The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-20
BANKHEAD FAVORS HUNDLEY FOR PLACE Sees No Reason for Failure to
 Confirm Him
SENATOR OFF FOR FLORIDA.
Rheumatism In Shoulder Still Bothers Him, But He Hopes To Be Able
 To Take His Seat In the
 Senate After Holidays.

If the recently published statement of Congressman A. A. Wiley. to the effect that the senatorial confirmation or re- jection of the nomination of Judge Oscar R. Hundley depended on the attitude of Senator John Hollis Bankhead, is based upon fact there Is no longer a doubt put that Judge Hundley will continue to preside over the United States court of the northern district of Alabama.
 Senator Bankhead who spent yester- day In the city, stated in reference to the Hundley controversy:
 'I see no reason why the appointment of Judge Hundley should not be con- firmed. The charges against him are not sufficient to cause his rejection by the Senate"
 From this statement it Is inferred that Senator Bankhead Is friendly to Judge Hundley. and that If he does not make a fight In behalf of the federal judge, he will. at least. take no action against him. It is considered probable, however, that Senator Bankhead will do all that he can to have the Senate confirm the Presidents appointment.
 Both Senators Considered Favorable. According to the administration repub- licans in Birmingham. the attitude of Senator Bankhead means that Alabama 8 senatorial delegation will be heartily in favor of Judge Hundley's confirmation. even as the majority of the congression- al delegation is opposed. It Is understood fin Birmingham, although since the resur- rection of the fight against Hundey no direct statement has been had from Sen ator Johnston, that that senator is staunch friend of Judge Hundley. In fact. 1t was stated some days ago by warm Hundley supporter, that when Congress- man Richardson requested Senator John- ston to hold up the Hundley conirma- ton in the Senate, Senator Johnston re- piled that he would not do so unless Con- gressman Richardson preferred specific charges against Hundley, supported either by his own affidavit, or the affidayits of other reliable persons. Indeed prior to Senator Bankhead's statement yesterday morning, 1t was generally understood in Birmingham that that gentleman had al- ready written to brother senators ask ing that they support Hundley. There fore. with the understanding that both of the Alabama senators are favorable to Hundley. the judges friends are resting easily-more peacefully. indeed, than at any time since the initiation of the Hund- ley fight by the late Senator Pettus. The Hundley faction, indeed, thinks that there is no longer a doubt but that the nom- ination of Judge Hundley will be regu-
 lar1y confirmed, and that he will soon have possession of his office without dis pute.
 Senator Leaves For Florida. Yesterday afternoon Senator Bankhead left Birmingham for Orlando. Fla, where he will remain until after the holidays.
 The senator came to Birmingham from his home in Fayette several days ago. and has until yesterday afternoon been at the Cunningham hospital in Ensley. He has rapidly recovered from his recent att tack of pneumonia, and suffers now only from rheumatic pains in his shoulder. He goes to Florida to get free of rheuma- tism. He hopes and expects to be able to go to Washington by January 5, the time of the reconvening of Congress He expressed his satisfaction with his com mittee appointments. He is a member Of the agricultural and postoffice and post roads committees. and feels that fin both these positions he can well serve the state.
 Senator Bankhead did not exactly relish the position awarded him by Congress- man Wiley--a kind of court of last re-
 sort as concerns the Hundley case How ever, he stated that he saw nothing to
 prevent the Hundley confirmation by the Senate