The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-02
WHY UNDERWOODIS SURE ID LEAD HE DEMOCRATIC HOSTS Method of Campaign Is Not Fully Understood By
 Many Friends
OUTLINE OF PLANS
 FOR WAGING BATTLE
Calculations of Leaders Now Indi- cate That Alabamian Will Be Nominated on the
 Fifth Ballot
Ky c. NJ. STANLEY

Fly c. M. STANLEY
 Huntsville. June 1.-(special)-The first question asked by practically every Ala hamian of the man just back from the center of political activity is, Has Tn- derwood really a chance for the nomina- ton, or are we deluding ourselves7'
 The basis for this question Is the fact that the names of the other candidates are 80 much oftener in the public prints than che name of Mir Underwood. There are no spectacular campaign features, no 1 fireworks in the Underwood fight, but let 1 it be said right here in answer to the query that is in the minds of thousands of Alabamians. MT. Underwood's race at the close of this week is in better shape than | it has been at any time heretofore and MT. 1 Underwoods s chance of securing the nom ination is better than that of any man in the party,
 The reason that doubt has arisen in some minds is they have not understood the nature of the campaign that has been waged. MT. Underwood doesn't care to go to the convention with much moro than 100 instructed delegates. Even these delegates were secured at the points where least antagonism would be created 1 toward the other candidates. | Want Second Choice 1 The Underwood campaign management wants to have the Alabamian second choice to all the favorite sons and they want him to enter tn econvention in con dition to grow instead of exhibiting his maximum strength at the beginning. Nat urally, this sort of campaign has required the Underwood leaders to confer with great many of the state leaders In vari- ous parts of the country and this is the kind of hard, laborious effort which achieves results, but which does not att tract attention in the newspapers. For instance, it is now conceded every where that the cast will decide the Baiti- more nominations Everything west of the MississIppl river may be left absolute ly out of consideration so far as having any effort on the result Is concerned. Tho south and east will unite forces to tell the story. This fact constitutes Mir. un- derwoods good fortune. for he is tho conservative type that makes it's strong est appeal to the great industrial and commercial states of the east. The Plan of Battle If at any time between now and tho time the nomination is made the situation should look doubtful for the Alabamian. his friends should keep np courage, be- cause they will have plenty to cheer for l when the time comes. The other candt- dates will make the most noise during the early part of the convention. They will stir up lot of enthusiasm and Under woods friends will allow them plenty of rope As the balloting progresses it will be shown that each candidate on the | d. hac ehn strength with the exception of Under- | wood On the second or third ballot New Yorks 90 votes will suddenly swing to Underwood. This will be the signal that there is "something dolng.' But things will not he hurried. Various eastern states and important lake states will swing in gradually, following New Works lead and according to present calculations of the leaders Underwood will be notni- mated on the fifth ballot.
 By the time New York acts the par tisans of the other candidates will be pret- ty well worn out with their cheering and enthuslasm but 1t is just at this time that the Underwood rooters will begin to start things. When the others get "grog- gy" and have throats hoarse from tnelr early efforts. the Underwood crowd will be fresh and vigorous to jump into the arena.
 Not Merely on Paper
 And let no one think that this plan of battle has simply been set down on paper and left to work itself out. IL has been in the hands of master mlnas i Abie lieutenants have been doing their part, and the whole situation is under stood by those who really direct the polit- teal thought of the nation. No one real izes how formidable 1t is better than the republicans themselves. and especially tho Roosevelt crowd. If is this very tffhg that is making them try to stir np unrest among the democrats In various ways Have you noticed all thls recent Bryan talk? We'll it all comes from republican sources They would like nothing better than the nomination of Bryan But no democrat who really knows the situation pays any attention to such talk They simply smie
 scutherners know the south stood ioy- ally by Bryan through three campaisns- the only section of the country which did | so-and they know that when the south
 for fine first time since the civil war offers
 a candidate for the presidency Bryan , knlfes him. Will the south ever honor
 such an example Of ingratitude? The
 question is preposterous
 Process of Elimination r The leaders now believe that Roose- $ veil will be named and that among rad t tcals he can defeat any man the demo- , caats could name. This makes Wilson impossible.
 The leaders think Harmon is too oid-- nearly 7o-and he failed to get the en- , 1 thusiastc indorsement of his home state.
 which was absolutely essential in order [ for him to make q successful appeal to ,no national convention. This eliminates l him.
 The leaders know that Clark Is straining , every nerve and sinew to make his maxt-
 mum showing on the first ballot, and they
 know that when Clark fails 10 show even
 a majority on the first ballot he w'il
 hava exhausted his every resource. He
 can go no further.
 The leaders know that the other candt- . dates are all in the favorite son class.
 and that the first ballot will show them at , their best.
 The leaders also know-but suffice 1t to |, say Underwood men may safely go into 2 training for big celebration.