those families which have been getting
the proceeds of the labor of children I'M
der the age limit. With the reduction
of the demand the mills as a rule are
willing to let off sall who may be in the
restricted class.
Alabama Women Ill.
Two Alabama women are i'll now in
Johns Hopkins hospital, Baltimore. They
are Mrs. w. D. Seed who is not ex-
pected to survive the week, and Mrs. J.
Thomas Heflin, wife of the congressman
from the Fifth district, who is said to
be getting along well. Mrs. Seed lives