The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-27
MAYOR BESE|GED BY CALLERS WHO WELCOME HIM BACK 0'NeiIl and Parker of Rival r aC-
 ton in Council Call to
 Pay Respects
MIR. WARD SEES DANGER
 IN PRESENT SITUATION
Personal Animosities and Ambitions Should Be Laid Aside-Parker and Ward Almost Get
 Confidential.

Who will strike first, Mayor Ward or the Parker faction? Will the Mayor take hls seat in the council chamber next
 Wednesday and ignore the organization under the municipal code? 'I have come back to resume the office to which l was elected "rhese matters should be settled as speedily as possible. . are the only words which the Mayor has given out for publication, which seem to have such a meaning, and yet people are wondering if that will not be his course.
 It is said that, in that case, Parker and the majority would have to go to law first Otherwise, Mir. Ward would be forced to enter a test case himself.
 The Mayors office was crowded with aldermen and friends the whole of yes terday. Alderman John O'Neill, among the first, was overjoyed. 'I brought you a big stick, John, but I'm afraid to give it to you,' said the Mayor.
 "No, maybe you had better keep It; perhaps you'll need it. replied the leader of the majority faction.
 Both Sides Seek Hearing
 Leaders of the anti-prohibition forces and the prohibition ranks were notic- ably numerous. The Mayor listened 10 all their arguments, insisted that people l on either side of the contest should be given credit for sincerity, but did not come to any conclusion as to his own po- sition.
 The wearer of the Irish green hat, and the Irish green vest is one of the most popular men in Birmingham right now. l His stand on the prohibition question will throw strong influence either way. 1 He gave out this statement yesterday anent the council mix-up: May Result DisastrousIy. "The situation here is liable to effect disastrously for years the city govern ment and every individual citizen. "These matters should be settled as speedily as possible and in legal way.
 Personal animosities and ambitions
 should not be allowed to interfere and make things worse.
 | q am advising with counsel and con- 1 sulting with friends as to the proper
 course to pursue for the citizens well
 fare.
 For the present I have nothing more to
 say"
 Meeting Between the Rivals. | Yesterday morning, between the hours | of II and 12 o'clock, John l.. Parker, al-
 derman of the Seventh ward, and presi- | of ba a.
 spects to Mayor Ward, who, after an
 absence of six weeks, had returned to the | city.
 Unlike the romancist might have imag-
 ined, the two men, at present standing
 out in bold relief as rivals 'for the place
 of power in the City Council, did not fly
 at each others throats. As a matter of
 fact, the meeting was most commonplace
 As common usage and conventionalty
 demanded that he should do, MT. Parker
 stated to MT. Ward that he was glad to
 see him again in Birmingham, and Mir. Ward was glad to see MT. Parker After
 a seconds pause, one inquired solicitously
 concerping the others health, and a
 counter query brought out the glad tid- | ings that two of the citys chosen sons
 were in robust health.
 As it is, it is common belief that Mayor | Ward is planning some means to undo
 what the council in his absence has done, | and while it is common belief that MT.
 Parker is laying his plans to an end that
 the present condition of affairs might be | indefinitely continued, it was more than | interesting to watch the two men sitting | there, facing each other, and chatting about little things for the sole purpose of | killing time.
 Moore DispeIs the Charm. It is wondered If MT. Parker was not | prepared to discuss the livest issue of the day. After asking concerning the habits, customs and manners of every European country, from Ireland to Prussia, and de. mandng ever and anon information of a more particular nature, Mr. Parker was seen to edge closely to the Mayors desk, and while there was heard to say some thing softly. Just at the psychological moment. however, when something might have dropped, the peace that reigned su- preme save for the murmuring of the voices of Mir Ward and Mr. Parker. was shattered beyond recall by boisterous greeting texended to the returned chief executive by Alderman Walter Moore, who was entering the room. When the | little party was augmented by John C. Forney, another alderman who has pro-
 tested from the beginning against an ac- 1 ton of the council which he deems uncon- 1 stitutonal, MT. Parker excused himself. | promising to return later.