The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-03-18
Thompson Worried Ouer
 AIabaroa Appointments

ley was practically slated for the posi- ton. That 1t caused the friends of Tebbetts to be stir themselves The latter has the backing of the business men of Mobile. He says he really thought of stepping aside at one time feeling that he should not be greedy after having served two terms but MT. Tebbetts does not propQss to be push h- ed out If he can help It.
 Ashley has been very anxious to se- cure the indorsement of Senator Johns- ton. and Is kndovn to have, said that If he could secure that, he would feel certain of the appointment. The Sen- ator today went to the White House and introduced Tebbetts to President Taft. who was quite impressed with him. and learning that his term he dex- pired on March 1. promised to take up the matter promptly and settle the light.
 TebSetts' Backing. Tebbetts Is known to have the back. ing of Senator Frye. of Maine, Chair man of the Senate Commerce Com mittee and that's powerful help. Senator Frye Is working hard for him at the White House.
 Then there is the Birmingham post mastership. That Is in the air. Post master Carter is thought to be clearly the choice of the business men of Birm- ingham. The time Is up. and yet no action is taken. Thompson 1t Is charg- ed. is behind Joe Montgomery for that job. Senator Johnston cannot get al the bottom, he says, of <his controversy Representative Underwood says he does not know how matters stand with reference to 1t. He. too, Is all at sea It's republican fuss. and when the appointment Is made then every body will know which crowd will be on top.
 A delegation favorable to Oscar R. Hundley went to see President Taft l today. It is composed of John B. Knox John W. Tomlinson, Sterling Wood. and J. o. Thompson of Birmingham, and David Grayson of Huntsville. Frank O'Brien, the judges devoted father r-in- law, also came along Senator Johns l ton and Representative Underwood went with the visitors to the White House at one o'clock today and intro. duced them. At that hour, President Taft said he was really too busy to hear what they had to say. After shaking hands with the visitors. the | President remarked that he supposed | they were on the other side from the | gentlemen who called to see him last | week, and as he had given the Hund- | ley opponents one hour. he would do | the same for his supporters. This was encouraging, and at three o'clock l they returned and had their talk. but Senator Johnston and Representative Underwood did not go back with them | The Hundley supporters practically | used up their hour. going over the l controversy considerable and insisting | that Hund1ey was a fit man to be judge. and In effect urging President | Taft not take too much stock In what l the opponents of the acting Judge I Hundley said. Then they went over to place the matter before Attorney Gen | eral Wick ersham. He heard them patiently and promised to weigh their statements carefully.
 Hundley's friends admitted that they | got no definite promise from President Taft. They also said that the Presi. | dent told them 1t was q very perplex ing case. Still they claim they are encoura ged by their visit to the Presi | dent. John B. Knox said he was en. | couraged and Sterling Wood thought | the outlook was not so bad for hii
 man.
 | A we'll known man who has kep
 close track of this Hundlsy business
 and who Is known to be favorable t,
 him. said to-day:
 "As 1t Is now stands I think 1t l.
 nip and tuck between the opponent
 and supporters of Hundley. and iron
 what have been able to learn, I d, l not believe that Taft Is inclined t, | appoint Hundley."
 | Senator Johnston's Views.
 Senator Johnston was asked poin
 blank today what he thought of tn,
 situation, and though he did not car, | to be quoted as to the merits of tn,
 controversy. he had no hesitancy II
 saying that he believed that the maI
 who Is to be named by President Taf
 for judge Is going to be confirmed b, | the Senate. whether it is Hundley o I somebody else.
 Recently Hundley's Birmingham or
 ganization stated that 1t was re
 ported and that there was probabi!
 some basis for the statement. tha'
 Cardinal Gibbons. was going to mak | @ special visit to Washington to asl l President Taft to stand by Hundley l One of Hundley's friends says he doe
 not believe there is any truth in thi
 story. He is also frank to say that i
 the Cardinal were to come here ant
 take a hand in the fight. and in st
 doing bring religion into the struggle
 that the northern Meth hodists and othe
 protestant denominations would mak,
 a protest 50 loud and-so strong agains
 any such mix up of politics and re
 ligion that the administration woult
 not hear the last of 1t in three year
 to come, if ever. Very few peopl,
 think therefore that Cardinal Gibbons
 is going to dabble in politics for Hund
 ley or anybody else. They conside, him too far above 1t.
 Captain T. c. Bush. of Birmingham also had an audience with Presiden | Taft, this afternoon In the interest O Hundley. It is stated here that Captain | Bush came at the suggestion of thu 1 President
 l After he had gone over the tarin bill
 as framed by the Republicans member of the Ways and Means Committee ant which they did not permit MT. Under wood and other Democrats on the com i mittee to even see before they brough | 1t in, the Alabamtan sarcasticafiy re l marked:
 New England. at least~has won { fight. Free hides. free coal and fret | iron ore. And the woolen and cottor
 schedules are not materially reduc' ed"
 l