The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-06-20
Mayors Friends Urging Him to Enter Campaign to Suc-
 Ceed Himself
DRENNEN AND O'BR|EN
 ALREADY IN THE FIELD
Fight Would Undoubt- edy Be One of the Warmest the City Has Seen For Years.
 A Pretty Fight.

The political situation will more than likely within the next forty-eight hours receive an impetus which will make those already in the race shy and take notice.
 Mayor George B. Ward may announce for reelection. This is nothing new to the friends of the present mayor, who have been endeavoring to get him into the race ever since the withdrawal of Jere King. They have used every argu- ment, but now that the suburbs arc actually beginning to come in he is be- ginning to realize the great work of re- organization that must go on during the next two years.
 While he has made business arrange ments looking toward the expiration of his term, there is now probabil- ity that he will set them aside for what he considers the good of the city, and will make the race main before the primary this announce ment may be expected before the week end
 The argument that at this critical mo- ment Birmingham needs a mayor with experience and in close touch with every department is being advanced His rec ord as an executive is said by Ward s friends to have placed, the mayors office closer to the needs of the people than it ever was before
 Beyond a doubt such an announcement would put a deal of ginger and snap into a campaign hitherto marked by apathy. There would be considerable open air up a great interest. All three, Ward, Frank P. O'Brien and Melville Drennen, are strong men.
 They are all backed by strong ranks with many votes. The annexation of Av- ondale, and the probable annexation of East Lake before the election, will change political conditions in Birmingham to a great extent. The vote in the suburbs is an unknown quantity, and there is gen eral speculation as to which of the three would carry it. In case of such an announcement, the fight for president of the city council will certainly be forced to retire to second place. However, this is going to be d marvellous bout between Aldermen B. H. Cooper and Harry Jones.
 Alderman Cooper has strong backing with the laboring men on account of his staunch stand on the street tax question and his fight for municipal ownership. His resignation from the league on be- coming a candidate showed that he was sincere in that work.
 Harry Jones is a man of personal mag netism and general popularity. He has strong backing and career on the board marked by an original stand on every question The fight will be one in which the victor will not be known until the last round.
 Next in the line of interest will be the great contest between Chiefs Wier and Bodelxer for the position now held by Bodeker at the head of the police depart ment. Everyone remembers the history of this campaign which began immediately after the dismissal of Chief Wier from the force The chief announced his can didacy that night and has been in the field ever since. Both have many friends and will go a faster pace than they did last year.
 Two men are going to be put in opposi- ton to Messrs. Parker and Copeland for police commissioners. These have not yet been selected although a number of names are being suggested. However, the campaign is on and dust is flying as of old.