The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-03-01
Present Governor Takes a Hand in Controversy Be
 tween the Two Leaders
RATE AGREEMENT IS
 IMPORTANT FEATURE
Surrender of Railroads Is Taken by Many to Have Deprived Conner
 of Strongest Plank in His Platform
ny HUGH ". ROBERTS

The round of the ring battle between Charles Henderson and B, B. Conner, which was fought out last week would have been credited to the first named but for the interference of the governor of Alabama.
 When the governor published char aeteristic letter taking MT. Conner to task for certain remarks which that candidate is supposed to have made. and when he followed the circulation of that trench ment diatribe of. split inhnitives and mixed metaphors with the awe-inspiring threat that he would go out on the hust- ings and do more damage to the politi cal carcass of the object of his attack, practically every man hoping for the vic tory of Mir. Henderson trembled
 Nevertheless, it is indisputably true that Mr. Henderson had nothing to do with the publication of the letter and nothing to do with any differences which may have disturbed the erstwhile glow ing friendship of the present governor and the former governor. Therefore, after the first dreadful chill his friends got busy again and with their candidate con tinuing his aggressive campaign and ex- tending that campaign into every county of the state they had cause for "whoep- ing em up and becoming confident of the general outcome,
 The one real feature of the week. as far as state politics is concerned. was the preliminary agreement as a result of which the differences between the state a rri1r 1, fn 10 years and which have furnished issues strong enough for candidate, by using them, to ride repeatedly into office. will be permanently settled.
 The railroad commission. at its meet ing March 2, will ratify the treaty which has been informally agreed to. In that treaty the railroads made complete surrender. Passenger rates will be granted in accordance with the desire of the state. The no commodity bill, con- taining provisions for cheap boots shoes, socks, shirts, trousers, coats. hats or other necessities of life. and which, containing as it does, cheap beer and soapstock and other tremendously im- portant and vital subjects has always been regarded as a terrifying joke, will be augmented. The railroads, further more, will withdraw all appealed litiga- tion and will yield any projection they might have received as a result of in functions by federal judges.
 The situation is unique The railroads have met. or have agreed to meet. every demand of the state. There can be no longer railroad rate issue in Alabama
 MT. Conner is running a platform the chief plank of which is one providing for regulation of railroad rates. His chief argument is directed against the Louis vile and Nashville railroad His bitter est references-with the exception of those he makes regarding certain politi- cians-concern attorneys of the Louis vile and Nashville railroad
 The question in Alabama politics. there fore, is this: What effect will the ad- justment of the differences between the railroads and the state have on the cam paign of MT. Comer?"
 There is marked difference of opinion The Conner majors domo are endeavor- ing to create the impression that there is something crooked in. the transac- tion between the state and the railroads, that the disposition on the part of the railroads to abandon the fight is a dispo- sition one should regard with suspicion. They insist that there is still great need for Conner in order that with him sitting on the lid the railroads might not jump out Of the box again.
 The Henderson forces, on the other hand, declare that there has never been a need for MT Conner, and, there cer- tainly is no need for him at the present time; that inasmuch as he is running on an anti-railroad platform and there are no differences between the railroads and the commonwealth, that MT Conner should retire. They are pointing with pride. Furthermore to the fact that MT. Henderson, as president of the railroad commission accomplished through diplo- macy. what Mir. Conner. during his term as governor failed to accomplish. after. vast expenditure of money, by force.
 The move of the railroads will have its effect. though what that effect will be is still a matter of doubt. The situation will bear watching.