The Washington herald., 1909-08-01

ETEZ
Birmingham, Ala, July S1.-SeveraI far
reaching propositions which affect more
or less large business interests outside
Of Alabama that are doing extensive
business in this State wifi come before
the extra session OF the legislature now
! In session.
These propositions were named In tho
call for the session and viii receive care
! ful consideration They are OF far moro
than local interest for the reason that
they are closely identified with inter
state commerce.
Aside from the fight that viii be made
over constitutional prohibition which
was one Of the features OF the governors
call and IN which the liquor interests out
side OF Alabama viii have considerable
support IN the legislature, there are pro-
posed laws Affecting insurance companies,
the textile industry. manufacturers of
food products, producers Of school bookg
and supplies. and various other interests
that have built up large businesses IN
this State
VIII Discuss the Railroads.
Among these the railroads Will como in
for additional attention. The thirteenth
proposition In the call for the extra ses-
sion calls FOR the amendment. revision.
or repeal Of any law regulating or az
/ fecting the common carriers or the rail-
road commission OF Alabama, or the
passage OF any law relating to the same.
as the legislature may deem best II
/ Is understood that this viii include tha
Strengthening OF existing statutes by
which the State claims a control OF pass
/ age and freight rates in Alabama.
In addition to this, efforts viii be nlads
70 pass laws requiring the railroads in
the cities OF certain classes, which in
clude several OF the larger municipalities,
/ 70 construct and maintain viaducts. tun-
nels, and other safeguards against acci-
dents with a view 70 abolishing grade
/ crossings IN those cities. This VIII af-
feet eight or nine Of the largest railroad
systems IN the South, and II the proposed
statutes are enacted these roads VIII be
put 70 an expense OF several million dol
lars
One Of the propositions in the call is
for the enactment Of law providing for
a rigid Inspection OF food products and
drugs sold IN the State, and IL IS under
Z
government one better in this direction.
The bulk OF food products consumed IN
this State are shipped from the outside
| Thus. II VIII be seen that the manUfac-
I turers and wholesale people who handle
these products will be largely affected.
VIII Protect Forests.
An interesting provision IN the call Is
/ FOR the protection Of the forests OF Ala
/ bama and the establishment OF a State
| commission OF forestry.
Manufacturers OF pistols. knives. and
other deadly weapons. as well as the
makers OF ammunition. viii be more or
less affected by rigid statute prohibit-
ing the sale Of these things within the
State Owing 10 the many distressing
tragedies growing out OF the indiscrimi-
nate use Of these weapons during the past
( few years. public sentiment IS so strong
| against them in Alabama that the most
| sweeping laws viii be enacted 70 abolish
I traffic ID deadly weapons
Most Of the many large textile mills
I IN the State were financed and are con-
trOlled by foreign capital. which viii Oe
! concerned in the statutes regulating the
! employment Of child labor in these insti-
tutions. and calling FOR a rigid inspection
and providing severe penalties for the
abuses which have existed. II IS pro-
posed largely TO eliminate child labor OF
all kinds In these factories, as well as IN
the mines OF the State.
Compulsory Education Possible.
Compulsory education. which Is one Of
the llvest propositions before the legisla-
ture, and which viii probably be adopt
ed, means a great increase in school
/ facilities and a corresponding increase IN
the sale OF school books and school sup
plies in this State.
The oyster and fish industry. which
develops a large business outside OF tbs
State. viii come in for complete protec-
ton. and adequate arrangements for its
Improvement VIII be provided
An interesting proposition viii be the
statute for the removal or Impeachment
OF State. county. and municipal officers
for official delinquency. This Will be an
object lesson to sheriffs and other county
/ officers charged with the duty OF pre-
venting lynchings at ali hazards-they
Will have 70 protect their prisoners or
lose their Jobs and fan under the ban Of
public censure.
Provision viii be made for an increase
! IN the number Of bank examiners and for
the regulation and establishment OF
I branch banks, as we'll as more frequent
publication OF their condition.
May Amend Fire Laws.
More rigid requirements will be adopted
relative &c the investigation OF fires and
for more comprehensive reports Of fra
losses 10 the insurance commissioner A
law viii also be passed prohibiting mig
representations, rebSting. and discrimi-
nations by life insurance companies, and
I prohibiting the issuance OF certain special
| contracts, as we'll as the sale and issu-
ance of stocks, bonds, and other securi-
1 ties in connection with the sale OF life
/ insurance A law will also be passed fx-
ing the amount of capital stock and de-
/ posit OF domestic casualty companies.
statute providing that bonds issued
! by any State government OF the United
States may be accepted as security for
deposit on approval OF the insurance CON-
missioner. attorney general. and gov
ernor, and striking out the words stocks
( therein" VIII be passed. IN other words,
stocks viii be eliminated from this pro-
4 vision
Great interest Is being manifested IN
the extra session by business interests.
outside Of the State which may be af-
fected by the various important measures
closely Identified with interstate com~