The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-15
Hold Long Debate

 Q @The governors debated the question for an hour or more before Governor O'Neal Introduced his motion.
 During his speech Governor Aldrich re- ferred in terms of condemnation to the decision of Judge Sanborn of the United States circuit court in the Minnesota rate case.l He explained that the point of the decision was that the states intra- state rate law was unconstitutiona be- cause it could not be enforced without interfering with its operation in the au- thority of the interstate commerce com mission. This. he thought. was clearly an invasion of states rights.
 This is measure of vital importance to the states" declared Governor O'Neal, land as suchs It should be dealt with by the states through their chief execr- lives. The states ought to act in unison and voice the indignation of the entire people of the country'befor the United States supreme court. I think we ought to appoint a committee to represent us before the court
 'sWhy don't you put that in the form of a motion?'' asked Gov. James flaw ley of Idaho.
 motion.
 Opposition was encountered from sev- eral delegates on the ground that the expenses of the committee could not le- galy be paid pro rata by the states, and Governor Stubbs of Kansas moved the appointment of committee of three who could employ their own state attorneys to draft such papers as might be neces- sary.
 Under the motion the committee was "appointed by this conference to repre- sent the governors conference in the case and to file briefs with the supreme court as protest against Justice Sanborn's decision" l
 Governor Gilchrist of Florida. who as first opposed, later supported the amendment as amended, but urged that the gentlemen sleep on the question over night and called attention to the fact that the hour for adjournment had arrived His voice was drowned by cries for the motion and when quiet was restored Governor Shafroth of Col orado urged that the action of the conference be made unanimous.
 Suppose. governor. asked Governor Gilchrist, that the supreme court had already made up it's mind, would your committee go and bulldoze it into changing it's opnion?"
 The reply was lost in the laughter that followed.
 HOke Smith Supports
 Gov. Hoke Smith of Georgia sup- ported the motion.
  controls and becomes the law of the country he said, then the two light zones will so broaden that we will never see daylight again in the regula- tion of passenger and likewise freight rates. Once the question is decided this way the states railroad commis- sion will be emasculated. and then we will return to that condition where the interstate commerce commission will have no control of intrastate rates and the carriers can do exactly as they please
 Governor McGovern of Wisconsin. supporting the motion. urged post ponement upon the plea of Governor Gllchrist, but the latter announced that he supported the substitute measure.
 Governor Kitchen said then he want cd no postponement and while fayoring the principle he would oppose the mo- tion because he thought the action was beyond the conferences scope. The vote showed that he was alone in the negative.
 The 25 states whose governors voted for the motion were:
 Alabama Colorado, Florida. Georgia. Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebra ska u New Hampshire. New Jersey. North Da A kota Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvani,. Rhode Island Utah, Virginia, Washing t2n, west Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyo- r ning.
 Fl have no idea as yet how we will. Ire, seat the matter to the supreme court '' cbvernor Harmon said after the session. n have yet to talk over the subject with other members of the committee. I will call a meeting and map out d line to pursue later"
 \ ! pr Anna Shaw. the noted suffragette. lreached here late this afternoon and was lroundly applauded when she was intro- Iduced to the conference of governors hy " Chairman Noel.
 ! "Women are persons and certainly de- 4 serve protection" said pr. Shaw in her address. They are certainly interested in the administration of justice. why .c~~~~>u~~~o~~>~
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