The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-29
SPEECH IN POCKET
 WHEN HE ARRIVED. Birmingham Men Back in
 Peculiar HumOr ALL ARE PUZZLED
Members Praise Conference Commit tee for COurtiOus Manner in Which the Committee
 Treated Them
By WALTER HARPER

By WALTER HARPER
 The delegation of Birmingham business men that went to Montgomery yester- day to confer with Governor O'Neal and the conference committee of the legis- turned home last night in very un- certain state of mind.
 They really did not know what had hit them. They were turned down cold by the executive and in such manner that every man felt that the blow was de- liberate. The delegation went to bed last night trying to decide whether the governors position is right or wrong. Any way they know that the chief ex- ecutive of the state had his mind made up before he had heard word that the delegation had to say.
 When he walked from his private of flee in the capitol a few minutes past 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon to greet the delegation he had in his pocket the speech that he intended and did make to the delegation after its spokesmen had presented their plea and arguments for time to consider the provisions of the proposed revenue bill.
 Reminded Them of Story
 The members of the delegation were re- minded of the verdict of the country justice. The story was repeated among the members of the delegation Tn the capitol lobby. in the lobby of the hotels and on the way home last night It seem- ed so applicable to the occasion that it was raneatad Ovar and over
 It runs as follows:
 case was being tried before a coun- try justice by two lawyers who were very anxious tL present their arguments pro and con. After the evidence was all in they announced their desire to argue the case.
 The justice deliberately scribbled some thing on his docket and put in the drawer of his desk. He then announced, "Yol fellers can speak all you please, but have an engagement to go fishing with Si Jones. He is waiting for me. We have already dug the bait and I ana going When 2 ou fellers get through your talk ing you can open this drawer and find the verdict of the court on the docket.
 The delegation. representing about 200 prominent business men assembled in the Chamber of Commerce auditorium in Birmingham Monday, which delegation was augmented by a representative dele gation from Montgomery and other towns, was warmly and cordially receiv- ed by the conference committee at noon The members of the committee heard the delegation with patience and announcd that they were willing to sacrifice their time and personal convenience and re- main in conference with the business in ferests of the state all summer to frame a bill that would be satisfactory to the majority of interests in the state. How ever the delegation was notified that to secure the recess necessary to further consideration of the revenue bill the house and senate and the governor must be consulted.
 Not Prepared for Conduct
 The business men of the delegation as they did such large and important constituency of the state. were not prepared for the positive, refusal of the governor.
 While some members of the delega- tion argue that the governor may be right in his position and that his plan may be the safest and best in the long run, there are others who express dis that they are. not to be given an opportunity to take hand in the framing of new revenue Dill if there is to be a new revenue bill.
 Some of the members of the delega- ton take the governors expression and position to mean that it is inn material whether the legislature passes a new bill. Indeed, he announced in his address that if the legislature fails to adopt revenue bill the state al- ready has a measure under which ade- uuate revenues may be raised if the pruning knife Is put deep enough into the appropriations. The governor also intimated that the custom of taxing property at only 50 per cent of it's value may be eliminated.
 The present revenue bill does not in- the insurance feature that is so objectionable to the business in terests of the state. The governor ex- pressed himself as being strongly op- posed to an extra session of the 1egis- iature and promised that he would not call one except to consider local option measures.
 These promises are satisfying to the people interested as far as they go and the visitors at the capitol yester- day tried to find satisfaction in them.
 Massey Discusses Treatment
 In discussing the result of the days work of the delegation President Rich ard w. Massey of the Chamber Of Com merce of Birmingham last night said: "Of course, we were very much dis appointed at the reception given us by inc governor. His very evident settled on the matter before he Ead even received the delegation or heard a word we had to say was keeniy dis It seems that such large representation of the great business ln- terests of the state should be accorded an open and free hearing before final decision is made. The delegation was greatly pleased with the courteous ana receptive manner of the conference committed. s-..s.
 "I must say that the members Of the Birmingham delegation are puzzled 10 know just what has happened and what to expect in the future"
 w. P. G. Harding said: "I want to say that 1 was very much impressed with the patriotism of the conference com mittee That Is all"
 Others would not talk for publication.
 number of the members of the dele gation remained over in Montgomery last night, and will be present at the leg islature today when a resolution to recess will probably be voted upon. There is not much hope expressed however, that the wish of the governor will be over rider by the legislature. Many of the members of the legislature are of the opinion that the governor is correct when he declares that 1t would be impossible to pass a revenue bill in the one day that would remain in which a revenue bill could be passed at the end of recess. Other members of the legislature. as
 
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