The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18
TAX REDUCTION, RAILROAD
REGULATION, LOCAL OPTION
Three Important Plank in the Platform Which Mr. Hender
Announces for Gubernatorial Race

Yes you authorized say that candidate for
the gubematora nomination., said Mr. Henderson recently
81 had expected make my formal until
later considered twelve month campaign rather too long,
but nasmuch the of other candidates have
opened the campaign, and in to the many inquiries
from friends the state my Intentions make the
announcement i
81 shall not at this time mention my views all the ques
tons upon which believe the people of the state expect
PRESTON but will do later both from the stump and through
the press However there questions agatng the
public mind upon which believe the candidates for guberna
torial honors should now express his views
An unnecessary by the state is great wrong is
unreasonable exaction for service and both should meet
with equal condemnation by the people The tax that
being taken the citizens of the both individual and
corporation has reached the point where it has become burden
somets should not be- The state government should be and
can run upon economical lines so that such burden shall
not exist 1t is better practice economy than to rob the ct
by taxation The taxpayers of the state paid into the state
treasury in 1907 $3975454Oo, and for the year 1912,
$66 37OO an increase of 81 per cent in five years men
toned these increases taxation when the ega
ure in session 191 and suggested when the
bill under consideration that business methods should be
adhered to- viz that fair estimate of revenues should be
obtained and that appropriations should be cut to this probable
income as done in all good business pledge the people of
the state that II am elected governor that will veto the first
appropriation that beyond the that be fairly
anticipated without making taxes burden and further pledge
myself to the abolition of useless offices.
For many years before candidate for railroad
commissioner and before dreamed of becoming cand
date advocated publicly necessity regulating railroads.
and assisted bringing for that purpose before the
state commission and the railroad commission of
Alabama called and organized the first meeting in Alabama
that has been instrumental in regulating rates, fares and
charges of railroads. and lent energy and expended my
and whatever ability possessed wherever it had the
tendency the purpose to control these transportation
companies No in Alabama has fought longer time
earnestly to place the corporations of the state the
same plane as is the individual citizen.
Believing that experience would contribute something
toward obtaining the and desired relief became
candidate for associate railroad commissioner and elected
promoted presidency the commission to fill
Whic
have been twice elected president Of the railroad commission
thought energy to the proper ree
aton and control of the transportation doing bust
Alabama have always contended that the principal
from which control Of these companies should was
the railroad commission have advocated that the legislature
should the commission the for this
troll and then leave it to the commissions have believed
that the legislature composed is of good able and patriotic
had time, within the number Of days for which it could
sit with much other business to the attention
to proper regulation of the transportation companies that
it would take commission composed of who had unlimited
time to devote to it. who had experience who could
ngs and then judgment arrived at after these hearings would
produce the proper result am fully convinced that order
OF the railroad commission had after fair full and impartial
hearing will from the nature of the case be stronger
fore than would legislative rates. that had no such
investigation The passed by the legislature seeking to
control the railroads. all of which, MAN, tended in the
right direction and have approval have been struck down
by the courts
81 am not yet satisfied will be- until these great cor
poations which much to the state of Alabama realize
fully that they merely part and parcel of the
bama and that they entitled to the fair treatment
any other taxpayer but and when they realize that
is the purpose and intention OF the state control like the
controls the acts and conduct of its other citizens
have more and prosperity state 1t purpose
to continue with strong hand to maintain this control but
nevertheless, to be fair and just
af
political
% have always been consistent HAY have believed heretofore and affirm
unit satisfied with
be
ng the liquor had to
business be absolutely separated and eliminated politics.
egaizng
dealer political boss should and he should be
of
political leader himself neither should outside