The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], May 01, 1914, Page 9, Image 9

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

Image provided by: University of Alabama Libraries, Tuscaloosa, AL

                
FIRST NATIONAL’S 1
MONTHLY REVIEW
^Mexican Situation Has Ab
sorbed Business Attentions
WOULD HELP TRADE
War Would Stimulate Demand For
Foodstuffs, Live Stock and Cot
ton (Foods—Railroads In
East Suffering
The First National hank's financial and
Commercial review, dated May 1, is as
follows:
"During the past two weeks the com- '
plications with Mexico have engrossed
public attention to the exclusion of al- ■
most all other matters, and for a few
days it looked as though actual war,
whether declared or not, was Inevitable.
At this writing, however, it seems that
there is a possibility for success in the
negoilations undertaken by the diplo— ■
niatic representatives of Argentina. Bra- 1
zll and Chile, as our government and both
the warring factions in Mexico have
agreed to the mediation.
"The disturbances in Mexico for the
Past 14 months have been of such a char- '
acter and have involved so large a loss
of life and property, that the United
States capnot be expected, either in Jus- i
ttce to its own citizens or with proper re- 1
spect to its obligations to other na- 1
tions under the Monroe doctrine, to stand j
Idly by and permit such conditions to con
tinue. Our troops now occupy Vera Cruz, i
the principal seaport and port of entry of
Mexico, and it seems probable that they
will remain for some time to come.
Protectorate May Result <
m “Our government will doubtless demand 1
the establishment of an administration In !
Mexico that it can recognize, and it seems j
to be the general opinion that if war 1s t
averted we will be obliged to exercise a 1
kind of protectorate over that country 1
for several years until order can be com- 1
pletely restored. The alternative seems j
to he a march to the City of Mexico and i
active military operations throughout the I
so-called republic. While always disclaim
ing any intent to acquire additional ter- '
ritory, tit© United States has, for more 1
than 100 years past, beginning with the ,
Louisiana purchase, been an annexation- j
k ist on a large scale. By our treaty of ,
peace with Mexico in 1848 we acquired !
the territory now included in the states '
of New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Ne- .
vada, Utah and California, and but for ,
the slavery issue, which was acute at
that time we would have doubtless taken
over much territory south of the Rio |
Grande, comprising the Mexican states of ,
Sonora, Chihuahua. Coahutla, Nuevo Leon
and Tainaulipas. should the present dif
ficulty culminate in war, it is safe to ,
I assume that these states at least, if
not a larger area, will be retained per- '
manently by the United States. They are |
• cry rich in mineral resources and are ,
sparsely populated, and offer a splendid
field for development by American capi
tal and enterprise, under stable govern
^ ment conditions.
War and Business
"The immediate effect of war upon biis
incss won:,: probably be beneficial. The
demand for live stock, cotton goodB and
foodstuffs would be greatly stimulated,
ami the market for coal and iron might
also he benefited lo some extent.
"The war with Mexico in 184U occurred
at a period of commercial and Industrial
depression similar to that now exlcting.
The panic of 1S37 had been followed by
several years of business distress which
even (he Walker tariff of 1842 had not
been able to alleviate. Conditions grad- :
ually improved during the course of the :
war and shortly after its conclusion the
discovery of gold in California gave im
petus to a boom which lasted for iev
eral years.
"When the war with Spain broke out
iu April, 1898, we liad not recovered
from the panic of 1893 with its after
math of general stagnation, and the ef
fects of the ningley traiff of 1897 had
up to that time proved disappointing
to its sponsors. A sharp revival fol
lowed the declaration of war. stocks
began to move upward and bv the
dose of the year we were well launched
Into what proved to he the greatest
era of prosperity the country has ever
known ^and which continued until tiie
L fall of 1907. In the opinion of manv
a like upturn would occur in event
.of actual hostilities with Mexico,
. though it is pointed out by some that
- the policies of the present admlnfstru
- tion are very different from those of
.2 'he one in power In 1898. The protec
tive principle Was recognized in the
ta, lrf lhen existing and attacks on
• ' corporations wore not then popular.
