The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-16
.LUSK APPOINTED
 ON COMMISSION Conner Names Him To Succeed
 Major Harris
STATEMENT BY COVERING R
Several Men Well Qualified for the Place We're In the Race, But the Governor Thought It Best
 To Choose MT. Lusk.

Montgomery. July b. -(Specal.)-- John A. Lusk, member of the state sen ate and stauneh friend of the present state administration. was today ap- pointed railroad commissioner in the place of the late Maj. John Gideon Harris He came to the city from his , home in Guntersvil1e. reaching here, however. after the appointment had been announced. The Age Herald was notified last night that the governor had decided to tender the place to Coz onel Lusk and the prediction was borne out early today
 Colonel Lusk is a lawyer of Mar shall county, and well known In every section of the state. He represented the county in the legislature of 1903 and was the author of the Lusk re- districtlng bill which. because of be- ing declared unconstitutional. made Q lot of trouble for the courts of the state. The trouble with the bill was in its passage not construction. thing see He also fought out many othei acts in the lower house and came ont with reputation for hard work.
 When Colonel Lusk came to the SC l. ate last year 1t was as the recognia ..i friend of Governor Conner, and suo port of the administration measures He kept himself in that attitude all the time and was so strong a support 10 the policies of the administration that Governor Conner made public ac- knowledg cement of his services and pre- sented him with handsome gold headed cane. He was the right hanl man of Lieutenant Governor Henry B Gray helping him to win his fight for appointment of the senate committees
 Shortly after the legislature ad- journed 1t became known that Colon sl Lusk would stand for the supreme court, and in due time he announced With legislative record of several had made a lot of enemies. These be- came so active early in the race that he was defeated, but made a number of new friends in the time of the pri- mary. He also ran for Congress once in the Seventh district, but did not make it.
 In a statement to the press Governor Conner makes it plain that he appre. ciated the claims of the other men of fering for the place, but he thought it best to name his senatorial friend. Tn ere were dozen or more getting here for the fight, and only this morning it was reported that another very close friend, talked of for the place. In the state ment the governor says:
 Corners Statement.
 As regards the naming of a commis sioner to take Colonel Harris pdace. will state that I deeply regret Colonel Harris death; he was taking an active interest in his work, seems to have been very fond of it, and l have no doubt was making g. good commissioner.
 There are many men well qualified for the place, strong friends of mine. and interested in carrying out the general proposition of establishing just and equit- able relations between the public service corporations and the people, making sucn Jules and changes as to remove unjust charges both as to rates and demurrage, securing better service and the prompter payment of claims, removing by these ad- lustments the friction that exists between the public service corporations and the people and establishing friendly relations and cooperation between them. This is the earnest desire of the people and of the administration.
 T could easily select a number of men ;" ho would well carry out this important work, but without disparagement to any, and with the highest and klndest regards for all, l think Col. John A Lusk of Marshall county well qualified. He has been the earnest advocate of the people has stood for their rights, is clear headed of judicial temperament and I am sure vii do everything that is reasonable and right in preserving the integrity of the states demands along proper lines, and ct the same tune would be firm that the carriers interest should not be jeopardiz- ed or imposed upon. In offering him the Tldce it Is in no sense of the word a dis pdragemcnL of others, as there are many well qualified and in. whom l feel the most lively interest, and in whom I be- lieve the tate could we'll intrust every welfare"
 
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