The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-01-23
CANDIDATES VIGOROUS IN ANNOUNCING FOR
 UTILITIES COMMISSION
KENNEDY SAYS HE WANTS TO MAKE HIS RACE PRIMARILY ON HIS TRAINING AND FIT NESS FOR THE PLACE

Montgomery, January 22.-(Special) Sam P. Kennedy, president of the Ala bama public service commission, today gave out a candid and forceful statement announcing his candidacy to succeed him self as president of the commission. Presi- dent Kennedy calls attention to the fact that he has been with the commission since 1907, having served until recently as secretary, position which called for lex pert Knowledge of railroad rates and regulations and continuous hard work"
 My record and that of the commission for the last F months show conclu- sively that you have an independent tribunal, uncontrolled by any sentiment except the desire to deal justly and hon. estly with every interest" he declares. FORMAL STATEMENT President Kennedy states in a frank man. ner that since boyhood his life has been devoted to railroad ana public utility sub lects, and that since coming with the commission nine years ago he has en- deaVored honestly and coura geouSly to discharge the duties of his office. He declares that 'it is an insult to the intel ligance of the voter to ask his support IOi plcSiueHI Ol lHe puUllC SefNice cOHl- mission because l am a prohlnitionst or local optionist and candidate who will do this probably has no other fitness for the position
 President Kennedy's statement is as follows
 T am a candidate to succeed myself as president of the Alabama public service commission formerly railroad commits sion of Alabama)
 When the people of Alabama deter mined to regulate the railroads and fix their rates in 1ov., was called from pri- vate life and given the responsible posi- tion of secretary of the railroad cou1- mission. one that called for expert knowl- edge of railroad rates and regulations fought every step of the way by the railroads, but finally succeeded, as the people of Alabama know
 There has never been any effort to take from me a part of the credit for the lowering of the passenger and freight rates in Alabama. T served as secretary until Governor Henderson promotion vacated the office of president a year ago, and I was then promoted to the presidency of the commission. My record and that of the commission for the last 12 months show conclusively that you have an independent tribunal, uncon- trolled by any sentiment except ,ne oe-
 
 every interest.
 "The people of Alab bama are entitled to know my views on public questions involved in the duties of a public serv- ice commissioner and my fitness for the position My life since boyhood has been entirely devoted to a study of railroad and public utility subjects, and no man who has served on the railroad commission during the last nine years will deny my ability and my honesty in the discharge of my duties. TIRED OF SUCH POLITICS q shall not appeal to the people for support because I am a prohibition tst, local optionist or member of church all of my life. I believe the people of Alabama are tired of inject ing into campaigns questions that are already settled and should cut no fg- ure in their decision for the future con. trol of the public utilities of Alabama.
 'It is time the candidate should be honest with the people and the people should demand candor from the candi- dates. It is an insult to the intelli- gence of the voter to ask his support for president of the public service commission because I am prohibit tionist or local optionst, and can didate who will do this probably has no other fitness for the position,
 "In addition to regulation of pas senger and freight rates the people are entitled to such service, facilities and safety as the most modern railroading will permit. The comfort and con- venience of our people while travelling, favorable schedules and convenient stops do appeal to our people and are questions that should be wisely dealt with by the commission.
 "The regulation and control of tele- graph, telephone, water power, light traction and other companies have been added to our duties, and the commits sion is even now busily engaged in taking hold of these matters to the end that the people shall receive from these companies proper polite, reasonable and just treatment. I have not been selected by any clique or set of men, but am running on my own record and fitness, part of which has given you lower passenger and freight rates. l shall have occasion to make other pub- lie utterances which I shall ask the people to consider"