The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-09

\ The conyicuopess growing ,sS for the present at least there will be no change in the second-class mail matter rates
 Concerted opposition on the part of the periodical press of the country, backed by figures which go to show that many of the magazines would be crippled or put out of business by such an increase as was tentatively suggested by the post office department. has caused the House committee on postoffices and postroads to go rather slow on the proposition to re- classify second-class matter.
 The committee has not yet concluded its hearings, but 1t is known that the present sentiment among It's members is inclined against an increased postal rate.
 Probably the status of newspapers will not be disturbed and the weekly and monthly periodicals have occasion for lit- tie more alarm.
 On the other hand it has been decided by the committee to look Into the ques- ton of railway mail contracts also. These contracts, the publishers claim, and rot the loss on second class matter, are really the causes of the annual postal deficit. In no event, the publishers have claimed before the committee, can there be laid at the door of the daily weekly, or monthly press responsibility for the loss of s6S, 100000 referred to by the Post master General and in the message of President Taft.
 It Is said that the delay in reporting the postoftice appropriation bill has been occasioned by the difficulty of arriving at a decision as to the second-class matter controversy,
 Well informed legislators are now con fident that the rates will remain as they are and the bill may be reported out within the next few days.
 Washington, February S.-(Special,J ,J- An even million dollars will be carried in the forthcoming rivers and harbors bill for the Warrior and Tombigbee Mobile ha. bor will get s45500o, which insures In four years the completion of the project a channel of 27 feet depth, 300 feet width in the bay and POO in the river.
 The Coosa river gets S50,000 for lock f. an authorization of a site at lock 5. and s75c00 for a lock on Horseleg Shoals This s the maximum amount recom- merded by the engineers office and is all that can be expended within the next year. It is the recognition that has been sourht for the Coosa by Representative
 
 and the Seventh district member is there fore jubilant
 A liz appropriation for Mobile is. of course very gratifying to Representative Taylor, who as member of the commit- tee has obtained for the rivers and harbors of the state of Alabama practi- cal'y everything the engineers office would stand for.
 Ire million dollar appropriation for the Warrior to be followed by the $300,000 in the sundry civil bill, gives more than enough to the war department to expend in the next fiscal year. Representative Underwood has used his best efforts to get the $5oo,oo0 originally contained in the bill, increased and has just doubled it.
 The Tennessee river above Chattanooga VII get $S GOO; Chattanooga to Anniston. Hale's Bar lock and dam, $5Os75. open channel work, sS5o00o Colbert and Bee Tree Shoals, s125.00o; below Riverton, s125 GOO. Chattahooche river. s75,0O0; Con- ecuh and Escambia rivers, s5000.
 pr. E. c. Worthington of Birmingham has successfully passed his examination for appointment as first lieutenant in the medical reserve corps of the army
 Dr. Sam Kirkpatrick of Selma is the