The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-17
TAX CASE MAY GO
 ID HIGHER COURTS Railroads Prepare to Fight
 Franchise Taxation DILLARD'S BODY FOUND Had Been Submerged Since March 10. Programme Is Announced for An
 nuaI Meeting of Alabama
 Press Association.

i dencing a strict and stern determination of fighting the state to the last ditch the railroads have applied to Gen. Robert F. l Ligon, clerk of the supreme court of Ala i bama, for records in the cases bearing l upon the franchise taxes. These taxes net the state something like s1OO,OO0 per year, l and are imposed upon all railroads enter l ing Alabama.
 Since the passage of the legislative act l inhicting the tax, the moneys have been 1 paid every year under protest the stand l taken by the railroads being to the effect l that the tax is in violation of the four l teenth amendment to the United States constitution Recently appealed cases were l taken to the supreme court, in which the lower courts had decided in favor of the state. and the text of the message from the state jurists was that the law was all 1 right in its every feature save, possibly, i so far as the taxes concerned the consti- 1 tuition of the United States. At that time i the suggestion was made that the su- 1 preme court of the United States should consider the matter the majority of the l judges concurring that the relation of the 1 fourteenth amendment to the tax should not be decided upon by state court.
 The demand of the railroads at this time for the records is looked upon as proof l positive that the cases will be appealed at i an early moment. l On a rehearing that was granted by the l supreme court of Alabama a few days ago the opinion of the court was changed to make the documents read franchise" tax instead of privilege tax. The techni cality,. in all probability, will aid the state in it's contention that there is no discrim- ination in the taxes, and that equal rights are being given all, special privileges go- ing to none. The fight will be carried on the case of the Southern Railway company vs. Samuel E. Green, probate judge of Jeffer- son county. DiIlard's Body Found. 1 The body of will billiard, the Montgom- 1 cry boy who was drowned in this city l March 10. has just come to the surface, furnishing a remarkable record of emer- 1 sion. The remains were picked up few 1 miles from the city. Peace Conference Delegates.
 Gov. B. B. Conner has named delegates 1 to the peace conference, which is to be held in Chicago May 3-5. The delegates, Is in all, are as follows: c. L. Hybart of Monroeville, Walter F. walsh, Mobile; William Garner. Ozark; Jorman D. God | bold Camden; J. J. Morris, Samson B. 1 B. Barnes Opelika; J. J. Wilet, Anniston; P. T. Vaughan, Selma; w. L. Lancaster, Wetumpka; Judge s. L. Brewer Tuske- gee; R. P. Hobson, Greensboro; James Spence, Tuscaloosa; J. L. Herring, Ash i vile; HsH White, Center: W. w. Har- alson, Fort Payne; Hector D. Lane, Court land; w. H. Taylor, Uniontown; Walter 1 Sessions, Birmingham. Successful Law Students.
 The State board of law examiners has filed with Gen. R. F. Lgon of the state i supreme court the names of those stu l dents who succeeded in passing their ex- aminations at the>recent contests of edu- cational skill held at the capitol. Those who were successful are: John w Mason, Birmingham; Berney L. Whatley, Bir- mingham: Ludlow Elmore, Birmingham; l W. H. Shaw, Leighton; John w Laps ley Selma; H. II. Fender, Anniston; James w. Wiley, Tryo; Lyman Johnson, Jr, Birmingham. Two who were tried for the legal licenses failed.
 Press Association Programme.
 The special programme committee of l the Alabama Press association, appointed | to plan the addresses and features of the annual session which is to be held in 1 Dothan June 16 and r, has reported, out | lining a fine programme of events. A 1 particular feature of the sessions is an address scheduled for C. P J. Mooney of | Memphis, managing editor of the Com | mercial-Appeal.
 The committee is made up of J. C. | Lawrence, J. Pepperman and A. B. Ken nedy, and the programme mapped out is l as follows:
 Called to order at 1O:so a. m. by Pres ident J. c. Lawrence. Union Springs. 1 Invocation.
 Address of welcome on behalf of the city of Dothan by Capt A. F. Pace Response for the Alabama Press asso- citation by Past President R. F. L. Mel, i Times Selma
 Calling roll and collection of dues Annual address of the president, J. c. Lawrence, Union Springs
 Annual report of the secretary, Jacob Pepperman, Montgomery. | Annual report of the treasurer, Frank | Crichton, Clanton.
 Report of the executive committee and election of members.
 Appointment of committees.
 Introduction of resolutions etc, to be referred without debate. ] Approval of minutes of the last an nual and special meetings. Annual oration by c. F. Striplin, Ash land Standard.
 New business.
 Announcements.
 Recess for dinner.
 Afternoon session:
 Convene at 2:30 D. n 1 Reports of group vice presidents.
 Annual poem, E. B. McCarty, Demopo- lis Times.
 Address on Journalism" by c, P l. Mooney of the Memphis Commercal-Ap- | peal.
 petitor in Envelope Printing by S. L. Deal, Dothan Home Journal. Discussion.
 Announcements.
 Adjournment.
 Second Day-Morning Session.
 Convene at 10 a. in
 Roll call.
 Unfinished business.
 New business
 Historical report by Maj. W. W. Screws.
 Report Of committees Annual essay by Hon. Walter s, Smith Lineville Headlight Report of legislative committee.
 A Paper "The Weekly Press as Pow CT for Good" F. l.. c. Ward. Taladega Reporter.
 Discussion
 | Aliournment