The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-02-09
WILL RESTORATION
Of THE OLD RATES
REMOVE Conner?
Gossip Says Action Might
Make Henderson For
midable Candidate
L. & N. MIGHT NOT
OPPOSE THE PLAN
In Addition to Passenger Rates, II Is
Said That Some of the Old
Freight Rates Might
Be Restored
BY L. $. BETTY

Montgomery, February s.-tSpeeial)-
With the approach of the next guber-
material campaign the shadow of Braxton
Bragg Conner looms larger and larger
upon the political horizon, dwarfing the
aspirations of lesser candidates, and CEN
tering the attention of the state at large
upon the probable action of the Louis
vile and Nashville railroad system, or,
of equal Importance. the decision OF the
state railroad commission in the rate
cases.
It is generally conceded that MIR. Conner
will run for governor, though whether
1t is equally certain that the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad company and its
subsidiary lines do not want Mr.. Conner
at the head of the next state adminis-
tration, and 1t is currently reported that
the railroads will do what they can TO
keep him out of that office.
In the state railroad commission the
railroads will probably find an uncon-
scious ally--not exactly a friendly ally.
but, nevertheless. strong enough friend
to wish them success in their under
taking, or better still, in their hopes.
Some of the Theories
The situation has given rise to several
political theories. In the first place, It
is reported that the railroad commissiNv
will restore the old 21h cents passenger
rate that the railroads will acquiesce,
with probably a. tentative show of re-
sistance. and that, as a result, Mr.. Conner
will voluntarily retire from the race.
With the battle against the railroads
partially won, or, sufficiently won to
cause Mr.. Comer's retirement another
candidate will loom upon the political
horizon-Charles Henderson, president OF
the state railroad commission-and the
new champion OF the people in their
fight against the railroads. Thus the man
tie of former Governor Conner will fall
upon the shoulders, of Mr.. Henderson.
This Is one of the theories. An
other Is that the railroads will volun-
tarily restore the old rates. with the
same result. Mr.. Corners retirement
and Mr.. Henderson's name heading the
list on the next ballot for governor OF
the state.
There are many grounds for these the
cries. In the first place, 1t is the
Conner has no particular desire to run
for governor other than to be placed in
a position where he can renew his hight
against the railroads. In the language
of Mr. Conner, he never likes to leave
a fight unfinished, hence with the casus
belli removed, or, partially removed,
he would not have the same incentive
to occupy the executives chair as If
the contest between the state and rail-
H. Ell In
On the other hand, II Is believed that
Mr.. Henderson does want to run for
governor, but that he will not do so
with Conner In the race Therefore,
with the former governor removed
from the field of activity. with dreams
of the senatorial toga to console him
for non participation in the guberna-
torial race, Mr.. Henderson, in the opin-
ion of his friends, would stand an ex-
cellent chance for victorN particularly
In view Of the. fact that he had taken
up the peoples fight and had scored a
partial success. i
Passenger Rate to Be Restored
Reports of the restoration of the
old passenger rate have gained much
headway during the past few weeks.
The recent annual report of the rail-
road commission showed that the pas
senger earnings in the state under the
operation of the 21s cents rate had been
the greatest in the history of Alabama.
and that, therefore, the Conner rate had
been neither confiscatory nor oppres-
sive. Again. it is said that much evi-
dence was brought out In the recent
rate hearing to show that the railroads
had prospered under the old rate. and
that, under such circumstances, there
would be no reason why the railroad
al eel cI1a NJ. earf f.
rogative and restore that rate.
This opinion has gained such head
way as to cause leaders in political
circles TO confidently expeci the restor-