The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-07
Governors Attitude Indi- cates State Must Do With
 out Needed Legislation
ANTI-DEMOCRATS HAD
 ACTIVE WEEK HERE
Probably Realize Their Case Is Hope less, But Their Efforts Serve to Keep the Party
 Together
n. HUCH w. RoBERTs

Last week the governor of Alabama issued a statement in which he said that he would not call the newly elect ed members of the legislature in extra session and that he would not call the present members in session unless ne is unable to avoid such action.
 Therefore, the present indication is that there will be no session of the legislature prior to 1915. The gov ernor will be able to avoid calling the legislature in special session. No power can compel him to call the leg islators together The legislators can not call themselves in special session for the purpose of attending to the business which the people desire at tended to. And hope is about aban- doned.
 Sometime ago the governor issued an interview in which he said that he was considering an extra session. There was hope. Afterward he told news- paper reporters in Montevallo that he intended to call an extra session. It was then generally believed that he would do so.
 The rise and fall of the barometer which has registered the governors in-
  gard recalls the story of Finnegan. Finnegan was a conductor of train which repeatedly encountered acci- dents. After each accident he wired his superintendent at great length. When the accidents had totaled a hun dred or more and Finnegan's explana- tions continued to be fulsome and as complete the superintendent wired him to use fewer words in his tele- grams. So when the next accident oc- cured the conductor wired into head quarters:
 It has been of again, on again, gone Finnegan."
 It has been "of again, on again, gone again" with the special session At the present time tue indications are that it is of again Before another week it may be .'on again
 It is generally known that there is urgent necessity for an extra session. Last fall the governor pointed out matters which the legislators could att tend to only in extra session. But there is evidently some obstacle in the way.
 After a visit to Tuscaloosa and Bir- mingham, the governor on returning to Montgomery issued a statement in which he declared that from his ob- servation the call for an extra session emanated only from Birmingham. He declared that prominent people in Tus- calOOSd ndu duN1Seu dSdinSl dil ttAtTd session.
 The governor has heard the call which emanates from Birmingham. But he has failed to hear the call which is general. Some months ago the members of the legislature were asked by local people who desired the anti fee amendment of Jefferson county put into effect if they thought an extra session was imperative, if their local needs were of sufficient importance to justify an extra session. majority answered in the affirmative. Later the Anniston Star took a poll of the mem bers of the legislature. The same yer dict was even more emphatcally de- livered.
 Jefferson county's need and Birming- hams need are greater perhaps than any other county or city. Jefferson's s growth has been curtafled by the per nicious fee system. The people have spoken in unmistakable language against that system It can only be de- stroyed by the legislature and if ii is destroyed before the expiration oi another four years the credit will be due. to tho governor. If it is not, the governor will be responsible. Birming- ham must increase it's rate of taxatior or continue to run behind at the rats of 5000 per day. Ahniston, Selma, Tus caloosa, Gadsden-all growing munic. ipalities-are confronted with similar troubles Their growth is check ed their prosperity blighted. Relief can bt had only through an extra session.
 Jefferson is only one county and Bir mingham only one city, But the peo. pie of this county and city pay one eighth of the taxes of the state. Int governors commissioners have slep around Birmingham and Jefferson county like Grant slept around Rich mond They are here again. It seem.