The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-05-04
URGED TO ENTER
GOVERNORS RACE
Judge R. B. Russell May OPP
pose Brown and Smith.
VOTE WOULD BE SPLIT
Another Man May Enter the Georgia
Contest But He Is Yet Mere
Possibility and Candidates
Are Not Announced.
VOTE WOULD BE SPLIT

Atlanta, May 3.-(Special. with ref
erence to the coming race for the gov
ernorship, it is said the first district
petition is addressed to Judge Richard
B. Russell of the state court of ap-
peals, urging him to enter the race.
Judge Russell himself has not seen
the petition, but has heard about it.
This petition has been more largely
signed in Bulloch county than anywhere
else, and that is one of the few counties
which Judge Russell carried in the race
of 1906.
The judge admits that he has the
matter of running very strongly under
consideration, but as he tells his friends,
he does not want to get mixed up in any
Hoke Smith-Joe Brown squabble. In fact,
none of the tentative candidates want to
do that, and the outlook is that If for
mer Governor Smith and Governor Brown
are both in the race it will be fought
out between them alone and without the
Intervention of other candidates.
In the event of Smith-Brown race,
the general impression appears to be
that the only effect of the entrance of
a third candidate. would be, in large
measure, at least, to split up the Brown
vote. This is based upon the idee that
Governor Smith has certain following
throughout the state-a good strong fol-
lowing-which will stick to him in any
contingency, thus giving him the advan-
tage in case the Brown vote should in
any way be divided
There is a prospect of a three, and
perhaps a four-cornered race, therefore,
in the event that Governor Smith keeps
out of it. For there will be a candi-
date representing the Smith principles,
in any event, and in addition there are
Judge Russell, Comptroller General
sibilities.
Former Governor Smith expects to
make known his intention within the next
few days. That is his promise to a
delegation from Cobb county and from
the travelling men of the state who visit
ed him at his house a few nights ago
and insisted on his making the race. He
said he would give his answer 'soon,'
but did not say how soon. 1T Is be-
lieved, however, that he will be heard
from before the meeting of the state ex-
ecutive committee which will not take
place until the latter part of the month.
Governor Brown, on the other hand,
may be counted on not to make any
announcement until after the state COM
mttee has met.
1t is pretty generally understood, In
any event. that Governor Brown does
not propose to make a campaign which
will take him away from the executive
office. He has pretty we'll travelled the
state, having visited more than 100 coun-
ties, and it is said whatever he has to
say to the people will be. said through
the newspapers, Just as In his former
campaign. And while it is going on, 1t
is stated, he expects to remain constant
ly in the executive office and attend
to the duties of governor So, whatever
campaigning is done on the stump will
be done by the other candidates.
There is, apparently. an absence of is
sues. Some were outlined not long since
by one Of the Smith leaders, but there
did not appear anything which, would
especially appeal to the people or stir
them up to any great extent.
OK course there will be so-called issues
presented by all the candidates; that Is
a part of the game. But the indications
point very much to campaign based
about as much on personality or in
dividuality as upon principles.
Plan of Reorganization.
It is understood the Atlanta Steel COM
pany in connection with its plan of re-
organization just announced. has bought
out Hugh T. Inman, who held the ma
jority of It's bonds, taking up practically
the full amount in cash.
The company Is an independent con-
Germ, yet, It Is said makes its prices
in accord with those of the Steel trust. In
the. reorganization it has increased its
outstanding capital by $330000, in addi-
tior to $4,000 OF common stock which
hos been held In the treasury, but which
Is now to be sold.
The outstanding bonds. $4,000, have
been retired. and a new issue of $4,000
put out, taking up the old bonds, and
the balance will be turned into the plant
as new capital. The company is putting
In a large amount of electrical machin-
ery to take the place of steam machinery.
The company will also issue $780, 900 of
additional preferred stock, there being
only $4,000 now outstanding. The total
common stock outstanding when that in
the treasury is sold will be $4,000, so
that the total capitalization of the plant
will be $1,453,000.
II is stated that the money from the
sale of this stock, together with the
surplus of the bonds. will place the
company in a very easy financial con-
dition, giving 1t ample working capital
which 1t has heretofore needed. The
directors state they have every reason
to anticipate a favorable season and
expect good business.
The reorganization plan was put
through by the Trust Company Of Geor-
gin of this city. in conjunction with its