It is still too early to pass judgment
upon the Underwood tariff law, as It
- is difficult to analyze and correctly ap
= <
I $ i
-g \
IS BORATEO
. ■■ ■■ ' Na- t
z 1
f* r
r t
I ;
t r
8 i
r a
s
1 i.
£ <5
2 — ■ .... - <1
|_HOTELS C
E ■
■ a. 1
e i
I :
C ■
r. ®
5 E
£ c
» f
I s
25 f1
25 a
* i
£ r
$ •
P ■
Sf f;
■
•*
i
§
t !
^ I
r l
|
I
A VOLUNTEER JURYMAN
By CHARLES H. MA>DV
In times of war it in undoubtedly true
hat "one volunteer is worth 10 presses! '
nen," but it is much different in times
• f peace and a volunteer may not only
trove & nuisance but may cause embar
assing complications. An incident of
his character occurred yesterday in the
‘ircuit court of Jefferson county in which
i volunteer juryman came near "balling
hings up and causing a delay in the
rial of an important case.
As is well known, several juries are
rganized in each court for the week,
n order to keep the courts at work
nd to give opposing counsel sufficient
uryment to "strike" or select a jury.
>n Wednesday afternoon a jury was se
eded to try a damage suit in the dlvl
fon presided over by Judge E* C. (’row.
ts there were quite a number of wit
tesses the case was stfit pending when
he time for adjournment"'came, so the
ury was excused until 9:30 the following
Lay.
The next morning **ne of the extra
urors walked into court and took a seat
n the jury box. One by.one the regular
urors came in and took a seat in the
>ox and by the timg the court con
ened every seat was occupied, the "vol
inteer" juror being o*e of the number,
ludge Crow observing the jury box filled
irdered the trial to proceed and ordered
he extra jurors to report to the other
iivision of the court over which Judge
-• B. Smith presided.
Just os the court was called to order
he missing regular juror came into the
ourtioom and seeing that his place was
illed and that the other jurors had been
=ent to the other division, concluded that
or some reason his services had been
lispensed with, so he went to Judge
smith's court and when the jurv was
mpaneled he was selected as one of the
lumber, and was given a seat in the box
n that division.
Roth trials were in progress at the
loon hour and the juries were sent to
>ly the principles of cause and effect,
t is nevertheless true that grave
loubts are beginning to arise as to the
>eneftts of this act as far as the Bir
ningham district is concerned, and it
s pointed out that the destruction of
he sugar interests in Louisiana has re
ulted in a serious curtailment in The
► usiness of Birmingham foundries and
nacliine shops and has adversely af
eeted the demand for coal. The re
noval of all duty on pig iron and eer
ain steel products appears also to heve
larrowed the markets of the Blrming
1am mills and furnaces.
"The excess of exports over imports
n this country, constituting the com
nerdal trade balance amounted in Jan
iary. 1913, to $63.969,492. in 1914 to
• 49,328,155. in February. 1913. to $41,
183.024, in 1914 to $23,871,457 and in
•larch. 1913, to $31,981,213 against $5,1
84,131 this year. The figures for March
vould indicate that the trade balance
n our favor has almost reached the
anishing point.
"The necessity for intelligent appli
ation of modern methods in mamifac
uring is fully realised, but apprehen
iion as to the effect of the bills now
lending in Congress regarding combi
nations of capital employed In indus
rial enterprises has made it almost im
tossible to bring about mergers which
vould result in economies of admin
stration and increased capital for de
elopment.
Railroads of the South
,sSotne of the railroads i nthe south
nr - reporting fairly satisfactory earri
ngs, but many of the larger systems
n the east have suffered serious loss
>f revenue. Ten leading roads report
let earnings for the month of Feb
uary this year $9,300,807 against $14,
37,370 for the corresponding month in
he previous year, and the effect of the
iresent political sentiment in discour
sing investment of new’ capital in en
erprises is reflected in the capital
isation of new’ corporations during the
Irst quarter of the present year, the
Igures being as follows:
1913. 1914.
