The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-19
Effort to Minimize Effect of the Split Is Very
 Weak
WILSON SUPPORT TO
 GOTO UNDERWOOD
MT. Underwood Declines to Discuss the Wilson Situation or the Wat terson Statement in Any Way.
 Is Busy in the House
By WALTER HARPER

Washington, January 1s.-(Special.)- oscar Underwood ioomed large today in Washington political circles. The immedi- ate cause of the upward fuctuatlon in the Alsbamian's stock was the strain between Colonel Harvey of Harper's publication and Governor Candidate Wilson of New Jersey. Henry watterson's statement of the break between the presidential candi- date and his packer was the elincher.
 While there were few who tried to minimize the effect of the Harvey-Wilson split, the effort was weak. The general opinion is that Wilson will lose very great following through his seeming in gratitude. However, his friends are claim ing that his courage in breaking away from influences that are alleged to be bad will strengthen him.
 Turn to Underwood
 But there is no mistaking the fact that a great majority of the politicians turned to more available candidates, and Under wood was brought strongly to the front on every side. No one seems to believe that the Wilson following will go to liar mon. oscar Underwood and Speaker Clark came in for the largest part of the new discussions, and Underwood was put strongly to the front
 One New York politician declared that New York is ready to support MT. Under wood if he comes to the convention with a reasonably strong indorsement from the south.
 UnderwoOd's Initial Strength
 II is halia,,ad that a q natters now stand Underwood will have as much initial strength in the convention as any other man outside of Harmon and Wilson. It is believed that he will have more, and may stand second with pledged support by the time of the meeting of the con- vention Every one at all familiar with the situation admits that Underwood is as strong as any of the candidates outside the trgs mentioneds The hope of tlae ua- derwood supporters has been deadlock between Harmon and Wilson. If senti- ment continues to grow as it has for the past month Underwood may enter the convention as strong as either of the men mentioned and be in position to draw ad- ditional support of substantial propor- tions early in the proceedings.
 It is practically admitted in Washingt ton today that Underwood will come to the convention with delegates instructed from Alabama, Mississippi and Georgia, with good chance of holding those of Ten nessee. It is already conceded that he will have some of the delegates from Tennessee, and if the present tendency de- vlops stronger Texas will probably give him good initial support.
 May Get New York
 With good showing from the south on the assembling of the convention New York and Illinois will look with favor on Underwood and may give him immediate support. If this should happen 1t is easy to see that other states north and south would quickly fall in line.
 MT Underwood declined to discuss the Wilson situation or the Watterson state ment of the affair in any way. In fact, MT Underwood is not discussing politics in any form
 He is busy with his duties in the House and will not permit his attention to be di- verted