Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-11-06

vor of the S1st ult. in reference to
the senate.
If the suggestion is sufficiently
encouraged by personal and politi-
cal friends in whose judgment L.
have confidence, it is my desire and
purpose to become a candidate In
the Democratic primary next year
as successor to the Honorable
Thomas W. Hardwick, in the sem
ate.
have served eleven years in the
general assembly of Georgia, nine
in the house and two in the senate.
During these years of service 1
was active in the preparation, advo-
cacy and passage of several meas
ures of constructive legislation,
such as the upbuilding of a thor
ough system of public education and
adequate appropriations for its sup
port; the equitable taxation of the
tangible and franchise properties
of railroads and public service cor"
porations; the prohibition and reg
ulation of child labor in manufactur-
ing establishments; the reform OF
our election and registration laws;
the abolition of convict leasing; the
6SldDllSnIIlcHl
thorough State College of Agricul-
ture and district agricultural
schools: of the prohibition of the
manufacture and sale of intoXicat-
ing liquors In Georgia: the extension
of the jurisdiction and powers of
the railroad commission over the
services, practices and rates of all
the public service corporations In
the state, and other important sub
jects.
I declined a seat in the general
assembly of 1909-10, after election
thereto, to accept membership on
the railroaid commission rendered
me by Governor Hoke Smith. I have
been a member of the commission
since April /, 1909, and its chair
man since November 1, 1911.
am at present second vice president
of the National Association of Rail-
way Commissioners, a body COM
posed of the members of the inter-
state commerce commission and of
the members of the forty-seven
state commissions in the United
States.
During my service as a member
and as chairman of our commission
it has been called upon to consider
and decide questions of far-reach-
ing Importance alike to shippers
and patrons and to the railroads and
the other public utilities of the
state.
The commission has so handled
these matters that there exists In
this state today, between the pub
lie and the utilities serving them,
perhaps more cordial and co-opera-
tive relations than at any time since
Georgia established regulation Of
public service corporations.
The general assembly of 1915,
without suggestion from myself or
friends, appointed me a member Of
the Western and Atlantic railroad
commission, to serve without pay.
Ny associates on that commits
sion unanimously elected me its
chairman, and 1 have given two
years of work to the discharge of
the duties thus imposed, in addi-
ton to those of chairman of the
railroad commission.
RELEASING OF w. & A.
The Western and Atlantic rail-
road has been released for large
ly increased cash rental, and in ad-
dftion. upon the express consider
alton that during the term of the
new lease, the lessee shall eXpend
in permanent betterments and inn
provements on the road, for the
benefit of the state, not less than
100000.
1 have hoped that my humble,
but jealous efforts to serve the peo-
pie Of my native state, along the
lines above mentioned, may war
rant my asking them to confer upon
me the higher honor Of serving In
a field for which my past expert
ence has in a measure qualltled
me, 1 believe.
1 have never been a time server.
/ have definite and maturely con-
sidered views on the many public
questions now confronting the ma
ton, and shall at the proper time
and in the proper manner discuss
these questions before the people.
Since President Wilson first be-
came a candidate for the presidency,
I have been his admirer, his con-
sistent advocate and supporter,
without reward or the asking there
of.
1 have supported his policies be-
cause 1 believed them, generally,
right and for the best interests OF
the country. Some of them have not