'anuar.v .$332,450,000 $120,060,000
February . 191.500,00ft 51.575,000
Jaroh .. 166.030.ft00 57.700,000
"The total for the three months of 1911
s $229,325,000 as against $689,980,000 for the
a me period in the preceding year. How
ever, the blame, if any, for present con
litions does not attach to the admtnis
ration, nor to Congress, who are merely
epresentative. and as long as the people
hemselves believe in an excess of re
tralnt, restriction and regulation, just
o long will business depression and hesi
ation continue and industrial peace, pro
cess and prosperity be delayed.
"In many parts of the country there
re signs of uprest in labor circles, and
he strike in the coal mining districts of
Colorado has within the past week re
ulted in much violence and bloodshed.
ias passed beyond the control of state
uthorities. and federal troops have been
ent into the state to restore order.
'•It Is expected within the next five or
ix w’eeks that the interstate commerce
ommission will announce Its decision
ipon the application of the eastern roads
or a 5 prt1 cent advance In freight rates,
f credence can be attached to state
ments of reputable banking bouses in
lose touch with railroad affairs, an in
rease in the net revenues of the rail
oads Is imperative, but opinions differ
s to the outcome. Some think that an <
icrease in rates will be granted, while ,
thers hold that none will be allowed,
ut that the railroads will be advised hv ,
he commission as to how they can In- (
rease their Income In other ways. ,
"The absence of railroad buying is af- ,
acting the iron and steel Industry very
nfavorably. as Is reflected in the state- .
lent of the United States Steel corpora
ion for the current quarter, which shows
deficit after paying dividends of about
1,289.000. Tt Is thought that the present
roduction Is at about 60 per cent of ca> '
acity. with new business in about tt/9
ame proportion. !
Industrial Conditiona /
•There ha* been no partlcul*r rha>/g? |n
idustrlal conditiona In the Birmingham
Istrlct since our last report. He Ai foun
ry 1* held at Cl. but actual Ales are
mall. The cast Iron ptpe t/ople are
omplalnlng of scarcity of rgMers. and
ime of them are carrying 'Arne storks
■hlch have been sold, hut a/e being held
P by the purchasers. There are. how
rer, some bright spots: t»A farming dta
rlcts are In good sharay and In this
lata an excellent start has Deen made
n the new crop. The Report* from the
heat growing dlstrt-As indicate as a
srtainty a bumper yhiVt of winter wheat,
Ith very favorable nfroapects for spring
nsat, and the situr^on as far as money
concerned is ext<CTfmely nBy
The work of Organising the federal
•xorve banka Is A regressing raPiaiy> and
“nouncement As been made by the
■eaaury department that they will be
sady_ for «p<srr.tlon by August 1, so no
pprehensbin, theed be fen as to abund
nt funds/for crop moving purposes this
m&&T.IONAL bank of Bt»
PERSONAL
J- McBride of K’elleraaan. Ala., who
ft /Birmingham April » for Hot Uprtag*
"/ bla baattb. has been very 111 for 18
/bntha. but reperts that he thinks bla
lealth la Improving. He win be gone
>r several weeks.
File Answer to Suit
New Tork, April The Lehigh Val
ty Railroad company and other defend,
nta today filed answer to the govern*
isnt'a suit for the* dissolution of tha
listing relations batwaaa the railroad
»mpany aad tha varleua oaal produclag
lUilL-V X i -Xv".
he same hotel for dinner. While in the
lining room members of Judge Crow’s
jury recognised the missing Juror and
isked the reason for his being excluded
from the jury to which In* had been
‘elected. The juror replied that he had
lot been excused, but that when he came
nto the courtroom that morning he
saw the jury box was tilled and had
reached the conclusion that his services,
liad for some cause or other been dis
pensed with.
