The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1915-01-30
RAILROAD CASES
MAY COME Up AGAIN
Commission Probably Will
Restore Classification
Prior to Agreement
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, January 29-(Special D
Despite the fact that it is apparent that
reither the legislature nor the railroad
commission Is filed with determination
to revive the old warfare against the
railroads and other corporations doing
business in Alabama, nothing seems to be
more certain than that either the COM
mission or the legislature will restore
classification 35-that which was in force
prior to the compa ratively recent temper
airy agreement.
AS is remembered, during the guber-
material campaign, much was said by an
u-Henderson forces regarding a trade or
a compromise or a Surrender to the
railroads. Following the nomination of
Mr. Henderson, the commission, by unan-
imous action, put into effect a new classi-
fcation, classification 40. 1t was provided
that this classification should be in forca
until June 1. The railroads commended
that the desire on their part that CLASH
fication 40 be substituted for 50 was due
to the fact that 40 was more effective
than 80 in establishing uniformity of
classification throughout the three classifi-
cation territories of the United States.
On the other hand, some of the business
organizations of the state, notable one OF
Birmingham composed principally of
shippers, have complained that classified
ton 40 is exceedingly drastic. in that it's
rates show large and "extortionate" ad-
vancement over the rates of classification
35.
Anticipate Action
There is no question but that the
people are anticipating some action
regarding the recent change and are
anticipating that that action will be
initiated by the commission, two of
the members of which were elected
despite their violent denunciation OF
what was said during the campaign
to have been a trade between the COM
mission and the railroads. As a matter
of fact the commission is considering
the restoration of classification 3d. and
the reopening of the case. In other
words. it seems to be the plan Of the
commission to restore the situation
which existed prior to the recent set
Element and then determine the JUS
tice of the contention of the railroads
that something for them should be
done.
In the event that the commission
does not act in accordance with the
above idea, 1t is safe to state that the
legislature will do so. There is no
secret made of the fact that legisla-
tors of both houses have informally
discussed the situation and have in
formally indicated that they would act
unless the commission will have acted
by the date of reconvening following
recess.
AS to whether or not the people
would support with their sentiment the
contemplated action is unknown. It is
believed in Montgomery, however, that
while the bulk of the campaign
charges was without sound basis, the
people would like for the case to he re-
o1 In nr1o 1,nt haf dc
sion of men not connected with the
old commission the railroads and the
people may be done justice. The impres
sion is that should the railroads make
out their case, their request should be
granted.
The desire seems to be that the rail-
roads make out their case.