The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-24
Week Promises to Be Espec
 ia|ly Important
APPROACHING 4 FOCUS
Liquor Legislation and Commission Government Plans Will Probably Be Definitely Outlined With
 in Next Few Days
BY BERRyMAN G. BETTY


 Montgomery, January 23.-(speciaD- Ready for another four days of strenuous grind. Alabama representatives in the 1911 legislature rolled into Montgomery throughout today and tonight after rest of three days. Few of the solons were left In the capital city following upon the recess taken on Friday afternoon, and as consequence the re-filing of the Ex- change hotel lobby tonight gave the im- pression of busy week ahead of the legislators.
 Pursuant to the policy laid down by Judge E. B. Almon, speaker of the house of representatives, only four days work has been mapped out for the week. the probabilities being that Tuesday. Wednes- day and Thursday will be taken up in final passage of a number of bills now on the calendar. and in the introduction of other measures. Friday will probably be blank day in order that committees of both houses may have time to consider some of the many matters which will by that time be due a continued hearing.
 This suggested programme may be changed only with respect to the day of recess. Should the work in either house become congested the first two days of Thursday. Saturday session is quite probable.
 Approaching Focus
 Many of the measures which are being eagerly watched by residents of the state will approach focus during this weeks work, especially with regard to temper ance matters and commission government measures. |
 Many liquor measures of local interest are expected to be given a final inning tliis week. many zealous representa- .ives having already introduced measures in both houses which seek to settle the .ques- ton in so far as their particular commun- ities are concerned.
 In this connection. attention Is called by Representative John V. Smith of Montgomery to an error sent out of Mont somery on Saturday night, in which his temperance measure was referred to as a sweeping one, and as one advocating repeal of the present statewide laws.
 Liberal Restrictions
 Mr. Smiths measure falls far short of being drastic in any sense of the word, and, on the contrary, offers liberal re- striotions in the sale of liquors. His measure does provide for the sale of in- toxicants in Montgomery, but the restric- tions which he incorporated in the meas ure are among the severest yet included in any liquor bill
 As chairman of the temperance com mittee in the house MT. Smith regrets the erroneous impression should have spread In an interview given out in Montgomery he declares himself on rec ord as opposed to extremism. and he says that he is in favor of going slow fin consideration of all the temperance measures
 Going Slow Idcn
 The going slow suggestion of MT. Smith with respect to the liquor laws seems to be one of the general policies Of both houses In an effort to avoid all radical ism, the legislators are carefully con sidering the various measures which have already been introduced in the legisla- ture It is taken as the wisest move to be thoroughly acquainted with each sub feet before preciptating upon the state law which will not stand the test of time.
 Wisdom of the legislators In this re- spect is marked. Contrary to general ex- pectations, two weeks have flown by with out any material stride having been taken with the end in view of repeating the present statewide laws. That the present prohibition laws will be greatly modified so as to permit the sale or HQuOrS m a nufnDeTf Ol iS foreordained. But as yet caution has marked every step in this direction The solons are building around them wall that will be able to stand the assaults of the enemy in after years.
 Bankhead's Election At tomorrow's session of the legislature both houses of the legislature must again go into the nomination of a United States senator to succeed J. H. Bank head. whose term of office expires March 4. 1913. On Wednesday,. a joint session of the houses will be held for the purpose of formally. declaring the election. M \ Last week Senator Bankhead was for lnally reelected to the high office which ie- now occupies, but an error in the obstruction of the federal statutes gov eming the election of senators made the eletion without the sanction of the law. ThNse statutes provide that the election of suct senators shall be held on the second
 Tueday following the meeting and or
 gani@tion of the legislature. Last week
 was he second Tuesday of the 1911 ses-
 sion, but the first Tuesday after organ
 izatoA of the body.
 Senabr Bankhead will, of course. have
 as eass sailing --on Tuesday and We'd
 pesday as he had on last Tuesday an1