The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-28

road company. Whether or not victory
will follow the state in the ntigatin that
will doubtless be prosecuted before
higher tribunal is a matter purely of con-
lecture, though there are few who be-
lieve that the same result will not be at
tanned.
Decision in Other Cases
Again, If the state has won in its fight
against the Louisville and Nashville Rail
road company officials are asking why
should not the state win in it's efforts to
secure a reduction of passenger rates on
the other lines in Alabama on which the
3 cents passenger rate is in operation?
BY practically the same process of rea-
soning those conversant with the situa-
ton are predicting the ultimate adjust
ment of the freight rates against which
there is complaint. They maintain that
inasmuch as the court has held that the
passenger and freight rates should be
considered separately, and since 1t has
been proven that the railroads made
money under the operation of the old
legislative rates, that there Is little
ground for supposing that the railroad
commission, after its victory in the pas
senger rate litigation. should not be able
to reduce the freight rates
lnuISudy EftUtS
Coming again to the peculiar conci-
dence of last Thursdays events, one of
which marked the defeat of the Louis
vile and Nashville Railroad company
and the other the most important declar-
alton which former Gov. B. b. Conner has
made since he announced his candidacy
for governor there are many people who
are impressed with the idea that they
see in the happenings of that day certain
portentious signs.
They assert that IL the principal issue
of Mr.. Comer's platform promises a re-
newal of his fight against the Louisville
and Nashville Railroad company, and
that if the task which Mr.. Conner has
planned is being performed by other agen-
cies principally the railroad commission,
he should either seek other issues upon
which to base his efforts for further
gubernatorial honors, or else expect little
of the support which he once possessed.
In plain language they ask if the de-
cision in the rate case. announced stimuli
taneously with Mr.. Comer's pledge to
secure a victory already partially won,
should not be construed as an indication
that there Is now no further need for
the former governors services, and also.
if 1t should not be construed as a rebuke
to Mr. Conner for inveighing against the
agency that had accomplished the states
victory
Comer's Speech Unpopular
1t is doubtful if Mr.. Conner has ever
made a speech in Alabama that has been
the subject of so much unfavorable COM
ment in Montgomery as his declaration
at Alfalfa last Thursday. The speech
has been condemned in parts by some
of Mr.. Comer's warmest admirers of this
city, and they have expressed the opin-
ion that they fear his utterances will re-
hound IN
While staunch friends of the former
governor. they maintain that he could
only have delivered the speech he did
under most peculiar circumstances,
brought about either by uncontrolled an
ger and passion, or else by a desire to
inject much bitterness into the campaign.
The opponents of Mr. Conner at the cap
itol and in the city declare that his speech
Is calculated to do more than anything
else to bring about his inevitable defeat
and while indignant at his attack on Mr.
Henderson, Mr. Kennedy and others. they
are firmly convinced that his utterances
will conduce only to the advancement of
other interests
Henderson Receiving Attention
Tn the opinion of many local politicians
the interests of Charles Henderson have
greatly advanced as a result of the weeks
events. First, they maintain that the
rate case decision is destined to attract
considerable attention to Mr.. Henderson
in view of the fact that to him belongs
the principal credit for the states victory
and moreover, that Mr.. Comer's attack
upon him will undoubtedly serve to large
~ increase his following.
Mr.. Henderson Is believed to have
gained much strength during the past
week. Reports from various sections of
the state indicate a great following, and
his friends are predicting his victory.
Other candidates are believed to be
holding their own, with no appreciable
gain in strength. though both Captain
Kolb and Mr.. Wallace are optimistic. and
reports received at the capitol indicate
that Mr.. Seed is in a confident mood.
WANTED-TODAY, THREE RIM
FsRs FOR DERRICK ENGINES; ONE
BOiLERMAKER; ONE ENGINE RE-
PAIR MAN; TWO FOREMEN; ALI.
FOR OUR WORK IN CHOCTAW
COUNTY. BREWER q JONES, ROOM
20 POTTER BLDG. PHONE MAIN
1884.