The "volunteer” was then questioned,
who stated that he had taken a sent
in the jury box, not lining aware that
1 jury had been impaneled, and that as
no one raised object**:.s, he concluded
that his presence was acceptable to all
parties and therefore held his seat. The
matter was discussed by both juries and
the conclusion was reached that the "vol
unteer" had no right to sit on the jury
ind that any verdict they might render
would be invalid.
It had been a comparatively eae*y mat
ter for the "volunteer" to get. on the
jury, but how to get off without caus
ng complications was quite a different
thing. Rut he proved equal to the occa
sion. Ho commenced to grunt and groan,
and wiggle ami twist; he con^pla'med of
acute pains in every part of his body
and then "threw" a near itt. It may
iave all been put on. out ho looked and
acted like a star patient In a hospital
for incurables. He was finally carried up
stairs and put to bed.
The other 11 jurors went back to the
c»ourtroom and reported the sickness of
the juror. The attorneys on both sides
were not willing to drop the rase, as
[hey were nearing the end, so agreed to
•ontinue the trial with the remaining
U jurors and the case was thus brought
o a conclusion.
It is said that the "volunteer" vows
hat he will never again enter a jury
x>x unless by direct command of the
iudge and even then be will ask the
uiidanee of the bailiff. Both cases were
lisposed of, the juror first selected was
properly drawn on the second case and
[he sickness of the volunteer" eliminate*!
lim from the other, so that no harm
was done and. as Bill says, "All’s w*?ll
hat ends well."
NIGHT SESSION IN
CRIMINALCOURT
[Jeorge Davis Convicted of Man
slaugh and Sentenced to 10
V ears In Penitentiary
Judge W. E. Fort of the criminal
L'ourt held a night session last night
in the case of George Davis, charged
.vith murder. The case went to trfcal
yesterday morning and In order to
complete it a night session was held.
At 11:15 Judge Fort completed his
,'harge to the jury and at 12 o'clock
the Jury returned a verdict of man
slaughter in the first degree and fixed
his punishment at 10 years in the pen
itentiary. Solicitor H. F. Heflin amd
Hugh la.ckc represented the state.
The case of Gus Carapiei, charged
with the murder of his wife at "Ens
ley, is on trial in the first division of
the criminal court. Judge S. E. Greene
presiding. Quite a number of wit
nesses are summoned in the case In
cluding a number of physicians who
have been called to testify as to thj
sanity of the accused. The state has
Juncluded Its testimony and the de
'ense is examining witnesses in ref
erence to the plea, of the defendant,
who pleaded not guilty by reason of
insanity. The trial will be resumed this
■norning.
Deaths and Funerals
James P. Blackman
Funeral services will be held at 2:30
r'clock this afternoon at the Avondale
Baptist church over the remains of
lames B. Blackman, aged 63 years, a
'oreman of the Birmingham Railway,,
Ught and Power company, who died
l'hursdav morning at the family resl
lenoe, 4312 First avenue. Interment will
>e In Forest Hill cemetery. The de-,
•eased Is survived by his widow ar/ft
WO sons. ~
Capt. D. C. M. Young Buried
Decatur, April 30.-(Speclal.)-Thc ' fu
feral of Capt. D. C. M. Young, ftp. 2j
.ears chief of police of Decatua, took
place yesterday afternoon. All 4yay thf
’lag on the etty hall was at htflf mast
ind the city offices were clo.W(j <j„r|n(.
the funeral, as were many o4> the bust
less houses. Circuit court, /which was
in session, adjourned for tjje funeral
Captain Young was one* of tlle bca,
cnowm and most highly rejected officers
•rnm oV,1rt °/ th* He retired
Trn. ,?r a. Z year<l/»8o and at the
Ime of his death he wUs living on his
arm near Decatur.
C. C. ;P row n
Chattanooga. Ara-P 30.-(Special.)-C. C.
