The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-01-09
HITCHCOCK ASTUTE IN POLITICAL CAME Will Visit Alabama Soon in h.
 terest of Taft JUDGE WILLIS BOWERS HERE Thinks Meeting of Bryan and liar mon In Birmingham Should Be a
 Notable Event-Comments
 On National Politics.
JUDGE WILLIS BOWERS HERE

Judge Willis Bowers prominent Wash ington attorney, spent yesterday in Bir- mingham on legal business, and was in consultation with Birmingham lawyers throughout the day.
 Judge Bowers is well known in Br- mingham, and stated yesterday that in the early eighties he lived here for two years, moving from this city to New Orleans, from which city he again moved to Washington in 1895 He talked enter tainingly yesterday of Birmingham when Birmingham was younger, and stated that he felt proud of being again in the ''Metropolic of the South," just as it had come into it's own, referring to the req lization of Greater Birmingham.
 In course of a general conversation. Judge Bowers referred to national poli- tics, in which he is well versed. Especi- ally interesting were his remarks concern ing the affairs of the President, Secre- tary Cortelyou, and First Assistant Post 1 master General Frank Hitchcock.
 "I have it on good authority" said the l Judge, that MT. Hitchcock will be MT. Tafts campaign manager for the south. Hitchcock, having recently gone through the south, is in an excellent position to swing the delegations of Dixie in the Taft column. 1 understand that Hitch cock will resign his position with the government. although concerning this 1 am unable to speak authoritatively.
 Hitchcock Coming To Alabama.
 Taft is making an active campaign, and it will be but few days before MT Hitchcock is again seen in Alabama. Hitchcock's appointment does not mean that Secretary Taft has disposed of the services of Arthur Vorys of Ohio, but it does mean that MT. Vory's domain Is cut atwain. Hitchcock too, will have authority, according to the general under standing, to invade the precincts of other states. The Assistant Postmaster Gen eral is a skilled politician. and will do MT. Taft excellent service. He is con- sidered the diplomat of the present ad- ministration, and prior to his spat with the President, stood high In favor. l am positive that Taft has made him the of fer of manager of the southern campaign, and am given to believe that the offer wils be accepted within the next few days.
 Tt will interest you perhaps to know that the first intimation that MT. Hitch cock would figure in the national cam pagn of this year came out of Birming- ham, It seems that Hitchcock's first move was msinterpreted. It was first thought that he was in the interest of the Presi- dent. Then it was thought that he was working for Cortelyou. The truth of the matter is that in my opinion, he had everyone fooled and was then striking blows for Secretary Taft. However the first intlmation, as l have said, that Hitchcock would appear in this cam paign, came from Birmingham.
 '"rhere is no longer doubt but that Bryan will be the democratic standard bearer 1t will be an interesting occa- sion when Bryan appears in Birmingham along with Judson Harmon, who is re- ceiving hattering mention, especially in Ohio, for the presidency. But Harmon will not receive the nomination and it is not believed in Washington that lie es even tentative candidate. However in my opinion the democrats could do worse than make him Bryans running mate"
 Hysteria a Factor In Panic.
 In speaking of the financial condition of the country, Judge Bowers stated his belief that fear, bordering on hysteria. was the cause of the late stringency in the money market First there were the maneuvers of the gamblers in Wall street Then. there followed the failure of sev- eral banks. and the restrictions of cash payments. This frightened the people following as it did in the wake of rai~ all over the country and some time to however people are again feeling secure in the boat, and business all over the country is picking up
 q do not believe that there will be a currency reform bill passed until late in the session. There will be numerous amendments tackled on to the bill intro duced yesterday by Senator Aldrch, and then it may not pass. The trouble is that everybody has an idea of his own, and it will require time and patience to weld the many suggestions into one com pact form
 Congressman Underwood in my opin- ion has the simplest and most effec- tive scheme He would tax the national banks one-tenth of one pS> eent on capi- tai. This tax, the cong an intends, shall be gathered in the l.. ry of the United States. and held to .store to creditors their money lost in bank fail ures There are comparatively few fail ures, and the accumulated tax would be quite a sum in several years. The people would be saved their losses, and the tax is