The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-22
Charges That Head of Rail-
road Commission Is Serv-
ing the Railroads
WILL BE AMPLIFIED
/, IN ATTALLA SPEECH
Comer's Attack, 1t Is. Believed, Indi-
Gates He Regards Henderson as
His Most Formidable
Opponent

The first thrust of the gubernatorial
| campaign against anyone of the candi-
dates opposing former Gov. B. B. Conner
is aimed by the former governor at
Charles Henderson, president of the state
railroad commission.
In an interview given yesterday morning
in the presence of representatives of all
the daily papers in Birmingham, the for
mer governor virtually threw down the
gauntlet to his former friend and asso-
ciate
''He is one of the railroad candidates In
this fight" said the former governor. II
have seen more than one in single fight
for the governorship. He has been shown
the earth and the glories thereof from the
mountain top. but unlike the Prince of
Peace, Mr. Henderson has not resisted
temptation. He has fallen down and wor-
shipped the God Railroads.
He is their candidate for sure. He has
left his work in the railroad commission
and has gone astray fighting for the in
terests. The mark of the people is to deft-
ly cut off the right ear. The mark of the
railroads is to cut off both ears If the
people, / say. were to stroll into the rail-
road pastures they will find c. Henderson
with both ears chopped off clean.
"Mr. Henderson, who is my friend, and
of whom am more than commonly fond,
says that under my administration the
railroads paid many times more than the
people in taxes. He is engaged In trying
to cut down the tax rate of the railroads
whom he serves"
Evidently Thinks Henderson Strongest
The criticism of Governor Conner aimed
at the president of the railroad commits
! sion indicates to some that Mr.. Conner an
| ticipates from Mr.. Henderson his greatest
worry. 1t is believed that of those op-
posing him, Mr.. Henderson has been
picked out by the former governor as be-
ing possessed of more strength than the
others, and hence has aimed the above
comments at him. Moreover MIR. Conner
will make other references to the railroad
commission ere the week passes into his
| tory.
Governor Conner intends to speak Thurs
day at Alfalfa, where picnic will be
held. He will follow that up with speech
at Cedar Bluff, near Centre, in Cherokee
county. He win spend Saturday at Syl-
| acauga, where he has large interests.
Will Use "Stinger" Thursday
| He did not say so in words, but Gov
| ernor Conner intimated to press represent
tatives yesterday that, he would sting
Mr. Henderson in his Thursdays oration.
| Among other things 1t was suggested that
Governor Conner will observe that Mr.
| Henderson claims there is no railroad is
sue for a governor to handle, but that
| the railroad commission has authority to
handle the railroads. Governor Conner
will quite likely ask Mr. Henderson
Thursday why it is that he is running
| for governor when the commission work Is
| before him, and he has three years within
| which to bring the railroad matter to a
conclusion?
| Mr. Conner will also, it is gathered, bring
| Mr.. Henderson to task for reference to
| excessive appropriations and extensive au-
| thority to government departments. Gov
| ernor Conner, 1t is said, proposes to OBJ
serve that no department was furnished
with more than the railroad commission
| and no department was given such ex-
| tensive authority.
| Taken as a general proposition. the cam
paign is expected to be opened up with
some excitement right away. The other
| candidates have thus rar only talked
about Governor Conner. He has as stated
failed to recognize any of them excepting
Mr. Henderson, and that only recently.
With Governor Conner shooting at the
other candidates he Is expected also to fall
heir to some passing shots. During the
Forthcoming weeks the campaign will be
replete with pyrotechnies.