The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-03-04
In Making Appointments to Federal Office in South.
 Republicans Disguised
RECEIVING
 ESPECIAL ATTENTION
Democrats Said to Be Indignant as to How Patronage Is Distributed in the South-Butler
 Issues Statement
By WALTER HARPER

Washington, March S.--tspecial)-As Ill., dicated today President Taft will havs hard sailing in making appointments 10 federal offices in the south until after the national convention in June.
 It Is claimed that both regular and in- surgent republicans in the Senate have become dlsgusted with the alleged manner in which federal patronage is being 1is- tributed in the south by the administra- ton 1t is hinted on good authority that no further appointments will be confirmed by the Senate without a full investigation and a fight
 IL is claimed that for some time ap- pointments have been distributed with a view to holding tho republican machiae in the south true to the support of the ad- minstration This is said to be especi- ally the case since 1t appeared that Theo- dore Roosevelt would oppose the nomina4 tion of Taft.
 Senator Dixon of Montana who has just taken charge of Rooseveits campaign in Washington, is a native of the south and is thoroughly familiar with republican political tactics in that section. He is devotng especial attention to this feature of the campaign and is directing much of the energy of the campaign to conditions in the south. Senator Dixon is a native of North Carolina
 Democrats Indignant
 The democratic members of the Sem ate, especially those from the southern states. are also said 10 be very indignant a the manner in which federal patronage is being distributed in that section and may lend their support to any effort or the republicans 10 correct the alleged evil.
 Ii was declared at the Roosevelt head- quarters today that astounding evidence concerning the activity of federal office- holders in the south was coming to light. One of the most sensational charges ls that fpo$toffice inspectors are being use8 and that evidence has come to light of letters henig written 10 postmaaters yir- tually threatening trouble for them if they | support Roosevelt
 Ala bama is said to have been the sent of no little activity of this sort. But at the same time il is asserted that post masters are being dragooned Into lns in other states.
 The conditions in Alabama are receiving especial attention from those in charge of the Roosevelt campaign. Indeed, it Is de- clared that some of Tafts supporters arc becoming dlsgusted with the alleged un- due activity of Alabama offlceholders and tho manner in which patronage has been distributed in that state.
 Headquarters Changed
 Roosevelt headquarters, which were originally opened on the tenth floor of the Munsey building. were today moved down 10 the fourth floor when the entire front Of the building Is taken, including offices down both sides, The Age -Iersld's Wash ngton bureau is on the same floor and al- most surrounded by this insurgent ac- tivity
 A statement issued tonight through tho Roosevelt headquarters from A. B. Butler, an oil operator of Oklahoma. Is significant of the split that Is being wldened in the republican party and that presages tho sure success of the democratic party next fall
 MT. Butler says in part:
 Senator BeYeridge is undoubtedly cor rect in his statement that if Roosevelt is nominated he will carry the otherwise democratic state of Oklahoma into the re- publican column. The people of that state are disgusted and disappointed with tho supine. resctionary administration of Taft aud they are equally disgusted, regardless of party line, with the incompetent ani extravag gant administration of the states offices by the local democratic party. They will not support the present repub- lican organization in the state, however, controlled as if is by the reactionary fed eral oficeholdng ring, and will vote tho democratic ticket, as usual"