The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-21
Situation Made Known by
Telegram to Arlington
From Underwood
MISSISSIPPI MAKES
FIGHT FOR THE JOB
Alabama Delegation, However, Hopes
to Win Victory by Being Able
to CentraliZe on Some
One Man

The Alabama congressional delega ton
does not intend to sit idly by and permit
such choice plum as collector of the
port of Mobile to go to a resident of Mis-
Hsisslppi.
This fact became known yesterday
when w. II. Arlington, one of the appli-
oants for the eollectorship, received a tel
egram from Congressman Underwood.
The leader of the party did not express
himself as being sanguine of the success
of the effort of the delegation, and seemed
70 bank his hope of an Alabamian win
ming on the fact that Senator Williams
and Senator Vardaman of Mississippi
have failed to agree.
As soon as the news was flashed from
Washington that on account of the ap-
Fpointinent of John d. McNeal as collector
of internal revenue for Alabama and Mis-
sissippi. the collectorship of the port
would probably go to a resident of Mis-
sissippi,. the citizens of Mobile prepared
for battle. AS the Mississippi revenue col
1ections are inhnitesimal when compared
to the collections of the Alabama port,
Nobilians considered it outrageous that
the collectorship should go to resident
of any other state save Alabama.
Choice Not Named
Mr.. Underwood did not state the nanc
of the applicant on whom the Alabama
delegation had agreed. The members II
the delegation had indorsed several of
the applicants 1t was gathered from the
dispatch of the leader that in order to
concentrate the force, the delegation had
discarded differences and agreed to make
the fight for Alabama.
The complication in regard to the COL
iectorship of the Mobile port came about
as a result of the appointment of John
D. McNeel as collector of internal reve-
nue.. In the beginning, it was thought
that this position would go to a Missis-
sippian. This thought was accentuated
as a result of the general understanding
that Senator Bankhead would not be fa-
vorable to the confirmation of MeNeel.
The second report was to the effect that
Senator Bankhead, because of the insist
ence of Secretary McAdoo, would not op-
pose NcNeel in the event of the appoint
ment of Tyler Goodwin of Montgomery
as attorney for the middle district. When
1t afterwards became known that M
GOODWIN would not be appointed, the
appointment of McNeel was again in the
balance. When the kinks were finally
eliminated and EIcNeel was appointed and
confrmed. the report emanated from
Washington that Mississippi would be
given the eollectorship of the port OF
Mobile.
~ The Senators Disagree
From what can be gathered on the
surface. the hope of the Alabama dele
cation depends on the disagreement OF
the senators from Mississippi.
There are several Misslssppians un-
der the plum tree and each Of the sen.
ators has his favorite There are sew
eral Alabama citizens In pursuit of this
berth, and each is anxious to know II
he has been selected as the choice OF
the entire delegation
The appointment of Robert N. Bell, T
ID. Sanford, A. d. Pitts and Mr. Nc.
Neel, and their confirmation has cleared
UP the Alabama situation to a great ex.
tent. 1t is anticipated that the collector
of the Mobile port will be named next
Then will begin the dispensation of the
marshalships There are three to be filled
and for each there are several appli-
cants.
Northern Alabama is more deeply in.
terested in the struggle for the berth OF
marshal for the northern district Thomas
H. Long of Jasper has the Endorsement OF
Senator Bankhead, but if the report is
true that Senator BanRhead has been
eliminated a factor in the dispensa-
tion or patronage, there is no way oi
indicating who will be the successful APP
plicant