The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-17

Montgomery, May 16-(Special)- )-Main- taining that the time has come when some one should speak in behalf of the taxpayers, that $300,O0o annually could be saved by the abolishment of useless state positions, and that the highest efficiency with the least expense should be the busi- ness rule of the state government. Charles Henderson, president of the Alabama rail road commission, today issued an inter view regarding the need of an extra ses- sion of the legislature and the benefits which might be derived from a special session.
 Mir Henderson passed through Mont gomery today on his way to Mobile, where he will attend the meeting of the State Bankers association in that city. His statement was prepared before leav- ing this city, and was in response to U question as to his views regarding the demand for special session. of the leg islature.
 MT. Henderson's interview contains suggestions as to how the state may ma terially benefit by the abolishment of what he regards as useless expenditures. He declares that the, taxpayer has met the calls of the tax gatherer for his regu- lar tax. his special tax. his privilege tax, his license tax and for his local tax, and that he is now restive over the sugges- ton that he may be called upon to meet other burdens.
 An arraignment of the present adminis- tration in regard to extravagant expendi- lures Is implied in MT. Henderson's inter- view. He declares that it would appear that "some of our officials have reached the conclusion that he who makes two officials flourish, where one formerly worked, is a statesman-that the magni- tude of our state is to be judged by the size of Its payroll.
 MT. Henderson believes that the condi- ton of the state treasury has become alarming, and that enough money could be saved from the long list of appropria- tions of the last session. without impair ing the service of the state government, to materially reduce each year the deficit Instead of drafting bills to increase the revenue of the state S1,0O0,000 per annum, Mir. Henderson would suggest that bills be introduced to cut the annual appro- priation at least $30O.000 per annum.
 MT. Henderson's interview is as follows;
 What do 1 think of the probability of an extra session of the legislature being called, and what are my views as to the real demand for such session?
 When the legislature is called in spe- cial session, as provided by the constitu- tion it must be upon extraordinary oc- casions;' therefore, the probability of the call must be based upon the hypothesis of whether or not there is an 'extraordi- nary occasion demanding such call. The calls for previous extra sessions have been severely criticised upon the grounds that no extraordinary occasion existed that would demand or justify such call. think it was probably stated in criticism of these previous calls that nothing but war or pestllence, or some such unexpect- ed happening, could justify an extra ses- sion; however, the depleted condition Of the state treasury, as it now exists, it may be, will be classed in the same cate. gory of extraordinary happenings, as IS war or pestilence and justify the call, and indeed this condition of our state S treasury is alarming.
 The advisability of the call If such call is made, could more readily be de- termined did one but know what would be done. The action of the legislature ir 1 special session is not confined to the sub l ject matter of the call. neither is it com