The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-09
IN HOTEL HOBBIES
Greeted By Old Friends

l Samuel A. Putnam, who is remembered as member of the Jefferson county bar in the early days. but who for 20 years has practiced law in Washington city. is on visit to Birmingham. He has many warm friends here and they are greeting him most gladly.
 T am in Birmingham for tho first time in four years, and I am greatly impressed with the growth and general improve ment of the city within that period. In the sos when was beginning to practice law Birmingham was small and 1t had l very little of the city appearance. I re- member the first three story building that was erected. It was known as the Terry building and 1t is still standing. It | is at the southeast corner of Second ave- nue and Nineteenth street-Adams' drug | store.
 T have visited most of the large cities l of the south and Birmingham is distinct ly more metropolitan than any of them, unless Atlanta be excepted Birmingham has, indeed. made wonderful strides. and there is no question about its great fu- ture."
 MT. Putnam having started in life in
 
 Birmingham, always something of a po~ ltical storm center, and now living in the national capital. naturally looks on with keen interest. When asked about the presidential situation. he said: "I am an ardent admirer of oscar Un- derwood, and in my opinion there is no one living today who would make such an ideal President as this Alabama states | man. He was always a cool, level head | ed politician, with pure motives, and haV- ing been a student of government ever since he began his public career. he is exceptionally well equipped for leader ship and constructive work. His mind | has broadened steadily, and with his cour- age and parliamentary skill he is prepared to administer this government as 1t should be administered Yes, Underwood is the best equipped man in America for the presidency.
 Now as to Baltimore and the nomina- tion, my observations lead me to say this; | William Jennings Bryan will organize to make himself felt in the national conven- | ton. He has been getting ready for the | fight for year or more. The convention | WILL Dc tldu6 up OL oAA 1pAio"NAo ptA the one hand and anti-Bryan men on the other, but notwithstanding the fact that Bryan has a better organization than any one of the other candidates, he will not be able to control. "Of the formal candidates for the nomi- nation, Champ Clark has, as everybody knows, the largest number of delegates, but he has not majority His friends | have been claiming that he would go into the convention with majority, and with such a following he would soon get the necessary two-thirds, but Clark hasn't a majority. He and Wilson and Harmon will be at their best on the first ballot They will not be able to gain any votes. I would not be surprised to see Gaynor cut an important figure in the conven- tion.
 'If were offering a wager I would bet that the nominee would be either Under wood or Gaynor. I would be willing to make this bet against the field. Under wood has commended himself to thought ful men everywhere, and I really believe that he will be the winner at Baltimore, with a splendid chance of being elected in November