Brown of Valley rjead. Ala., died at a
ocal hospital th/j morning. The body
vas sent to WaV Py Head for Interment
his afternoon.4
Samuel G. Sherer
Jasper, /^rll 30.—(Special.)—Samuel
!. Shereryone of Walkers oldest and
nost h drhly respected citizens, died
* l?i," last night. He is survived
I.v his/wife and a large family of chll
ren. ,Thr Sherer family 1s one of the
in the county, having moved
‘•"/years ago from South Carolina.
£JGE LOY, Undertaker. Phone 700.
JOHNS Undertaking Co. Phone KM.
Stop
Your Laundry
Worries
At Once
and
Phones
225 and 226
- ' -i. .... . rj'
I
Bessemer. April 30.—(Special.)—The sec
sond day of tht; third annual York Rile
I? reunion of Hessoiner lodge No. 4f»$. An*
| cient Free and Accepted Masons.and Bes
I Member chapter No. 110, Royal Arch Ma- ■
Mons. convened at the hail this morning J
at 10 o'clock. Thetrtdnutes of the second
York Rite reunion, which was held Thurs- '
day. May 29. 1913. were read, after which
the address of welcome was delivered by
Gardner F. Goodwyn. At 10:30 o'clock the
mark master degree was conferred by a
carefully selected team composed of
companions from various chapters pres
ent.
Adjournnrent was taken for lunch at 12
o'clock and the meeting: reconvened at
2 o’clock at which time the past master
degree was conferred. At 3 o'clock the
most excellent master degree was glvcu*
At 7:30 o’clock the Royal Arch decree
was conferred by Excellent Companion
George A. Beauchamp, grand seci/etary.
An address was made by Grand..“Master
H. C. Miller of Birmingham. Ttoe lodge
then adjourned to partake of a/*umptuous
l>anquet furnished by the local order.
While there were no set sp/yechps a num
ber of short impromptu talks were made
that were highly apprecVared and well re- '
calved.
Among the out-oef-tfewn guests present
were: Grand Master Walter Smith of
Tuscaloosa. Georgy A. Beauchamp, grand
secretary; Grand/Master Giant Miller, Mr. !
Uppinoott of Memphis. Max Hex of
Raleigh. James^Cox of Florida and others. ;
The Besserjier Culture club entertained I
this a f term gin at the home of Mrs. l\
F. Robinso/i on Berkley avenue, the oc
casion bejpg guests' day. The reception
rooms \\4*re prettily decorated in ferns
and cutJ flowers.
Refrr^ninjj punch was served, from a
flowei;* banked bowl by Miss KJtse Robin
son :&nd Miss Julia Lawrence. The guests 1
wer.^ received by Mrs. John M. Martin, i
\\ B. Rue. Mrs. Gucytym Hubert.
Mrs Carl Maeder, Mrs. R..A. Mickle, the
of the club.
The first number on the programme
a vocul suiection, “The Swan." by
Mrs. \Y. B. Rue. Mrs. J. M. Martin in
troduced Mrs. L. J. Haley of Bimilngnam
and Mrs. Haley made an excellent talk
on “Literary Boston." which was thor
oughly enjoyed by all present. Mrs. G.
K Hollingsworth rendered Ai piano solo.
“On Blooming Meadows.’*’ Mrs. E. L.
Huey read “Thanatopsls. *'which was fol
lowed by a vocal solo. ‘A Dream” (Bart
lett) by Mrs. Cecil Otpwan, accompanied
by Mrs. H. T. Smith.
Little Luclle Lytlv was next on the
programme and beautifully rendered the
reading. “Jennie Entertains Her Sister’s |
Beau." She wfes forced to render several !
encores.
A tempting ice course in which the
pink and ‘white tones were emphasized
was served. The reception was quite a
success.
The Christian workers of the First
Christian church held Tts regutar meeting
this afternoon aX the home of Mrs. j. L
McLaughlin at Brighton. A short busi
ness session W'Us held, the total receipts
fur the afternoon amounting to $110.40. At1
Vie conclusion of the business session a 1
two-course luncheon was served. The
hostess was assisted by her daughters
and Mrs. J. D. Hodge and Miss Leila
Glark.
