The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-04
Taft and Wickersham Favor
 the Birmingham Man
SITUATION IS UNSETTLED
Strong Influences Are at Work for Will liam H. Smith to Succeed Hund- ley, But Nothing Definite
 Is Given Out.

Washington. April s.-(Special )-wil- liam H. Smith of Birmingham may be the new federal judge of the Northern dis trict of Alabama It is learned tonight on high authority that as the situation stands today he Is the man in the mind of the President and the Attorney General. The situation is in such shape that it will not do to predict MT. Smiths appointment with any degree of positiveness whatever The only thing known is that unless there is change he stands the best chance of landing the big plum.
 The Attorney General is very much im- pressed with the personal inquiries he has made about him. The legal officer of the government has been in communication with certain Alabamians who are not con- nected with politics, and they have seem- ingly satisfied the Attorney General that MT. Smiths appointment would not pro- yoke opposition. In addition, as has here tofore been told strong New York in- fuences are at work in MT. Smiths be- half.
 In connection with 1t all the efforts of the organization to keep Peasants out ol the place, and retaliatory movement against the organization candidate, Street, naturally puts Mr. Smith in a position that Is not occupied by the other two republican candidates. It should be re- membered, however, that in the elusive game of office-seeking there is liable to be change at any minute, and that in AS hours MT. Smith may be as much out of the running as he is now certainly in 1t.
 Visit to White House.
 Senators Bankhead and Johnston of Ala bama paid their long -heralded visit to the l White House this morning, and to the disf ppointment of everyone they were un- able to shed any light upon the mooted question of the Northern Alabama judge ship. The President had only few min- utes conversation with the senators. He told them that he was not ready to take the case up today, but would send for them next week as 1t was hls desire to go over the case fully with them before @ making an appointment.
 Most of the Alabama politicians will remain in Washington to see the fight out Some of them have been on the ground for month and will be mighty happy when the whole thing is over with.
 Among the stories going around tonight
 
 that Judge Hundley and J. o. Thompson are not as close as they were several days ago. It Is said that Thompson be- lieves Hundley should get out of the race in order that O. D. Street will have bet ter chance in the running. Another story is that Judge Hundley Is staying in the race in order to be of more assistance to Street than if he would withdraw.
 Statement By Senators.
 The following statement was given out by the Alabama senators tonight: The President immediately after his inauguration told Senators Bankhead and Johnston that he desired to advise with them in reference to the judgeship Since that time they have not had any in- terviews with him or recommended any one given him any advice in this mat ter, feeling that if the President de- sired to consult them, he would call for them On Friday the senators each re- oeved a note from the Presidents pri- vate secretary, stating that the President desired them to call on Saturday at F 80 for the purpose of discussing this matter.
 Upon reaching the President he in- formed them that he was very much pressed by other matters, that he desired to go over the case thoroughly with them and that he would let them know when he could see them. They agreed that it could not be hastily considered. great many gentlemen, including some members of the House, have called time and again on the President about this matter. and urged their favorites. or presented their views but so far the Pres ident does not know who either Senator Bankhead or Johnston prefers or their attitude in the case"