The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-01
THE DEMOCRATIC SITUATION TODAY MOST INTERESTING Sentiment in Favor of Un- derwO0d's Nomination Is
 Growing Daily
GEORGIA LEANING
 TOWARD UNDERWOOD
Harmon and Wilson Will Have Ward Fights in Ohio and New Jersey. Clark Has Largest Number
 Instructed Delegates
By WALTER HARPER

Fly WALTER HAHPER
 Washington, March 31.-(SpecialD- D--Nhen the democrats of Alabama, in their pri- marIes tomorrow, practically instruct then 24 delegates to the national convention for Oscar Underwood that candidate will be placed squarely in the fight for national recognition. He will have nine more dele gates than have been instructed for Wood- row Wilson, who is considered as the strongest candidate.
 The indorsement of the Alabama demo- crats is of peculiar value. in that the very desirable result has been accomp- llshed without opposition. The other lead ing candidates have had to fight for the Endorsement of their home delegations and two of them will not be successful in this result, according to the best advices. Harmon will have to fight hard in his own state and so will Wilson. It is con ceded that neither will carry his full state delegation. Clark got his state delega- tion, but he had to work for It. Ala bama is doing well and this unanimous support of his home people will give him great impetus in the national contest
 The democratic situation today Is most interesting. Democratic leaders in Wash ington are making many figures on the present situation and the prospects facing each of the four leading candidates.
 All concede that oscar Underwood is growing. Sentiment favoring his nomina- ton is probably growing just now more rapidly and more surely than that of any of the other candidates. While it Is be- lieved that just at the present time Wool row Wilson is the strongest man in the field, 1t seems to be the concensus of opinion that he has reached the zenith of his strength and, indeed, is losing ground in some sections It is not believed that he will at any time be stronger than he is today and 1t Is believed that the development of the other three or some of the other candidates will draw materially from his following. ] Governor Wilson has the adyantsge Pt l having heSh flst In the field with vol organized and 4 very aggressive cam pagn. He soon gathered the maximum of his strength. It is not believed that he will be able to hold all that he appears now to have up to the convention. Clark and Underwood are bound to make strong Inroaus into states that are now claimed by the Wilson people.
 Georgia for Underwood
 An impartial report published in neu- tral New York paper today declares that while Wilson at one time had Georgia in his vest pocket that sentiment in that state has recently turned decidedly to Un- derwood and that 1t now appears that Un- derwood will carry the full Georgia del- egation. This report coincdes with the best information that has come to Wash ington direct. However, the managers of the Underwood campaign are making no boastful claims. They feel confident that Georgia is now safely in the Underwood column and they are satisfied. The same condition seems to exist in Mississippi. and probably Florida, though Harmon has had considerable strength in the latter state
 As the cold figures now stand, Champ Clark has the largest number of instructed delegates. by reason of the fact that those states, including his home state, have already held their conventions and named the delegates.
 So far Underwood has no delegates to his credit for the reason that none of the states that are expected to give him initial support have selected delegates. The same Is true of Har- mon with the exception of Maine, where he divided delegates with Governor Wilson
 Those who are supporting Oscar Un- derwood are more than pleased with the situation today. The fact that all concede that he Is growing and that this growth is not confined to any sec tion of the country Is just the result that Is desired. Underwood was tho last man to get into the race. He is making no fight himself. He has left the matter entirely in the hands of his friends with the positive iu- struction that no .antagonism of any other man in the race shall be per- mitted. He is simply doing his duty as he sees il for the best interests of the country and his party, and is ready and willing to accept the norn- inatlon if 1t comes to him But 1t m. n
 Underwood Sentiment Growing
 The Underwood sentiment will con tinue to grow up to the hour of the nomination. This growth will be healthy and conservative. It will never be humpered by any antagonism of any man or interest within the party Un- derwood will stand out clean and free in the convention. a man to whom all may turn without compromise or hu- initiation.
 It is the majority of opinion among democrats not actively engaged in the cause of some one of the candidates that the nominee of the party will be selecte: by the convention after 1t as- sembles at Baltimore No set of dele- gates will carry the nomination to the convention.
 With such d condition the friends of Oscar Underwood feel that his chances are as good or better than those of any other man in the field.
 To strengthen the sentiment that is now known to be growing in every state of the union, Senator Bankhead has just completed plans to broaden his campaign activities and extend the work of the bureau into every state. This extended campaign will be con- ducted on the same broad liberal plain as heretofore. There will be no an- tagonism anywhere The intention Is to only call the attention of the people to the record and availability of Oscar Underwood.