The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-11
COMER COMES OUT FOR MR. HENDERSON Would Be Calamity to Defeat Him for Office ACTIVE IN THE WORK Former Governor Says Railroad Com
 mission Has Been Identified With
 Rate Fight For Past 20 Years
ACTIVE IN THE WORK

Governor Conner indorses the candidacy of Charles Henderson to succeed him self as president of the railroad com mission, subject to the democratic pri- mary, April l, 1912, in the following let ter:
 E Hon. sam P. Kennedy, Montgomery,
 Ala: 4'
 My Dear si-Yours regarding tie can didacy of Hon. Charles Henderson to succeed himself as president of the rail- road commission received and. noted. A7
 Mr Henderson has been inA the freight irate reform fight for more than 20 years he was an active co-Worker in the se- curing of the present law making the commission elective and giving them more power.
 Southeast Alabama, largely through his active work and influence, always stood soldly that these important policies should be enacted into law and carried out MT. Henderson, next to me- was one of the first two commissioners elect ed by the people. When | was made governor l advanced him to the pres- dencx..o the comm iss .Ir.esAs. D. Nesbitt to take his place, and on the death of MT Harris made Iopr JQhp A. Eusk commissioner in lis place This commission, composed of Charles Hen derson, w. D. Nesbitt and John A. Lusl1 one of the best that this state, or any state, ever had.
 When the legislature of 1907 put in the 2is cent passenger rate and the 1l0 arti- cles of common production, consumption and use, known as the Conner rates, which greatly reduced the freight charges. When these laws were enjoined by Judge Jones on the declaration of the railroads that they would be confscatory and de- stFuetYe, the commission was at the same time enjoned by the same judge from iptprfprir1o ha tpc in any way whatsoever.
 After the appellate court at New Or leans had dismissed the injunction and ordered the rates put on trial and Judge Jones ordered through his masters an investigation of the effects of the rates as to whether or not they were con fiscatorY and destructive. These masters have lately reported that the rates were confscatory and destructive and the final decision is now up to Judge Jones.
 Pending this decision the commissioners were requested by the states attorneys in the case not to interfere with any of the rates. as it might interfere with the equanimty of the court However, the coWmissoners. Messrs. Henderson, Nes- bitt and Lusk. established for Alabama an equaliZed and reduced express tariff which has greatly benefited every ship per of the state, particularly the Mobile 1ish, oyster and truck business, and the irtrastate truck and produce business everywhere.
 MT. Henderson understands the q1ies- ton and has been fair and would he of material use To the producers, consumers and merchants of the state. both as to express and freight rates and rdles of comity between these corporations and theh patrons.
 The Hop. Cy Brown-ve veleeled -seeretary Of state, with nearly three years more e ft.t. of -staie's office a long time. I think makes a good one. Win add that l voted for him. Mr. Brown has never joined in the freight rate contest, and l think is ignorant of the seriousness of the ques- lions involved. ] cannot understand what influence moved him, and why he should wish to leave the secretary of state g office, which he understands, and sup plant Mir Henderson as president of the railroad commission, business which he does not understand. !"
 The railroad commissioners, formerly appointed by the governor, paid by the railroads. dominated b. the railroads, was of little use to the people Through the work of MT. Henderson and others. they were made elective and given more power and it is due the people that this com mission should be entirely free from the environng control of the, railroads,' and that they should carry out the full in- tent of the office that isa protection of the shippers of the state from the dominance and cupdity of the railroads
 Not only should the people he most careful now 10 select q man whop they krow is competent and in full accord with these policies they should also look forward two years and have the two associate commissioners. both of them competent and in full accord with their expected duties.
 n, .ls4,aa to the shippers of the state if MT Hen derson is retired and Mir. Brown. our present secretaryfof 'statei is pnt. in his stead Very truly. B. F. eCOMER.s