The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-21
Possible That There May Be
Other Candidates For
Commissioner
JOHN L. PARKER
MAY GET IN RACE
M. H. Mcdowell Also Regarded as a
Possibility-Majority Rules May
Mean Second Election-Cam-
paigns Inexpensive

With the circulation of three petit
tions by means of which as many can
didates hope to qualify for the en-
suing campaign for the presidency OF
the city commission, municipal poll
tics is fast putting state politics In
cold storage. Time has come, as a
matter of fact. when residents of Bir-
mingham are Indifferent as to whether
B. B. Conner "roasts" Charles Hender-
son. or whether Charles Henderson
''roasts' b. B. Conner.
While the municipal campaign is
just getting under way interest is
rampant. This is due especially to
the rumored possibility that there will
be other candidates than George B.
Ward, John r. Hornady, and Clement
Wood AS a matter. 1t is now consid
cred possible that there are as many
people ambitious in regard to the mu-
nicipal government. and are already
anxious to acquire the reins of the
state government-and incidentally, the
fat salary which to the next governor,
PEELED to pay.
Other Candidates Possible
1t Is reported. although there is no
way of confirming the report, that be-
fore the conclusion of the week. at
least two additional candidates for the
presidency of the commission will have
been developed. The names mentioned
are those of John l. Parker, the well
known druggist. and II. II. Mcdowell OF
Ensley. 1t is known that DR.. Parker
would enjoy another flight over fields
political, and while 1t is reported that
as a result of long consideration, he
is about to announce, it is impossible
to render a prediction that should
carry any material weight. DR.. Par
ker, himself, will say nothing, save
that he will let the people know within
day or so. Mr. Mcdowell, firmly
convinced that the suburbs should have
representative, declares that he has
not determined on what course he will
pursue. Like DIR. Parker, he would en-
joy mingling again with governing
board of a great city. but it is be.
lieved that he will, before announc.
ing himself a candidate, endeavor t.
ascertain whether. or not the suburb,
| to the east of the city will join til,
suburbs to the west in an effort t,
gain for their representative. the chair
manship of the commission
Might Be "Runover'
There is a probability that on Sep
tember Is. the winner Will not be
chosen For the commission govern
ment bill provides that the successful
applicant must have received major.
ity of the total vote cast.
With the Rpls excluded to the present
three candidates, it is considered very
probable that either Mr.. Ward or Mr.
Hornady would secure majority of the
votes, but should DIR. Parker and Mr.. Me-
Dowell enter, it is very probable that nc
candidate would be complimented by q
majority vote.
Should no candidate secure majority
of the votes cast, another election would
be held this to occur one week from the
date of the first. In the second election
the balloting will be excluded to the can
didates who will have received the high
est and next highest vote in the first cleo
tion.
| The question has been raised as to
whether or not one voter may legally
sigh the petition OF more tnan one candi-
date, this in view of the fact that peti-
tions are now in circulation and are be-
ing rapidly signed 1t seems to be the in
tention of the commission government bill
that no voter shall sign more than one
petition. but no penalty is provided and
the general construction is that voter
may, If he selects, sign all the petitions
Thus 1t might happen that 500 men may
put as many candidates in the race.
Campaign Is Unique
None of the candidates who have an
nounced will conduct formal campaign
that is, a campaign under the direction OF
a manager. Some weeks ago Mr. Ward
announced that he would not name a man.
ager. Yesterday Mr. Hornady declared
that he could not see the necessity OF
naming a manager. 1t has been gener-
ally understood that the campaign of Mr.
Wood was and would be under the direc-
tion of Fred de Wolfe. but that gentle.
man has notified The Age-Herald that the
general understanding was based on er.
ror. and that his connection with the can.
didate is simply and only in the capacity
of ardent supporter.
The campaign promises to be interesting
especially should one or more stronl
candidates enter And 1t will be UNIQUE
according to indications, In that compara-
lively little money will be expended. The
fight will be without expensive fire.
works" and thus. in another regard, will
be in keeping with the spirit of the bill
which provided for the creation of com
mission form of government In Birming-
1 L..