The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-10
Formal Notice Filed

Montgomery, April 9.-(Special )-Of- ficial notice has been filed with the Alabama railroad commission by the Louisville and Nashville and the South snd North railroads to the effect that on April IS the old passenger and freight rates will be restored The passenger rates will be increased from elz cents U cents per mile, and the fate5 on the 1o1 freight commodities will be ad- saneed to tho same level they occupied prior to 1907, when legislative enactment caused the reduction of passenger and freight rates.
 The notice of an advance in rates fol- loved quickly upon Federal Judge Thomas C. Jones decision holding that the Alatama acts, reducing these rates. aiwere unconstitutional and eonfseatory, and his decree allowing the railroads to put back these rates. The opinion of Judge Jones was filed last Saturday, several days after the decree had been rendered.
 The action of the railroads in putting back the old rates was largely unex- peeted, though the belief was general that some Of the freight rates would be changed. It was not believed. however, ttat the passenger rates would be in creased.
 The announcement of the change in rates has been one of the principal mat ters of discussion in official circles since the notice of these changes was filed with the railroad commission, and there has been much talk of another rate war be- tween the state and the railroads. While it has not been officially announced, it is the general opinion that the state will L IA. l and it Is expected that the war between the roads and the state will be prose- cuted with even greater yigor than for merly
 Attorney General Briclel declared that he preferred not to discuss what course the state would pursue until Governor ONeal returned to the city.
 Conference to Be Held
 It became known today that Governor O'Neal will later in the week confer with members of the state railroad commission and the attorney general in regard 10 the action to be taken by the state in refer enee to the matter. It is reported that ex- Governor Conner will be present at the conference though this rumor was not con- firmed by any official source.
 Ex-Governor Conner is at present in Florida, and while he may not be able to attend the conference this week it is be- leved that he will confer with Governor O'Neal and the members of the railroad commission in the near future.
 Just what action will be taken at the conference this week is a matter of con lecture as none of the members of the railroad commission or other state off cials would discuss the matter, all pre- {, ferring to wait Governor O'Neal's return to the city before expressing any opinion sn regard to the subject.
 During the past five years the state has spent many thousands of dollars in the rate cases. which has been no inconsider- able strain upon the treasury To pursue the fight further through the highest court in the land would probably cost thousands of dollars more before a final decision Is rendered. It is not believed that this fact will deter the state in talk ing an appeal to the supreme court and the general impression prevails that at the conference between the governor and the railroad commission this week it will be definitely decided to take immediate steps looking to an appeal.
 Railroads Prompt
 It Is regarded as significant that the railroads lost no time In filing notice of the rate changes. According to Judge Jones decree the railroads were not allowed to put the old rates into ef- feet before April 16. and the announce ment that the rates will be restored on Lat day has been freely commented upon by those interested in the mat ter.
 It is understood that shippers all over the state are vigorously protesting against bringing back the old rates, inasmuch as the roads are now de- clared to be doing a better business than ever before in their past history. This fact. together with the long, tire less litigation covering the subject, | leads many to believe that the rail- eads. having gaiped their point. would |sN1A Acontent with changing the rates in only few isolated cases. but that io great changes were contemplated. The announcement ot the restoration