The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-01-27
Significant Victory In Fight
 Against Mansion
REPEATEDLY ON FLOOR
Situation Causes Considerable Specu- latiou Because Governor and MT. Percy Have Failed to Agree
 on Several Matters
BY HUGH W. ROBERTS

Montgomery, January 26-(Special.)-- If there was ever doubt that Walker Percy of Jefferson Is the strongest and most influential member of the house Of representatives, that doubt was dispeled this morning.
 He repeatedly seized the entire house in his palm and moulded 1t to his own way of thinking.
 His nost significant victory was the fight against the consideration of the bill appropriating s5O,O0o for the construction of a mansion for the governor The bill was the feature of the calendar for the day. It was generally believed that it would be passed. It Is now doubtful as 10 whether or not it will ever be effec- tive.
 MT. Percy opened the battle by offer ing a motion removing the bill from the calendar of the day and postponing Its consideration until February s. There was eharp opposition, but it melted away be- fore the volleys of the Jefferson repre- e sentative. His victory was keen cut one.
 MT. Percy's Day
 No sooner had the smoke of this battle disappeared than MT. Percy was on the floor again. He was speaking in favor of his bill amending section S4lS of the code which amendment will permit owners of land to lease such land for a period not exceeding 99 years. There was little opposition and the answering or names to the roll call was monotonous. The vote was S2 to ?.
 rrt.f ,l;~ pf Percy the floor and spoke in favor of the pas saee of his bill providing that money q sharltsys shall not charse a. higher rates of interest," than per cent per month, the point of the bill being that provision whereby the shark in case he charges a higher rate of interest. subjects him self to possible loss of the principal and the interest.
 Mrs Long of Butler offered an amend ment providing that all commissarles shall be prevented from charging the em- ployes of corporations more than 20 per cent profit on the cost of necessities. This was a slap at MT. Percy But Mir Percy nromptly took the floor, and suggested that the motion be tabled. It was tabled. pr. Huddleston of Fillmore, then speaking against the bill, sailed into the alleged oppression of corporations. MT. Percy returned to the attack in most prisk fashion and addressed many of his re- marks to Mir Long and Dr. Huddleston. The opposition wilted The vote was practically unanimous in favor Of the Dill, hut one voice being registered against if. that of MT. Fowlkes of Dallas.
 Attitute Causes Speculation
 On account of the statement of MT.
 to a of Governor O'Neal and matters pertain tng thereto.s which statement appeared in The Age-Herald Sunday, and caused wide comment, the action of the gentleman ega,nst the governors mansion bill this n,orninp has created considerable specu- lation.
 If is known that on several matters Governor O'Neal and MT. Percy have failed to agree, one of especial interest concerning the mode of selecting mem T hers of the commission which 1t Is sup posed will have charge of the municipai affairs of Birmingham.
 The speculation Is rife as to whether or not MT. Percy, intends an instruction against the administration and to what eTtent the same, if it materializes, will be conducted.
 The consensus of opinion seems to be- however. that MT. Percy's plans are In eccord with his statement on the floor of inc house this morning, which state snent was to the effect that he will stand Tor or oppose all bills. 1t matters not &heir so,,rce. whether from the corpora fions or the people or the admlnlstra.ion ,n exact accordance with his Ideas or right and wrong.