The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-02-10
CONFIDENT
 OF FINAL VICTORY Thompson, Bush and Wood Back from Washington ALL ISSUE STATEMENTS HundIey Hearing Will Necessarily Be Long Drawn Out Because sub-
 committee Cannot Hold
 Continuous Sessions.
ALL ISSUE STATEMENTS

With the return of J. o. Thompson, T. G. Bush and Sterling A. Wood from Washington at very late hour last night the confirmation of Judge Hundley again assumed local aspect. All three of these gentlemen are very much of the opinion that Judge Hundley will be confirmed. and expressed themselves as being very glad the investigation was being made In order that the charges against Judge Hundley might be cleared up.
 It VIII be necessary for MT. Wood so return to Washington next Friday for the purpose of presenting the original rec ords of the Southern Steel company case to the committee.
 Mr. Thompson was especially expressive on this subject and gave out the follow Ing prepared statement:
 T am indeed glad that the investigation is being had because it will end by clearing up the vile insinuations against an appointee of the President, just and able judge and rebound to the credit of the administration that appointed him. The judiciary committee is composed of the very highest type of men of both parties, and whoever goes before it may expect even and exact justice.
 The hearing will of necessity be long l. cary committees are also members of other committees, and they are therefore prevented from having continuous ses- sions. The President expressed to a party or Alabamians who called on him with me to pay their respects, his delight in the splendid record which Judge Hundley had made on the bench"
 Asked what he thought of the final out come or Judge Hundley's confirmation, nra aof1 tl..~ whom he talked, including republicans and democrats, expressed the belief that Judge Hundley's confirmation would im- mediately follow the report of the sub- committee.
 Colonel Bush's Statement.
 Colonel Bush gave out the following written statement:
 went to Washington not to cham pion the cause of Judge Hundley. but primarily to answer charges indirectly made against the administration of the receivers of the South ern Steel com pany, as one of the charges on which most stress was laid by Judge Hund- leys opponents was his failure to ap- point the receivers as first suggested by the petitioning creditors, and the appointment of other instead I be- lieve that the statements made before the Senate committee clearly yindi- cated Judge Hundley in his action. I took occasion as a citizen of Birming- ham to express my opinion as to Judge Hundley's fitness for the office to which he has been appointed. not only on ac- count of his qualification but also on account of his record on the bench. I regard the charges in the main as frivolous, and believe that as soon as the Senate committee completes its in- vestigation it will make favorable re- port and that Judge Hundley's appoint ment will be confirmed.
 T notice in Sundays Age-Herald that the special Washington correspondent reports that Representative Burnett asked me if Judge Hundley had re- ceived a letter from Senator Johnston indorsing me for the receivership. not only stated that I was not an ap- plicant for the receivership, but that Senator Johnston did not write such letter. and that I had had no com munication of any kind with Senator Johnston concerning the matter. Sena- tor Johnston was present and also an swered MT. Burnett's inquiry in very emphatic language"
 Wood Returns Friday.
 MT. Wood was also feeling good over the way the investigation was progress sing though lamenting the fact that he would have to return to Washington next Friday He gave out the fol- lowing:
 ~" "As you know, I am the special referee in the case of the Southern Steel company; and I am directed 10 return to Washington. and exhibit the original records in the case to the com mittee at the hearing next Friday.
 personally I am much gratifed that no order made by me thus far has been the sub ject of'an appeal and that Judge Hundley has confirmed my reports.
 He will undoubtedly be confirmed, and be our judge for many years. cour- teous to all, painstaking to a great de- gree, and knowing neither friend nor foe when administering justice. be- lieye A majority of the subcommittee is already convinced of Judge Hund- ley's eminent fitness for the place, and that the future hearing will further convince them.
 "Tha thermometer was about 20 de- erees during our stay in Washington and eight inches of snow carpeted the xrovv1