The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-03
GENERAL EXODUS
To THE CAPITAL
FROM BIRMINGHAM
NeSbitt Returning Last Night
Discussed Matters New
Before Legislature
WAL TER MOORE SAYS THE
TRIP Is UNNECESSARY
Say Commission Bill Is dead as Hec-
tor" for "Autocrat Rule in Ala
bama Is Ended"-Oth-
ers in Party.

Railroad Commissioner w d. Nesbitt
returned from Montgomery last night on
the S:S7 train and when asked about con-
ditions in the legislative city said: There
are three groups of lobbyists who seem
to occupy the center of the stage al
Montgomery now-the advocates and enc
mics of Pettus county, Greater Birming-
ham and the Enselyits who are fighting
their annexation to the greater city.
From what l could hear the prol1bi-
ton bills will so through in easy order.
The submission of constitutional prohibit
ton will also pass easily. The legisla-
ture seems to be stronger for prohibition
than ever, and the opposition has prac-
tically given up hope.
II gather that there are good many
friends for the fee system amendment,
but the new county and biennial sessions
amendments seem doomed to defeat.
II believe that the Greater Birming-
ham bill will probably pass, although a
hard fight is being made against It,"
Mr.. Nesbitt stated that the crosstie con-
tract of the Louisville and Nashville rail-
road was the only matter which came be-
fore the railroad commission yesterday
He was the only state official on the
train last night.
Depot Looks Like Lobby.
The Louisville and Nashville depot was
the scene of movement toward the cap
ital yesterday, and at some times 1t re-
sembled lobby hall. At both morning
and afternoon departures the friends of
Solicitor H. p. Hefin, men from the court
house. were on hand in numbers, and
While ]. B. Arid and a few others went
down, the majority of the crowd was con-
tent with giving final warning to JEFF
ferson county's legislators, and advice to
the lobbyists who will be there to the
finish.
Walker Percy and Borden Burr went
down yesterday morning in the interest of
the commission bill. and several matters
of In portance. G. II. Estes is framing a
strong party to leave in the interest of
the commission bill just as soon as it is
scheduled to come up before the commit
tee. Mr.. Estes proposes to carry q car
load If possible and among them will be
some of the most prominent citizens In
the city.
Walter Moore when seen yesterday said
that he had intended to go down to fight
the commission bill, but he was so we'll
assured that 1t cannot possibly go through
he had decided the trip would be useless.
1T is dead as Hector" he said, and
1 don't see any use wasting time Au-
tocrat rule Is a dead letter in Alabama -
Frank Nelson, Jr., marshaled a big
crowd on the train yesterday afternoon to
appear before the committee this morning
and fight for Greater Birmingham. Jere
King, its author stated that the bill will
be considered by the joint committees
practically all day today, and will not
come up In the house or senate before
Thursday. Among those who embarked
on the afternoon train to fight for Great
err Birmingham were Esoar Floyd who
favors prohibition bills. Greater Birming-
ham and commission government; P. c.
Ratliff, h. D. Smith, Fred M. jackson
and others.
s. D. Weakley, who drew many of the
prohibition bills, was on the train but
did not give out any opinion other than
that the prohibition bills would undoubted-
ly pass. Another prominent lawyer went
down avowedly In the interest of Emmett
O'Neal of Florence for governor An
announcement of his candidacy Is ex-
pected before very long. John p. TILL
man Is another man who joined the lobby
lists last night.
Greater Birmingham Crowd.
Romano Boyd returned to continue his
fight for the Greater Birmingham bill.
while DR.. R. M. Cunningham headed a
delegation composed of w. T. Stewart,
A. w. Averyt. f. M Crossett, DR.. Nat
Clarke, j. NJ. Perkins and others to pre-
vent the annexation.
Fred jackson stated that he is very
much interested In seeing Sand mountain,
with parts of DeKalb and Jackson coun-
ties become a county for itself T. T.
Huey and Ben G. Perry Joined the rooters
for Pettus county, but did not seem en-
thusiastic over the passage of their bill.
The morning train carried B. M. Miller
Lieutenant Governor Gray Mr.. Mcdowell
of Ensey, the arch-enemy of the Greater
Birmingham bills taking in Ensley.
A very large delegation will leave on
the early train today to appear before
the committee this afternoon In the inter-
ests of Greater Birmingham. James
Bowron will make a talk and will ex-
plain the danger which confronts Ensley
of having no water supply at all, II she
waits until Birmingham takes control of
the water plant before coming In.
Solicitor Fl. P. Hefn is in Montgomery,
and is receiving the assistance of a num-
Der of very prominent citizens in his fight
against the bill to abolish the office Of
solicitor in Jefferson county.
This is the live week at the legislature
for lobbying and the committees will be
besieged until their work Is complete.