Those present were: Mrs. Q. A. Glllett,
Mrs. W. W. Hudson, Mrs. Z. S. Wilkes.
Mrs. J. E. ‘Williams, Mrs. E. A. Kearley.
Mrs. W, J. Walton and Mrs. W. L. Mr
l^augblin. The visitors were Mrs. L.
Glark. Mrs. M. J. Stewart. Mrs. J. D.
Hodge and Miss .Leila Clark.
J. D. ROCKEFELLER,
JR., THREATENED BY
SYMPATHIZERS OF
COLORADO STRIKERS
I'Conllnufd from Pace Onel
AlUs'llng to "the deplorable loss of life
Colorado." Mr. Hocekefeller Bald:
"To describe this condition as 'Rock
efeller's wav' aa baa been done by cer
tain of the aenaatlonal newapapera and
speakers, la Infamous. Our Interest Is
solely in the Colorado Fuel and iron
company, which Is simply one of a
large number of coal operating: com
panies In the state of Colorado."
A demonstration was held in front
of the West Fifty-fourth street resi
dences of John D. Rockefeller and John
D. Rockefeller, Jr., tonight bv men who
claimed to represent the Anti-Military
league of New York. They walked
back and forth carrying placards bear
ing an Inscription: "Thout shalt not
kill, either In Mexico or Colorado. If
you warn to fight, joint the cause of
labor against capitalism and help us
and the Colorado mine workers who
are being ruthlessly slaughtered.
Tt was said that Mr. Rockefeller and
his son were not at home during the
demonstration. A citizen called on the
police to disperse the men. Two who
refused to move were arrested on a
charge of disorderly conduct, but were
discharged later In night court. They
disclaimed any connection with Sin
clair or the Industrial Workers of the
World.
DETECTIVES TOHEAR
EAGAN AND DARNELL
Changes In Department Made At
Commission Meeting Last Tues
day Become Effective Today
This morning at 10 o'clock Sydney
H. Darnell lakes official charge of the
detective department which at the
same time becomes an Integral part of
the police force under the leadership
of Chief Martin Ragan. The occasion
will be featured by remarks from Chief
Eagart and Sergeant Darnell.
In the main the subject of the
"talks" of both Chief Ragan and Dar
nell will be a plea for the men to get
together and apply the co-operative
spirit to their work. Every detective
will be advised that no private "feuds"
will be countenanced.
Under the present regime Chief
Ragan has the authority to discharge
any officer or detective for the good
of the service without trial. In the past
the chief who desired an officer dis
missed had to prerer charges and then
to prove his charges before any action
could be taken.
The changes that take effect this
morning dismiss seven officers and
detectives from the pay roll. Stephen
Wiggins Is placed In the legal depart
ment: T. E. Strelt Is assigned to look
after junk yards as a detective. The
new men added to the detective de
partment are: Jamea R. Daly, H. R.
Brown, Ed H. Jones, W. H. Propst, J.
H. McGill. Thomas Christian, J. T. Mo
ser and Walter Garner. There will also
be considerable changes In the plain
clothes squad.
Engagement Announced
Lyarly, Ga., April 30—(Special.)—The
announcement and approaching marriage
of Miss Mattie Allen, one of Chattooga
county's meet attractive young women,
and Mr. Robert Oscar Storey of Rome,
Ga., Is of much Interest to their many
friends throughout this section of north
Georgia. The wedding will take place
early In June.
"Merry” Minstrels Tonight
The “Merry Mlnetrsls” will be present
ed at the Cable hall tonight under the
auspices of the Fortnight club, an organi
sation of well known young men of the
city. The performnnee Is said to be very
meritorious end Includes some of the beet
a me tsar performers of thocltjr.
