The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-31
GREAT TEXAS GROWS GREATER;
 SOME FACTS AND IMPRESSIONS
BY HUGH ". ROBERTS

 | Texas, having disposed of it's presiden- l tial primary and state convention, is now excited over a race for gubernatorial nomination.
 O. B. colquitt. incumbent Is seeking reelection. His opponent is William P. Ramsey, chief justice of the supreme court
 There is no well defined issue. The undercurrent of difference, however, is prohibition. Colquitt is a local optionst. Ramsey Is not. It is said that the present opposition to Colquitt developed as result of the gov ernors position when Texas was defeat ing prohibition. That position was not very positive. Colquitt simply stated that, in his opinion, prohibition was a theory which could not be put into practice. But Ramsey announced, and the prohi- bitionists of Texas declare that he will be elected. Colquitt will win. His ma jority is variously estimated as between 10000 and 5000.
 The rain which has handicapped farm CTS in Alabama and many other southern states, has proved a blessing to Texas. Texas for many years has possessed a thirsty soil
 The crops at the present time are ex- cellent Texas will produce almost enough cotton to clothe the world. In the heart of the cotton belt of the Lone Star state the people are rejoicing. Waco, which claims that within radius of 60 miles of that city one-sixth of the cotton of the world is produced, declares that in 1912 all previously established record will be smashed.
 Corn is fine. Other growing grain Is in excellent condition. The only fear now is a drouth Texas needs constant rain. A shower is soon forgotten.
 
 Reverting to politics, the plain people of Alabama may justly regret that no fight for oscar w. Underwood was made in Texas. The politicians may have had a reason, but that reason is not apparent to the man who observes no deeper than the surface.
 In primary Texas selected Woodrow Wilson over Judson Harmon and Champ Clark. Underwood was not mentioned. But 1t was not the fault of Texas.
 In the state convention held at Hous- ton this week there was strong Under wood sentiment. Had an effort been made to create a panic the panic would have followed. The powder was prepared. The match was lacking.
 But from what was gathered it is pre- dicted that if the south rallies to Under wood as the expectations are, Texas will follow the lead with shout The Texans, it seemed. took paregoric but not from choice.
 Texas cities are welded to municipal government by commissions. As is known. a commission took Galveston by the hand and led her to a position of safety after all had been lost in the flood. This gave the cue to other cities. Dallas, Houston. Austin and others followed suit. Smaller cities, as Waco. fell in line. But not San Antonio. the largest of them all, It is said that in that city one man has held the political rein of power for many years and that he will not release it. However, this may be, the truth remains that San Antonio has mayor and a board of aldermen. while all it's sister cities have commissions.
 As stated, the cities are pleased with their commissioners. They have right to be proud. They are all growing and are spending money lavishly for improve ments There is no Texas city standing still It is a marvellous country-Texas- one in which civic and state pride are predominant features.
 Texas Is so large than Texans have larg eideas. They think nothing of stretching a line of rail 40 50 or 100 miles Look at Dallas. That city possesses one of the most excellent interurban electric railways systems in the south. Magnifi- cent cars are operated and operated at marvellous speed Not only Fort Worth but every other city within radius of 100 miles Is connected with Dallas by rails of electric companies.
 Dallas capital did the work No out siders were invited. The need was ap- parent and Dallas awaited no other de- mand. Alabama is building the Tidewater system-has been building that system for eight or nine years
 Houston reminds one of Birmingham. Houston is building as Birmingham is. The Bender hotel one of the most mag nifcent, has just been completed. On every other corner structures are being torn down for bigger and better.
 Houston is hustins as Birmingham nustes Tne people move. There IS ac- tivity, energy, the spirit of daring that charms and captivates Dallas is bus- ness, too--a little bigger business than Houston. though not as spectacular. It is quieter and deeper.
 Galveston is the playground of Texas: San Antonio the garden of beauty and romance.
 rhe former every day in season reminds of Coney Island in miniature It has q beautiful beach. Surrounding the gulf are hotels. hall for dancing and other amusement. quaint storehouses with lit tie things for sale-an artificial city. in fact through and over which floats the strains Of music and the cry of fakir.
 San Antonio is little Spain, beautiful in its plazas and clutches, historical in it's Alamo. Conception and San Jose. TO- mantle in its atmosphere, picturesque in its little winding river and Its magnif- cent Breckenridge and army post.
 Texas abounds in automobiles and ho- tels. Every man has ais car The farm CTS use them. Texas has the magnificent distances and the means of getting over them. Tn Waco comparatively small. there are 200 automobiles. In Dallas there are three times that number. Were the