The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-21
JULIAN WILL AGAIN
Be CANDIDATE FOR
R. R. Commission
Declares He Favors Strict
Enforcement of Statutes
and Additional Power
to the Commission


the Alabama railroad commission. today
announced his candidacy to succeed him
self to that office Mr.. Julian bases his
claims for reelection on ''the time
honored precedent of giving second
term to faithful official, and with the
fun knowledge OF having discharged my
duties to the best of my ability
Mr.. Julian declares in making public his
announcement that he favors a strict en-
forcement of the statutes, and that. these
laws should be strengthened by additional
legislative enactments giving additional
powers to the commission. He advocates
giving the commission supervision over
all public service corporations
Mr.. Julian declares that during the two
and one-half years of his service on the
commission, 11s cases have been dock
eted and disposed of. of which number
40 per cent have been initiated by the
commission.
More new depots have been built than
within the same period in the past; more
passenger trains have been put into serv-
ice, and rates have been equalized anu
put on a parity with rates OF other
states, according to Mr.. Julian.
Following is Mr.. Julian's announce
ment:
Il have already let 1t be known that
/ am a candidate to succeed myself as
associate railroad commission, basing my
claims for reelection on the time hon
ored party precedent of giving second
term to a faithful official, and with the
full knowledge OF having discharged my
duties to the best of my ability.
Il am not allied with any other candt-
date for any office. nor am l connected
with any faction or interest; am seeking
reelection on my own merit,
THE position of railroad commissioner
| is most important and demands expsr-
| ience 1t Is generally admitted that my
| services the commission and as Il
| member of the board of assessment OF
| railroad and telegraph property has fitted
me to give better service than ever be-
| fore.
| Il favor a strict enforcement of the
statutes. and will aid in securing need
| ed laws to strengthen our present
statutes; in fact it is necessary that all
| public service corporations should be
put under the supervision of the rail-
road commission, and--strict laws for
| the regulation of these corporations
should be enacted l have long ad-
vocated a measure of this character.
| "All officers of circuit, county or
municipality, whose duty it is to prose-
cute suits. or actions on behalf of the
! state, county or city against carriers,
should be prohibited by law from rep
| resentng carriers in any capacity and
| passes should<n not be given officers OF
/ this kind under the pretext that the
| said officers represent carriers locally
in civil actions.
| "The provisions of the constitution
which requires member of the leg
islature to make known his interest in
any BILL or resolution should be en-
| forced and members of the Legislature
who represent any corporation, firm or
| individual, as attorney should not be
permitted to advocate, or oppose, leg
| islation as q member of the legislature.
"Since the recent decision in the
rate cases by the supreme court of the
United States 1t is apparent that the
railroad commission has full power
to establish reasonable rates. both
freight and passenger. Prior to the de-
cisions many of our officials were in
doubt as to the authority of the COM
mission. The legislation in Alabama
has been long drawn out, but with the
supreme courts rulings, and more re-
Gently the decisions of the federal
judges upholding the action of the
commission in fixing a reasonable pas
senger rate, we believe that the "mists
are lifting" and that soon Alaabma will
be enjoying a scale of reasonable rates
that will tend to develop our magnifi-
cent agricultural, mineral, manufactur-
ing and commercial resources.
During my two and one-half years
service on the commission 11S cases
have been docketed and disposed of; of
this number 40 per cent have been in
itiated by the commission. This only re-
fers to cases docketed. The number of
n n Iuf In 1A1 a. r.rtt1
formal hearings has, been four times
greater than ever before In the history
of the commission. This is but one evil
dence that the commission is serving
the people to a greater extent than
ever before since its establishment
More new depots have been built
and others renovated, repaired and i'm
proved than within the same period in
the past.
More passenger trains have been put
into service and the schedules and train
accommodations are much better than
heretofore.
Rates, both freight and passenger.
have been equalized and put on parity
with rates of our neighboring states.>
Much hard work Is before the COM
mission, now that the courts have sus-
tanned our authority, and the commission
is engaged in Investigations to see that
Alabama il permitted to enjoy equal
rights in rates and services, with other
sta tes.
I'm view of the vast amount of work
now before the commission. and in sight,
1t may be that I will be prevented. by
reason Of my official duties, from engag
ing in an active campaign, but feel that
the official who is attending to the duties
OF the office which he holds will be given
cue credit, and that my friends will see
that my interests are cared for in the APP
proaching primary.
'In the discharge of my official dutiec
1t has been my privilege and pleasure to
visit every county in the state and to in
quire into conditions. Many complaints
has been made TO me while or these Of
fetal visits. and I have been able TO ad-
Just numerous complaints without putting
The cnmnla ainanta to the expanSe ana