The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-03-12
Three Are Expected to Be
 Filled Within Next
 Few Days 1
ASHLEY AND TEBBETTS
 ARE AZ TER MOBILE BERTH
Local Republicans Believe President Has Made Up His Mind on the Birmingham Pos.mastership.
 Gossip About Judgeship.

It is locally understood that by next Monday or Tuesday Alabama politicians will be set at rest about their share of the federal pie in the state, and the big mix-up over the federal judgeship will be cleared up.
 When Congress convenes in special ses- sion next Monday it is expected that President Taft will send in the appoint ment for all three of the big offices now open in Alabama, the judgeship of the United States court in the Northern dis trist. the position of collector of the Mo- bile port, and the postmastership of the Birmingham office.
 Both friends and opponents of Judge Hundley are anxiously awaiting every development in Washington No one has been able so far to discover anything about the course of the presidential mind, for they have all come back nonplussed and only able to say everything all right for whatever side they happen to be on.
 the appointment, the republicans are backing three candidates, Shelby Pleas ants of Huntsville, w. II. Smith of Bir- mingham, and o. D. Street of Gunters- vile. All three are strongly indorsed. Mir Pleasants is considered here to stand good chances of winning out. In fact, several prominent republicans about the federal building stated yesterday that if Judge Hundley is not appointed, and the Presi- dent does not appoint a democrat, Pleas ants would no doubt be the man.
 But there is a strong belief even among the republicans that the President will search for a man among democratic ranks, and in that case, the chances ap- pears to lie between E. K. Campbell and E. H. Cabaniss.
 The contest for the colectorship at Mo bile between H. Gordon Ashley, chief dep uty marshal of the United States court and w. F. Tebbetts, the present incum- bent, has probably been settled and will be announced next week. MT. Ashley car ried one of the strongest indorsements ever presented to the President. J. O. Thompson has just returned from Wash ington where he used his influence for MT. Ashley. National Committeeman P. D. Barker is now at the capital, and is both strong friend and supporter of the Birmingham man.
 MT. Ashley stands well with Secretary Hitchcock, and since Major Tebbetts has held the colleotorship two terms, the change Is considered probable by local republicans.
 The name of Frank H. Lathrop has often been connected with the office, but MT. Lathrop stated last nig.t that he had never even been an applicant, and that as far as he was concerned, MT. Ashley need have no fear.
 Judge j.. H. Montgomery and J. Rivers Carter are the applicants for the Birming- ham postoffice, and as this appointment Is overdue, President Taft will probably make 1t shortly He has had his agent in the city. Hitchcock ran over here when the President was in Augusta. Vis- itors at the White House since the in- auguration say that they have not been asked or questioned about the position, so 1t seems evident that the choice needs only announcement.
 There has been stir among the pol- ticians by a rumor that in future ap- pointments in Alabama would be made by an advisory board, but the idea is be- ing generally pooh-poohed. One republic an stated that it would be impossible to find half dozen business men who are out of politics. In fact, it is generally understood that while the President has decided to do away with the title of ref cree, he will continue to advise with tho same men, and, together with his sys- tenn of sending an agent to look over the situation, will make the appointments in the same old way.
 There Is no ground whatever to base the rumor on. During MT. Taft's term there will be very few offices in Alabama for him to fill, over which there will be any squabble. The interviews about abol- ishing the referees are taken to mean simply that he will investigate more thor oughly, and advise more freely before making any changes. It is known that Senators Johnston and Bankhead will be in friendly relations with the White House and will be called in for advice on such matters.
 There is custom which has been in vogue for a long time to change the caption on the Presidents stationery ev- cry four years from The White House. to 'erhe Presidents Mansion" or vice versa. This is believed to be an illustra- ton of the talk about the abolishment of