The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-26
GOVERNOR MAKES
 VISIT ID MOBILE No Action Taken on Bir- mingham Commission SPLIT SESSION TALK Smith Regulation Bill and Revenue Measure Will Probably Furnish
 the Pyrotechnics During
 Coming Week
SPLIT SESSION TALK
By BERRYMAN G. BETTY

Legislative activities were duller to- day than at any time since the solons began their deliberations in Montgom- cry on January 10. The lobby wes ex- traordinarily dull during the day, as was the legislative gossip in capitol circles.
 Contrary to expectations, Governor O'Neal did not sign during the day the Birmingham commission bill, while no developments of any kind were re- ported from the chief executives of fee. Tonight his excellency left for Mobile. where he is to spend Sunday and Monday. hence a condition resem- bling a morgue Is to be expected dur Ing the absence of the capitol folk and tho legislative following.
 Barely more than a third of the solons availed themselves of the op portunity to see Mobile and its quaint Mardi Gras festivities. But those who did leave on the train tonight carried enough enthusiasm with them to atone for the absence of the other legislators. Split Session Situation From what could be gleamed at the hotel lobby today. the majority of the legislators are in favor of a split ses- sion, though they doubt the wisdom of such an order The calendars In the two houses arc in no condition to per init adjournment within the week. while adjournment after next week would barely allow time for the passage of even local bills. The result is that the regular session will be continued at a four-d -daysa- week rate which will mean adjournment sine die about the first week in April.
 Whatever legislation is desired after that time. if it Is secured, can only be had by a split session.
 Without doubt the majority of the so- Ions believe that legislation could be aided by a temporary rest, and among these is Judge E. B. Almon, speaker Of the house. But the great amount of imperative unfinished business has rele- gated these beliefs and wishes to the background.
 Regulation Bills
 Regulation bills to accompany the local option law will furnish much of the pyrotechnics of the immediate futures, as will the revenue bill. The Smith reg ulation bill, which has been made the special paramount continuing order for Thursday, March 2. at noon, will pass the house with little opposition. The opinion which obtains among majority of the local optionists is that the bill will pass with practically no amendment Changes, if any, it is believed. will be of a minor nature, none of the amend ments affecting any of the main features of the bill.
 Local optionists are agreed that the chief fight has been made, the passage of the Parks local option bill being as indicative of the strength on their side. This bill opened the way for regulation, and inasmuch as the Smith bill seems to harmonize with the popular idea In regard to the regulation features, with few minor exceptions, the passage of the measure is regarded as certain.
 The bill has been set for Thursday in order that both sides might have suffi- cient time to prepare for any debate which may be made. It Is generally con- ceded that the measure will be opposed by the prohibitionists in the house, but 1t is also believed that many who op- posed the passage of the Parks bill will vote for the regulation measure.
 A conservative estimate of the number of votes which the bill will receive is, in the opinion of many local optionistA between 65 and 75. Friends of the bill believe that the measure will receive at least two-thirds of the votes of the house.
 The caption of the Smith bill provides for the regulation of the sale of liquor Ill cities and towns of the state with. or without, an election. The phrase-or WitnOut-1S taKlDg as lnO1callVe OI d pOS- sible effort on the part of some of the larger cities of the state to enter upon the regulation of the sale of liquor with out the delay of an election.
 It Is believed. however, that only Bir- mingham, Montgomery and Mobile will avail themselves of this saving" feature of the bill. Montgomery and Mobile arc particularly opposed to an election, and there is known to be opposition to an election in Birmingham, though not to so great an extent as in the other two cities.
 However the without" feature in tho caption of the bill may be construed. it is believed, that local bills will be intro- duced to exempt Montgomery, Mobile, and possibly Birmingham. from the necessity Of holding an election. The announce ment has been made that bill applying to Montgomery is already in the course of preparation, and this bill will probably be introduced the latter part of next week.
 Whether or not the Smith bill provides for the regulation of the sale of liquor without an election in any of the cities of the state, or whether the phrase-or with out-may be construed that way, has not been definitely determined, but it has given considerable food for thought.