The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-04-09
H. I. .DEbARDELEBEN ASSUMES CHARGE OF MERRITT CAMPAIGN Industrial Leader States He Will Wage Active Cam paign in County FREIGHT RATES
 THE VITAL ISSUE People of Alabama Need Friend in Court in Person of President
 of Commission, He
 Declares

Henry T. DeBardeleben, president of the DeBardeleben Coal company and one of the most prominent industrial leaders in the district yesterday assumed charge of the campaign of Henry P Merritt for president of the Alabama public service commission in Jefferson county. MT. De- Bardeleben issued a signed statement last night in which he said that he would conduct an active fight in behalf of Mr. Merritt and he confidently expected him to win.
 In his statement, MT. BeDardeleben calls attention to the fact that he has rever engaged in politics, having devoted his entire time to business affairs, but he said the position of head of the com- mission was one of vital importance to every business interest in the state and especially in the Birmingham district
 Mr. DeBardeleben declared that the constant increase in freight rates on coal in this district and the reduction in rates on coal from other sections of the coun- try were gradually cutting down the business from this district and would continue to do so unless other outlets were obtained. He declared that the de- velopment of the Warrior river was of- fering the opportunity, but the present attitude of the railroads was throttling these streams. Through prohibtive rail road rates from the mines and agricul- tural districts to the river, the advan- tages of the millions spent by the gov ernment were about to be snatched away from the people, he said. MT. DeBardele- ben declared that the people of Alabama needed a friend at court in the person of president of the commission and not a representative of the railroads.
 DEBARDELEBEN'S STATEMENT
 MT. DeBardeleben's statement follows:
 Il am the campaign manager in Jeff ferson county of Henry P. Merritt for president of the public service commits sion. The primary will be held on May and 1t is my purpose to conduct an active campaign in his behalf until that date. I am already sufficiently well &C., quainted with the situation to say that confidently expect MT. Merritt to carry Jefferson county and that he will be nominated.
 'I am no politician, all my training I consider this position one that materially affects every business interest in the state and particularly the business in- terestS of the Birmingham district.
 The public service commission was formerly the railroad commission of Ala hama. The last legislature broadened and enlarged the powers of this commits sion so that in addition to the super vision and control of the railroads, this nfe-cyi0 !, trol of street railways, electric light and telegraph companies, and in fact, all public utilities, and it's scope, authority and importance can be seen at a glance.
 NARROWING COAL MARKET
 This is an industrial district and our prosperity here is largely dependent upon the coal industry. The constantly mar rowing coal market, aggravated by in- creased freight rates to our markets from the Birmingham district and decreased Irelght rates to our markets from com petitive fields out of the state will in evitably affect this district adversely un- less other outlets are obtained. The gov ernment has spent millions of dollars to make the Tombigbee, Warrior and Ten nessee rivers highways of commerce for the use of the people. To get the full benefit of this development it is very es- sential that the present attitude of throt- ting these streams by the railroads should stop These rivers flow through the newly developed grain belts of the state, but with the prohibitive railroad rates from the river these grain ralsers are shut out of their natural markets end this industrial district suffers as well as the farmers of the state. The people need more than ever a friend at court.
 This commission was created for the purpose of looking after the interests of the people and it is high time that we return to the head of the commission real representative of the people and not a representative of the railroads
 HENRY T. DEBARDELEBEN."