- ,w
GAILLARD SPEAKS
Newly Elected Railroad
Commissioner Tells
Why He Is Support
ing Comer
Uniontown, April 30.-—(Special.) I
P- Gaillard of Mobile, recently nom
inated for railroad commissioner, in a
speech here tonight advocated the
nomination of R B. Comer for gov
ernor. Mr. (taillard took the ground
that he would not only not support
Henderson, but would favor Ills recall
from his present office. His speech in
part follows:
“A careful study of the official rec
ords of Messrs. Comer and Hender
son leaves me no alternative but to
support Governor Comer, quite apart
from any personal feeling towfurd eith
er candidate.
“As I read Mr. Henderson's reoojcd,
1 not only feel compelled to exert my
personal influence against his promo
tion to the governorship, but If it
were possible 1 would vote to recall
him from his present office of presi
dent of the railroad commission. I
would not want Mr. Henderson to deal
other than with strict fairness toward
all railroads, as well as to the people,
but 1 am forced to the conviction that
he has not dealt impartially as be
tween the people and the 'railroads,
but has shown a reluctance even to
take ui> for consideration complaints
as to rates charged to be inequitable,
or having once taken them up to
finally dispose of them, as in the Mo
bile pig iron case. This was my con
viction prior to the ‘humiliating' so
called compromise dated February
21, 1914, which was conceived in se
cret and born in shame. and for
which he must ami will be held re
sponsible by the people of Alabama as
Its father. The hurtful results flow
ing from this remarkable agreement
are the same to the. state, whether
its execution is to be attributed to
his inability to see its barrenness or
benefits to the public or because of a
more culpable willingness to sacrifice
the state’s interests for personal po
litical advantage, or because he hon
estly thought It was just and fair in
its terms. As a ’settlement’ of the
points litigated it is as fatally defec
tive for Its omissions as for its posi
tive provisions.’’
After quoting from the recent state
ment of H. C. Selheimer, Mr. Gaillard
proceeded:
“Now, then, in the light of these
facts, let me call your attention to
the terms of the compromise—so
called. It was a ‘surrender’ to pro
vide that the railroad companies ben
efited by it should be relieved of lia
bility for failure to put in force the
2 Vz-cent rate iu 1913, as ordered by
the commission; thereby attempting to
relieve them from liability to redeem
coupons representing the disputed ex
cess exacted by them, aggregating an
enormous sum to the traveling public,
while for seven years the Southern
and other roads had, under their agree
ment with Governor Comer, put into
effect without qualification and main
tained reduced passenger and freight
rates.
*’U was a surrender to provide by the
fourth paragraph that the agreement
should not be considered as a voluntary
concession by the railroads, that the pas
senger rates fixed by the commission were
just and reasonable, nor that it was the
final result of litigation, thus leaving the
question unsettled and open to litiga
tion at any time, when three United .States
Judges had refused to Interfere by in- .
junction or otherwise, and to a morai cer
tainty the United State* supreme court
court would have refused to interfere
with the railroad commission's order fix- ]
lng the rate. \
"It was an act of fosiy to provide that 1
the state’s appeal from Judge Jones’ in- «
junction order against putting in opera- 1
tion the statutory freight rates should be i
dismissed and the entire question left as I
open to new Injunctions and protracted <
litigation as it was seven years ago. It i
was an Inconceivable act of folly to do 1
these things without first consulting the <
eminent attorneys specially employed by »
the governor to pro8ecv.ee the appeal, and i
who were then act!very engaged in its
prosecution, as to the scope, effect and t
^ ” " ~~
YOU may be just as par
ticular as you please
about the style of your
clothes; if the quality isn’t
good you’ve wasted your
time and money. Good
style is one of the reasons
for buying
Hart Schaffner & Marx
clothes; there are no better fashions
than these; the best designers in the
world make these models.
But all-wool fabrics and highest class
tailoring are of great importance, and in
these clothes you know you’re getting the
best.
H. S. & M. Suits in summer weight woolens,
$20.00 to $45.00
H. S. & M. Palm Beafch, $10.00
H. S. & M. Mohairs, $15.00 to $25.00
M. WEIL
1915-1917 Fi
The Home of Hart Schaff
wisdom of such agreement. and instead
he seems to have consulted opposing coun
sel for the railroads; and a careful read
ing of the agreement by any one. In the
light of the surrounding circumstances,
can hardly fail to raise the suspicion of
ulterior motive.
