The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-12-20
Governor Is Enthusiastic in Talking About Outlook
 for MT. Underwood
NOT YET DECIDED ON
 TAX COMMISSIONER
Says He Expects a Number of Citi- zens to Call on Him Regarding Appointment During His
 Stay Here

Gov Emmet O'Neal arrived in Bir- mingham yesterday at noon. He was met at the train by three score and more citizens who greeted him with a warmth of interest that has not been his in Birmingham since being elected governor of Alabama. In walking out of the Louisville and Nashville station,
 busy citizens of Birmingham had for saken their work, even Christmas week, to walk to the station to pay their re- spects to Alabama's governor. As he walked out on Morris avenue to the Morris hotel he was the center of at- tention. Automobile occupants pointed the governor out and when he reached the Morris the lobby was crowded with distinguished men who paid their re- spects. The thought entered many minds and was suggested time and again that perhaps the cordial greeting l to Governor O'Neal was, on account of
 his attitude toward recent unpleasant references about him. He did not refer to the topic yesterday while talking to interviewers.
 To interviewers at the hotel Govern or O'Neal said he came up here prin- cipally on law suit that he started against the Tennessee Coal, Iron and
 Railroad company before elected gov
 ernor and which was to be heard this
 week, perhaps. He said however, that
 he wanted to talk to some Birming- ham citizens about the appointment of
 back tax commissioner and wanted to la, nI iticians for whom Birmingham is the
 Mecca today. Governor ONeal indicated
 that he would not take any hand in the state committee meeting today. He said that he believed the committee would handle the affairs before them with
 proper dignity and wisdom. He seemed
 inclined to talk of Oscar w. Underwood
 and said:
 q think Mir Underwood is one of the best equipped men in America for the presidency. l believe that he will get a
 solid delegation from Alabama, untram-
 meled by any instructions as to sec ond choice I have taken pains to in- quire as to the sentiment over the can
 didacy of MT. Underwood. I find with
 out exception in the east that he is possibly the strongest man that has been mentioned. At no time did I find
 any sentiment against him because of
 his coming from the south. Without exception eastern business men and others say that so far as they are con cerned the war is over and there is no south.
 q feel that MT. Underwood is the
 strongest of any candidate yet mem
 toned in New York state. l believe that he can carry that commonwealth. His conservative views, his wisdom on tariff questions, his masterful leader
 ship and his smiling tact, have won for him position in the regard of thinking men that is unequalled in American pol itics so far as 1 can recollect. l am convinced that Mr. Underwood will stand fine chance for the nomination
 when the convention time rolls around.' Governor ONeal said after paying Mr
 Underwood an unusually warm tribute
 that he had not yet made up his mind
 about back tax commissioner for Jeff
 some Jefferson county citizens to call
 upon him while in Birmingham and
 that he would consult them before arr
 irving at any conclusion He added
 that he wanted the best man for the place and intended to get the best tal- ent possible.
 J. Lee Long was on ,ne train with the
 governor, as well as Capt. w. T. Shee-
 han of the Montgomery Adverstiser, H..
 Y. Brooke and other men prominent in Alabama politics.