The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-26
CARRIER is PLEASED
WITH SITUATION
Rate Hearings Before Interstate
Commerce Commission
ALABAMA GETS HOT END
1t Is Contended That This State Is
Made to Pay Higher Freight Rates
Than Next-Door Neigh
Dor, Georgia.

Montgomery, September 25.-(SpeciaL)-
Attorney General A. NJ. CARRIER came
back from the rate hearings before the
interstate commerce commission at At
lanta well impressed with the justice of
the Alabama case and interested in ru-
NOR that Attorney General Bonaparte had
in mind taking a hand in the situation
on the belief that the freight associa-
lions had violated the spirit of the Sher-
man antitrust act He said that the
opinion was general that the contention
from this section was one that would be
sustained.
1t was commended by the Alabama at
torneys, Judge s. D. Weakley and H. c.
, Selheimer being associates, that there
was nothing in the records of business
for the past ten years to justify a raise
in rates and that it was up to the rail
roads to make a showing that such a
thing is necessary; also that it is not just
to base a raise on the business of one
short period like the panic of last fall,
but on continued time of several years.
The rates, as increased, are higher the
state argues, than for q years.
rates are now higher than in Georgia;
that rates were lowered in the latter state
in 1905 and were only set back to the
old figures at the same time that Ala
bama was forced to take on a net in
crease of an amount equal to the differ
ence between the old and the new Geor-
gia rate. 1t is contended therefore, that
Alabama is getting 1t good and hard not
only on the new rate but on a discrimina-
ton in favor of the next door state, which
has had advantage it is said, for some
years, in local schedules.
Colonel CARRIER says that the report that
Attorney General Bonaparte will take
hand in the working of the big freight as
ISOLATION Is well established and he be-
lieves that there is smething in it. The
records of the association are such as
to Indicate that agreements were reached,
he thinks, to an extent to justify ac-
ton, 1t is understood that some of the
leading men of the state have put the
will at least investigate as to whether or
not there is reason for interference,
Good Farmers Year.
The year ending next week has been
one of progressive activity on the part
of the Alabama department of agricul-
ture. During the time number of enter
prises have been worked out to success
and Commissioner Wilkinson is rather
pleased with the record, though he hopes
to be able to do more during the coming
II months.
The new soil survey law has been put
to execution, and there are now five
squads at work. The fertilizer and cot
ton seed laws have been better UNDER
stood by the makers and there is abso-
lutte unanimity on the part of these and
the department. What promises to be a
fine article of tobacco has been raised at
Brewton and sent to Washington for final
test, along with some better known from
Perry county, and other things have been
accomplished OF as great moment.
There will be about $50 boxes of fertil-
zer tags to burn, the cash value, if sold.
of which would have been $780, also a
number of tags of last year that were
taken in trade for new ones The receipts
of the tag sales will be about $4,000, which
is about $1,000 above those of the previous
II months. There is also a great increase
In the receipts for registering fertilizer
brands, which will be resumed after Oc-
tober !.
Valuable Records Preserved.
Secretary of State Frank N Julian has
just had bound the land records of the
state, which run back to the entry into
the nation of Alabama as a state. They
include the tract and plat books and
the original field notes and comprise
valuable asset that cannot be estimated
Mr.. Julian has the books, which are Rus
sia and corduroy bond, incased in latest
improved steel case with ball bearing
fittings, so that they cannot be rubbed
There are 2o0 books in all.
Negro Student Diplomas.
The state superintendent of education
is signing about so diplomas of the Negro
Normal school at Montgomery. Besides
his signature, H. s. d. Mallory. presi-
dent of >the board of directors and j.
Kirk Jackson, sign; also the president of
the school, w. b. Patterson President
Patterson has a way that others have not.
He gives diplomas year after gradua-
ton. holding a possible refusal as me-
mace to make graduates make the best of
themselves.