The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-09-19
Raise Railroad Rates

Much interest, some of 1t of a political nature, eenters in the question now be- fore the railroad commission as to wheth- CT it shall permit an increase from to 215 cents in the passenger fare per- mitted to be charged on the Atlanta and West Point railroad.
 This road was charging cents per mile at the time the passenger fare reductions were made in 1907. It was one of the two railroads reduced to cents, the other being the Western and Atlantic belonging to the state and leased to the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis.
 The employees, in the course of long argument point out that this increase IS their only chance for a raise in wages and salaries: in fact, it has been put up to the commission that ahis increase in pas senger fare is the sine qua non of more wages for the employees.
 That is putting it pretty strong. And yet there is little history that Is of in- terest in this connection. It will be re- called that about a year ago or more the Georgia railroad made a somewhat sim liar showing to the railroad commission. Its passenger rate had been reduced to 2A cents and it wanted an increase to 212 cents Three times this question was be- fore the commission which finally grant ed the petition. .
 While the question was under discuss sion Chairman S. G. McLendon of the railroad commission was suspended by Gov Hoke Smith and was subsequently, dismissed from the commission by the legislature. The fact that MT. McLen- don favored an increase of the passenger rate on the Georgia railroad was one of the counts in Governor Smiths indict- ment against him, and 1t was seriously considered by the legislative committee which took considerable evidence on the subject
 The question arises as to whether action by the railroad commission favorable to the petition of the West Point road would subject any members of the commission to similar treatment? The supreme court has affirmed the right of the gov ernor to dismiss or suspend member Of the commission without assigning reasons and without giving him hearing, and Mir Smith goes back into the governor s chair again next year.
 Hoke Smith Hns No Opposition
 It is pretty well assured now that there will be no independent candidate in the race for governor subject to the regular election on October 5.
 That date is a little more than two weeks off, and there is scarcely time for an announcement to get well spread over the state, even if there were nothing else in the way. It is likely, however. that legal difficulties would be found in the way if any attempt were made to put out an independent candidate.
 The only prospective candidates who have been talked of are former Chairman S. G. McLendon of the railroad com mission and Coi. Robert G, Lowry, pres- ident of the Lowry National bank of Att lanta and a-well-known republican. The election blanks have all been sent out by the secretary of state as the law requires. 90 days in advance of the elec- ton, and whether candidate whose name does not appear on the election blank could enter race is in serious doubt. S It may now be stated with certainty, therefore, that the nominee, HolIe Smith, will have no opposition, and the predic- ton of Thomas E. Watson of Thomson that MT. Smith would have a fight on his hands will remain unfulfillcd. The congressional race, however, comes along a month later. Whether MT. Wat son will fulfill his promise relative to opposition to Congressman Thomas W. Hardwick of the Tenth and others is a problem that still remains to be solved.