The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-18
CONFERENCE TODAY
 AT STATE CAPITOL
Rate Situation Will Prob ably Be Discussed, But
 Officials Reticent

Montgomery, June 17.-(Special.)-A con ference will be held in the office of Gov ernor O'Neal tomorrow between state and railroad officials relative to the Western of Alabama and the Central of Georgia railroad rate situation. There will be present at the conference Governor O'Neal. Attorney General Robert C. Brickell, Special Attorneys H. c. Sell heimer and Samuel D. Weakley of Bir- mingham, the members of the state rail- road commission, Charles A. Wlckersham of Atlanta. president of the Western Railway of Alabama; Vice President Win burn of Savannah of the Central of Geor- gia Railroad company: Major R. E. Stein CT of Montgomery, counsel for the two railroads. and probably other railroad of ficials and attorneys.
 The exact nature of the matters to be discussed at the conference is not known though it is presumed that the rate sit uation will be the principal subject un- der consideration. The conference was arranged by Maj. R. F. Steiner, who de- clared in his letter to Governor O'Neal that both President wickersham and Vice President Winburn would be present.
 Considerable doubt exists as to the ex- act nature of the conference owing to the fact that both the Western of Ala bama and the Central of Georgia rail- roads have announced their purpose to restore the old rates that were in effect prior to the enactment or the statuatory rates in 1907 The Western of Alabama has filed notice of an increase in the passenger rate from 2ia to cents per mile, and the Central of Georgia has also signified its intention of restoring the old rates. While no ofrrcial notice of this increase has been received by the state railroad commission fl om the Central of Georgia off, ials. it is announced by the local office of this road that the new tariffs. containing the advanced passen- ger and freight rates. have been re- ceived at that office. The Western rail- way has only signified it's intention of restoring the old passenger rate.
 The conference between state officials and officials of these two roads was scheduled to take place some time ago, at which time 1t was thought that a compromise would be effected by which the railroads would not advance the rates. It was also believed that the action of these two roads, should they de- termine not to restore the old rates, would have the effect of causing the Louisville and Nashville to rescind it's action with reference to these rates. It was believed that the Louisville and Nashville might be whipped into submission by the re- fusal of the Western railway and the Central of Georgia to restore the old rates. many believing that with all the other railroads in the state adhering to the statuatory rates. enacted by the leg islature of 1907. the Louisville and Nash vile would eventually have been forced to follow the same policy.
 Many believe that the conference to- morrow may result in a compromise. though this is all problematical. None of the officials who will attend the con ference will discuss the matter. declar- ing that inasmuch as the meeting was sought by the railroad companies 1t would be unfair to attempt to presuppose what matters will come up for considera- tion-