The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-01
DIFFICULTIES IN
 MAKING OF RATES Railroad Commission Has Prob
 lem For April l2 UNIFORM RIVER CHARGES R. R. Rroadnax, Acquitted of Murder of Sheriff of Lowndes on In- sanity Plea, Is Out of Asylum
 and Returns Home.

Montgomery. March 31.-(Special) )-The movement for general readjustment of rates on the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers, which will be heard by the rail- road commission on April 12, is thought by many to presage a complicated condi- ton of affairs on the streams of the state. The science of river rate control is young and the effort to preserve a uniform set of charges has already met with unheard of difficulties
 Since the effort of the state to prevent rate cutting in the interest of settled con ditions on the rivers there has been much discussion and not few protests. it being argued by many that they have a right to charge as little as they please since the one served is pleased. The rivers of the country are open highways, and they are there by no concession of either state, city or county, and their construction brought about no rights of eminent do- main.
 Since all this is so and there are some who do not care to have uniformity of rates or settled conditions on the streams 1t is wondered if there is not few pros-
 
 ing for this new science of the govern ment-of the waterways. It is well known that the railroads would like very we'll to have river business disturbed, since it has been making less hauls in this sec tion. However, the trouble seems per So to be desire to bring about adjustments, and all may be well in the end.
 
 R. R. Broadnax, who shot and killed Sheriff Haynes in Lowndes county some time ago and who was acquitted on a plea that he was crazy, has been re- leased from the asylum at Tuscaloosa and Is again at his home in Hayneville.
 Body Found
 The body of Dick Johnson, negro, who was drowned in the Alabama river, March 10. has been found. It was 15 miles be- low the city. At the same time Johnson lost his life Will billiard and Tom Harp CT. white, and Bob Goodwin, colored were lost of the same boat. The body of billiard is the only one not yet found.
 Joel E. Matthews.
 A portrait, life size and in oil, has been presented to the state department or archives and history by Thomas Daw- son of Flat Top, son of the late Col. H. R. Dawson. It Is received with much pleas ure by Dr. Thomas M. Owen, the director MT. Matthews was born at Goose Pond Ga, and graduated at the University of Virginia. He moved in early manhood to Dallas county, where he spent the balance of his life. dying May H. 1874 Mir Mat thews distinguished himself at the begin- hing of the war for secession by sending $15,000 in gold to the state government for expenses. which act was cordially ac- knowledged by Gov. A. M. Moore
 Service Resumed.
 The Central of Georgia announces that resumption of double daily passenger ser vice will be had on the line between Lockhart and Hartford at once. Some time ago 1t was suggested by the railroad commission that the time had come to get a better train service betwee these points and the officials of the road compiled with the request.
 Mrs. Knox Dead.
 Mrs. William Knox who had been in i'll health for many months, died at 2 D. m. Wednesday afternoon at her home on Washington street. Mrs Knox was 69 years of age and died on the lot where she was born. She leaves a husband, Col. William Knox, well-known Confederate veteran. and a daughter. Mrs. Annetta Hall. Mrs. Knox was one of the best known women in the state
 Mrs. Trimbe Dies.
 Mrs. Nathaniel w Trimble, Jr who was Miss Eleanor Offutt of this city, died at the home of her sister. Miss Mamie Of- futt, this morning. She had been married about three years her husband being a member of prominent Birmingham fam fly, in business in Mexico. Mrs Trimble had been ill for some time
 Must Get Better Jails.
 pr. C. F. Bush says that he will insist that those counties where jails are bad fix them up or build new ones. As ain- spector of jails he has let 1t be known that they must be kept in good condition. Greene county is one that is not taking his advice to rebuild her jail, and 1t is not at all unlikely that prisoners will be order d away unless better things prevail