The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-07-14

the Wild l1Ie Of Alabama to rally to the aid, of the department"
 Attorney Generals Office
 Our investigation shows that while for merly the main portion of the work in this office was the preparation of crim- inal cases for the supreme court and the writing of opinions for state officials, it has become the gristmill for all of the states legal troubles of a civil nature and a great many of a criminal nature.
 bill passed the house of representa- tives during the winter session, ITO fur ther prescribe the authority and duties or the attorney general H. B. No. SS5, carrying these and other provisions neces- sary to the proper conduct of the office, and providing an appropriation of sl5,00C per annum. In view of the fact that the attorney general to perform the regular work Of his office. should have a force of at least three assistants at salaries approximating s25o0 per annum each, and three stenographers or clerks, the prob- ability of much litigation which will neces- sarily arise from vigorous adminstra- ton promised by the railroad commission. and of many additional and far-reaching prosecutions arising from the work Of this committee, which must first be thor oughly investigated at the expense of the state, the committee recommends the bill referred to be enacted into law and that the available appropriation be fixed at S25, 900 instead of s15000 pet annum.
 Educational Department
 In considering this subject we deal with the most vital interest of the state. Our rank in the scale of illiteracy warrants us in taking any step which will upbuild and better the educational condition of our citizens. Economy should be here as elsewhere practiced. But our educa- t--- ~l.- l. of necessary nourishment on account of financial depression.
 Normal Schools
 It is generally admitted that there are too many normal schools in Alabama.
 We advise that the Class A normal schools, four in number, shall survive, and that the Class B normal schools, two in number. shall be discontinued as normal schools but converted into high schools.
 Reformatory Schools
 The committee has visited the Girls Rescue Home at East Lake. the Mercy Home at Birmingham, the Boys Indus trial school at East Lake and the col ored reformatory school at Mt Meigs. We commend all of these institutions to the favorable consideration of the leg islature.
 Deaf and Blind School
 The Alabama School for the Deaf and Blind, located at Talladega receives a per capita appropriation per annum. and we recommend that the law be amended to make a specified annual appropriation for these institutions.
 Railroad Commission
 There was involved several millions of dollars owing by these roads to the taxpayers of Alabama in the form of over-charged freight rates and passen- ger fares. The attorneys, who had been representing the state for two or three years and who were thoroughly familiar with every phase of the question, were not asked to give an opinion. The at torney general the legal adviser of the state, was not called in consultation. Therefore. the secrecy surrounding this transaction in the eyes of these parties and apparently the railroad commission. <>obody was concerned Nobody could object. The proposition of the railroads that they be released from all liability on the several millions of coupons issued by them under the ruling of the courts was considered altogether reas- enable and accepted without question. We have through the present officers of this department made every effort to find the agreement of settlement which was signed by the railroads in advance of the conference and was as after wards executed by the railroad commis- sioners This a agrement referred to has not been found.
 We submit that no state has ever seen a more fragrant and inexcusab1e surrender of it's rights than Alabama witnessed in this instance (settlement Of rate cases). We strongly condemn 1t. We believe that the interests of our state were wholly forgotten; or, if not forgotten, made subservient to the ad- vancement of private interests.
 Archives and History Department
 It gives the committee pleasure to bear testimony to the efficiency of the state department of archieves and his- tory, to the careful and systematic con duct of its business, and to the uniform courtesy of the director and every member of his staff. The department deserves well at the hands of the leg isalture, and while no increase of sup port Is possible at the present time, its existing appropriation should be con tinued.
 This department, at expense of $1S00. publishes bi-annually statistical register. We recommend that this reg ister be published hereafter quadreni- ally.
 Executive Department, Departments
 of Secretary of State, Auditor,
 Treasurer, Convict and Banking
 Since the recess of the legislature we havA devoted our entire lime and at-