"Mr. Comer Is a fighter, but in tills mat
ter he was seeking, as Alabama's chief
executive, to uphold a law enacted by
the legislature of Alabama, while on the
other hand Mr. Milton II. Smith, repre
senting a public service corporation—a
creature of the state—was seeking to
have the legally established rates de
clared unreasonable and confiscatory. Mr.
Sm' h Is a man of remarkable construc
tive and executive ability as a railroad
official, and has many traits of char
acter that I esteem very highly, but is
not Mr. Smith as typical a tighter as
ever interfered in our state politics? Was
Mr. Comer alone responsible for the fight?
"If Mr Comer is such a great dis
turber of railroad and commercial con
ditions, why Is it that the Southern and
five other roads have for seven years
gone peacefully on their way? It was
because Mr. Comer is more titan a fight
er; he is a high-class business man. and
when these roads showed a willingness
to compromise he met them in the same
spirit and made satisfactory and final
settlement of all disputed questions, in
fighting to sustain the rate-making stat
utes, Mr. Comer has simply been true to
fils oath of office to uphold the laws of
file state; and If the pending suit had
>een pushed to an earfy and final decree,
:here would have been a due and legal
letermination of the reasonableness vel
ion of the disputed ♦ntes. and nothing
eft to fight about.
"There has been much twisting of
aws passed by the legislature, and
nore juggling with figures in an of
ort to show something amiss in Oov
rttor Comer’s record as governor,
nit it stands today clear and untar
lished. Every dollar collected during
its administration was either duly acc
ounted for or legally expended. He
vas an able business man, who at
ended to the people’s business with
onspicuous ability, and his record is
s impregnable as the rock of (lib
altar.
"As between these two candidates, !
heir position on the saloon question, I
Judged by their public utterances, is
ho much alike as to raise no material
issue between them. Mr. Comer says
in substance that if you want Charles
l*ewis. tHe dispenser of liquor polit
ical slush, to dictate the policies of
the state, then don't vote for him,
while Mr. Henderson in substance
says that the saloon is the bane of
civilization, and from these declara
tions you cannot expect any great di
ve-genre of action under similar cir
cumstances But mark well the dis
closure of that secret visit of Mr. Hen
derson's campaign manager to Nash
ville to sec that same Charles Lewis!
Hoes it require a Philadelphia lawyer
to surmise what he was there for or
the obligations incurred for Mr. Hen
derson'.’ Do you think the people of
Alabama will at a ml for this 'power be
hind the throne.’ or any other foreign
power? No! And they are not going
to take any such chances by nominat
ing Mr. Henderson as the democratic
standard bearer.
“For these reasons T shall support
Governor Comer ‘until the cows come
home,' and as to Mr. Henderson, l
shall. If elected associate railroad
commissioner, do my best In co-oper
atlon with him as president, to work
out all problems that may confront us
without prejudice, and in the spirit
of fairness to the people and public ,
service corporations alike, that is re
quired by the laws of the state."
CARNEGIE SPEAKS
AT CELEBRATION
Pittsburg, April »>.—Andrew Carnegie
was the principal speaker today at the
eighteenth annual founders’ day celebra
tion of Carnegie institute. The artists,
prize-winning paintings and the amounts
of the prizes In the international art ex
hibition of pin, a rounders’ day event*
follow:
First “The Village In Winter,” Edward
\V. Red field. Center Bridge, Pa., 9E00. t
Second “The String Quartet,” Richard
lack. London. Englund. 9L000.
Third—“rilfr Dwellers,” George W. Bel
lows, New York city, 9-“«00.
Midsummer
Showing
of Hats and Lingerie Dresses
Friday and Saturday
! This showing of Midsummer models
is by far the most complete showing of
I up-to-the-minute styles ever before
exibited in Birmingham. You should
by all means visit this display today
and Saturday.