The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-02-04
Captain 0'Brien, J, O. Thomp-
son, Sterling Wood and 7, G.
Bush viii AIss Be Present
HISTORY OF CASE WHICH
HAS AROUSED INTEREST
Charges To Prevent Confirmation as
Federal Judge To Be Heard BY
Subcommittee On
Tuesday.

People all over Alabama have shown a
deep interest in the efforts of six Ala
bama congressman and the anti-admin-
istration faction of the republican party
of the state, to prevent the Senates con-
firmation of President Roosevelt's nomi-
nation of Judge Oscar R. Hundley, as
judge of the Northern District of the
federal court Of Alabama.
1t is expected that the crisis in this
controversy will be reached this week,
for on Friday, according to a call by
Chairman Dillingham;, the subcommittee
of the judiciary committee of the Sem
ate of the United States will begin the
hearing of the charges against Judge
Hundley and a probing of the entire
controversy.
Judge Hundley, accompanied by his
father-in-law, Capt. Frank p. O'Brfen,
will leave for Washington this morn
ing. This afternoon Sterling A. Wood,
a well known lawyer and special mas
ter in the bankruptcy case of the South
ern Steel; and J. o. Thompson, one of
the Presidents referees in Alabama, and
also one of the receivers of the Southern
Steel, will follow Judge Hundley to
Washington. Col. T. G. Bush, formerly
company and chairman of the board of
receivers of the Southern Steel, leaves
for Washington this morning.
Begun BY Senator Pettus.
The fight against the confirmation of
Hundley's nomination was begun by the
late Senator Edmund w. Pettus, Sr.
That fight, which was waged so bitterly,
was resumed at the beginning of the
present session of Congress by seven Ala
bama congressman. led it is generally
admitted by Congressman Richardson of
the Eighth district, who for a number
of years, has been a political adversary
of Judge Hundley. These seven con-
gressmen, Wiley. Clayton, Craig. Hef1in,
Hobson, Burnett and Richardson, signed
a lengthy petition to the Senate against
the confirmation of the Presidents NOM
ination. In this petition. numerous
charges and reasons were advanced why
Judge Hundley should not receive the
appointment Incompetency, unpopular
ity and inexperience were among the rea-
sons alleged for the basis of the petition
Later, Congressman Hobson, in an open
letter. declared that he had entered the
petition too hastily, and that he would
be no longer a party to the movement.
Congressman Underwood of this district,
did not sign the petition, and has not
advanced a reason for not doing so. Con-
gresham Taylor stated while in Birming-
ham in December that he had, never
taken part in fight among republicans.
Congressman Wiley declared in Biri1ing-
ham In December that while he had
signed the original petition he had done
so as a matter of form, and not because
he had any personal grievance against
Judge Hundley.
Taken UP BY the Ants.
This fight, begun by Alabama and dem
ocratic congressman, was taken up i'm
mediately afterwards by the anti-admin-
istration wing of the republican party in
Birmingham. and the leaders of this wing
are just as anxious that the nomination
be defeated as is Congressman Richard
son.
The ants in Birmingham have open
ly charged that Judge Hundley appoint
ed ]. o. Thompson Southern Steel
receiver in order to discharge political
debts, and criticised him further be-
cause Thompson is an officeholder in
the service of the government. Consid-
cradle gossip has been INDUCED in since
the ants published a mortgagel made
by Mr.. and Mrs. Thompson in favor
of Judge Hundley, the point being al
legged that inasmuch as there was pre-
viously a mortgage on the property
Judge Hundley had advanced money to
Thompson without proper Security.
Judge Hundley's receivers in the case
of the Southern Steel have also furnished
material for the guns of the protesting
congressman and the opposition republic
ans. They allege that in these appoint
ments Judge Hundley took other steps
in the discharge of political debts. One
of the charges, it is understood in Bir-
mingham, which the congressman will
bring against Judge Hundley is that by
his refusal to appoint the two Adlers as
referees of the Southern Steel, he made
It impossible for that company to get
again on its feet. The other principal
charge according to local understanding,
son as receiver of the Southern Steel was
done to discharge political Indebtedness.
1t is also understood that the congress-
men will prefer charge to the effect that
some years ago Judge Hundley was
charged with having played poker in
Huntsville, and that he was tried and
convicted for that offense before Judge
Richardson. 1t is understood that this
game occurred when Judge Hundley was
quite young, and that he doesn't deny
that ii occurred.
Promises To Be Better.
The fight promises to be exceedingly
bitter. 1t is generally admitted that the
opposition republicans and the Congress
men are determined to leave no stone I'M
turned in their efforts to defeat Judge |
Hundley. On the other hand. the friends |
of Judge Hundey. contending that the |
charges are frivolous, and inspired by per-
sonal prejudice and dislike on the part |
OF Congressman Richardson, are prepared |
to meet every thrust with what they con- |
slider indisputable evidence. 1t is thought !
that Mr.. Thompson will testify as to his |
appointment as receiver, and as concerns |