The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-01

such progressive states as New York. In- | dianas New Jersey. Virginia, the Caro- linas' Ohio, Pennsylvania and others
 Public Utility Commission Probably one of the most important questions which will come before the next legislature is that of the establishment of public utility commission Such a commission would have powers similar to those of the present railroad commission, though much wider in scope. For instead Of railroads and street railways the utility commission would have super vision over all public service corporations such as water power and electric com panies, steamship lines, telegraph and tel ephone companies, ferries and all other public utility concerns
 That the next legislature will endeavor to establish a public utility commission there is little doubt, and it is also prob able that the state lawmakers will at tempt to make the members of the com mission appointive rather than elective.
 Many progressive states of the union have public utility commissions and in nearly all of these states the members of the commission are appointed by the gov ernor. The membership of the commis- sion varies from three to seven, Pennsyl- vania having the maximum number. But in Ohio, New Jersey and New York the membership is three, while other states have as many as five. In practically all of these states, however, the commission is appointed by the governor and it is certain that the next legislature, in att tempting to establish such a commission In Alabama, will seek to provide a siTnf- lar method of selection in this state.
 WOman's Suffrage
 The next legislature of Alabama will be asked to vote on the question of woman's s suffrage. So far can be ascertained, no member has yet come out as the cham pion of womans suffrage, but it is known that the subject will be much mooted one during the next legislative session.
 The legislature will also be asked to pass workmen's compensation laws. as well s measure fixing the hours of employment of women and children.
 Mothers pension laws Is another ques- tion that will come before the next leg islature, according to reports It is pro- posed to provide a pension for widows who are left with children without means of support, and it is announced that a bill has already been drawn with that end in view.
 Other measures that will come up for consideration will seek to provide addi- tional regulation of the money lending business, new laws regarding public health and prison conditions, and multi tude of other subjects too numerous to mention.
 The legislature will, of course, ratify the congressional amendment relating to the election of senators by direct vote, and it is also certain that it will consider many questions of law reform. The re- distrcting of the state will certainly en- gage the attention of the states lawmak- CTS, though to what extent it is impossi- ble to tell.
 The writer has learned that the legsa- tive mind contemplates all of the above questions. There are many other sub- jects that will come before the next leg islature. but it will be impossible to enumerate them until the new lawmakers are actually in session For few can read the legislative mind, and none can fathom it's depth.