The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-07-25
STATE WILL RESIST
 RATE INCREASES
Will Employ Every Means PoS-
 SibIe In Law
HAS POLITICAL FEATURES
It Is Believed By Some That Msenates Think They Can Advance Railroad Rates In the South and Not
 Hurt Republican Party.

Montgomery, July 24.-(Special)- Alabama will resist the proposed raises in freight rates from Ohio and Missis- sippi river crossings to the full extent that is possible by law. This much was indicated at conference between President Charles Henderson and Asso- ciate Commissioner John A. Lusk Of the state railroad commission held here today. No formal session of the com mission was held because of the ab- sence of Commissioner Nesbitt, but the matter was discussed and it is antici- pated that by the time Governor Conner is ready to spring the fight the com mission will lave prepared itself for aggressive aid.
 President Henderson takes the posi- tion that the raises have grown out of the movement to reduce wages last November. He thinks that such thing at that time might have prejudiced tn 0 voters against the republican party and for that reason, he believes, 1t was abandoned. Now, 1t appears to hirl the magnates believe that they can raise the rates to the south and not lose any votes to speak of and reach the same end as reduction In pay would have brought about. In other words he ayers that the extra payments in freight rates will in large measure, Ego to fill up the slush fund which the republicans must have"
 It is a matter of interest that the Montgomery freight bureau has also had the matter up and will lend aid in whatever way it can to advance the fight, though 1t can take no active hand in it. This bureau has begun a movement for an adjustment of the rates charged by the express com- panies in the state. President w. F.. Vandver of the bureau has been given a leave of absence for several months to take vacation. He will relinquish the detail work to the vice president ; who will look after it, in connection with the manager, H. S. Kealhofer.
 Baptist Progress.
 Alabama Baptists have made won derful progress in the past year. said H. J. Willingham of the educational department, who is Just back from the state convention at Roanoke. "All oe the institutional work is in fine con- dition, the schools in partiular show ing up In excellent shape. The re- ports indicated that the church is mak- ing wonderful strides in the care )f the many responsibilities put upon it. l MT. Willingham has been going to state conventions for many years, but found that none of them had evidenced the vitalizing activities to the extert that the Roanoke session had. Not au interest of the denomination but showed the effect of sympathy and support. The two colleges, Howard for boys and the Judson for girls, re- ported wonderfully successful progress, and the minor schools seem to have been supported beyond the expecta- tions of many.
 New interest was also taken in tho Southern Baptist seminary at Louisville and more money pledged to it. Tn Q historical society headed by Chief Jug tice John R. Tyson, was taken into th.s fold with enthusiasm The orphange (. will have better support and the plan to raise a great sum for missions was received with good will. MT. Willing ham anticipates that the coming year will see the Baptist forge much more rapidly to the front.
 Lusk In City.
 John A. Lusk, new member of the rail- road commission, senator from Marshall and good friend to the governor, had his first taste of work in his new position to- day, when he answered a call to meet President Henderson in Montgomery for ba ulpStiOn Of rpSiStin q the application of increased rail rates to southern territory. No session was held, however, as MT. Nesbtt, the other mem- Der of the board, did not come.
 MT. Lusk takes the position that the raises in rates are unjust and points out that as the south is the only section to suffer, it must be a jolt at the south. However, he anticipates that way will be found to defeat the increases, or if not the south is able to stand it. He was met by a number of friends about the city and given welcome to the com mission, and received many well wishes for success in good work for the state and the enterprises of life state.
 Busy Ween for Governor.
 Next week will be somewhat more live ly than the one just passing so far as the capitol is concerned. Governor Conner will come back Dy tuesday 1T all IS well in the strike zone, the railroad com raisslon will have up the question with him of fighting the raises in rail rates to the south. In addition to that there are a lumbe of reports of special examiners to be looked over and made public.
 Among the most interesting of these reports is one by H. Y. Brooke, assistant examiner, on the several national guard organizations. This document is very voluminous and goes back over the en- campments that have been held during the past several years. It is not known what the report contains, and it is given ! out that no publicity will be given until tie governor looks it over.
 A number of minor matters will also como ur, ihe desk of the chief executive being filled with letters and petitions A runher of pardons have been acted upon by the pardon board and they will be IF 10 tic governor for final action These include abOut all that will he taken nm