The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-02-11
THE GOVERNOR WIILNOT TALK Asked in Reference to Special Session. MUsTvIEw SUBJECT CAREFULLY The Governor Talks of Visit of NIT.
 Bryan. The Labor Laws of the state are Pieasing to the Chief Ex-
 eeutive whe Talks of His Mfil.
 
MUsTvIEw SUBJECT CAREFULLY

Governor B. B. Conner refuses to commit himself regarding the special session of the Legislature for which the Birmingham Board of Trade has petitioned That organization desires that new bill to replace the Greater Birmingham Bill. De passed this spring.
 But it too kthe Governor long time not to commit himself.
 "Do you deem 1t fair for me to ask you whether you will call special session, Governor Comer7" asked re- porter for The Advertiser.
 For a moment there was most un- comfortable silence, during which the Governor lay back in his chair and shrewdly viewed the reporter at arms length. Then he shook his head with a long. deliberate, reluctant smile.
 Mind you" he commented with 8 smile, you did not asK me whether I was going to call . special session, and | did not answer you, It wouldn't be fair to ask such a question. It Is of altogether too great moment. wouldn't want anyone to know that had been asked such question and that I couldn't answer yes or mo- You see. before I make up my mind must view the request for q special session from every angle."
 And be careful" he warned in a yelled way. T don't want anything said about this"
 When the reporter first entered the Governors private room, Governor Co., mer said with no little emphasis, that he never gave out interviews.' as he always required that they be written out and his signature attached. though of course he denies that he attempts to be extremely cautious.
 Tn Mir. Bryan's visit this morning was there any discussion of Alabama politicsr asked the reporter.
 "None whatever" Then in appar- ent forgetfuIness of his ultimatum re- garding publicity, he continued, "Mr. his respects.
 we up here" and although the words were given significant empha- sis. he paused dramatically to leave no doubt as to the precise locality he meant, "are very. fond of Bryan. He vase a guest of my house during the first campaign, and became a very strong admirer of him. He is noble and pure character.
 "To be sure. don't believe that you can legfslate prosperity. No matter who is elected President, we will be prosperous. We are bound to be.
 But. MT. Bryan is splendid char acter." he added enigmatically.
 "A Photographic Study.
 You notice that have his picture hanging up ,on my wall over there" he added, pointing above the mantle. 'He Is with Mitchell and Carnegie in that one. Over there.v and he pointed fin another direction, ''I have a picture of him, too. taken at the Congress of Governors in -Wasiffh gton. President Roosevelt Vice-President Fairbanks" again he allowed . characteristic and most decorousf pause, land myself are fin the picturs."
 'Tn tine North the labor men are ale ways agitating about me. The Miners Convention condemned me for my views and actions. But they err. I have given orders to the office of fac. tory inspectors here to enforce in ev- cry detail the labor laws. You will find that the Alabama Jaws are supe. rior to those in every other State with laws and believe that ours are better than theirs. Here no child under 12 years is allowed to work in the mills. Between 12 and 16 there are educational provisions to be ob- 
 Mot long ago I had a lady come Into the office of my factory and ask to see she entire pIant. took her around personally. When had fin- ished with that tour I asked her to visit my village-the ''my'' had a mod l est accent--"and then after we had gone there took her through the town | proper and showed her how white peo. pie had to live next to negroes.
 When we returned asked her Now | where would you advise the people in 1 this town to work%
 Why in your factory, of course,' l she exclaimed"