The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-01
Believes if Alabamian Car ries Georgia and Florida
 There's Nothing to Fear
DECLARES GEORGIA
 RACE WILL BE CLOSE
Regards Taft Roosevelt Controversy as Calculated to Materially Aid Democrats in Securing Vic
 tory in November

Montgomery, April 30.-(Speoia1.)- "If oscar Underwood carries Florida and Georgia there will be little doubt as to his carrying Mississippi. North Carolina, probably Tennessee and other southern states. This will give Under wood a great nucleus upon which to make a bid for some of the northern states and the vest
 Such is the optimism of Gov. Emmet O'Neal, who returned this afternoon from Georgia, where he has been mak- ing speeches in the interest of oscar U1derwoods campaign in that state. The governor spoke last night in At lanta, where he had large and en- thusiastic audience of Underwood SUD- porters. The governor declared that he had enjoyed his visit to Georgia and expressed great pleasure over the ready response on the part of Georgians to IInderwoods candidacy for the presi- dency of the United States
 Governor ONeal declared that the race in Georgia would be close between Underwood and Wilson as the friends of the latter have been conducting a SfiiouS tdiiiDaiS II III tiidi Stitt.
 Each side Is claiming the victory" said the executive, but the Underwood supporters are. of course, anticipating victory. So far as l could see, Un- derwood has an excellent chance and believe he will capture the Georgia delegates"
 The governor then spoke of his trip, declar ring that he had received many kind attentions from the moment he reached the state until his departure, early this morning. He said that Geor- gia hospitality could not be surpassed and he expressed great pleasure in be- ing able to visit in that state.
 Taft and Roosevelt Controversy
 Governor ONeal declared that he re- garded the controversy between Pres ident Taft and Theodore Roosevelt as calculated to materially aid the dem ocrats- of the country in securing yic- tory next November. expressing the opinion that the fight between the two would have a strong tendency to dis Tupt the republican forces
 "rhe controversy between the Pres ident and the ex-President is a dis grace to the American nation" said Governor O'Neal. and I believe it will work to the advantage of democracy The fight is one of the bitterest that
 
 ical life in a number of years and it will have a tendency, in my opinion. to disrupt the republican forces Taft's supporters are fighting Roosevelt and the friends of the ex-President are just as bitter in their attacks upon the President It is hardly possible that the Chicago convention, which will probably nominate one of. these two. will have the effect of obliteratlng the memory of this bitter fight to such Gn extent as to solidify the republican party. causing it to unite in con- certed effort to defeat the democratic candidate
 Governor O'Neal said he believed tho democrats had a better chance of vic tory in the next presidential election than they have had in a number of years, inasmuch as the democratic columns were united and in the cleo tion campaign would combine all the6r forces to secure the election of the nominee of that party.
 Governor O'Neal reached his office about 1 o'clock this afternoon and spent the entire afternoon looking over his correspondence and attending to other routine matters