The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-11-23
IEFFERSON'S SON
CERTAIN WINNER
IS CAPITAL VIEW
The Short Campaign Brings
Thousands of New Re-
cruits to Underwood
CLAYTON'S CHANCES
HANG IN BALANCE
Underwood's Strength Measured by
Entire State, Every County Making
II Plain the House Leader Will
Receive Enormous Vote
nv T.. s. BETTY

Montgomery, November 22.-(Spo-
cial. Oscar w. Underwood is sure to
be elected United States senator.
Representative Henry d. Clayton's
chances for reelection to Congress
from the Third district are hanging in
the balance.
Developments of the past few weeks
have forced upon the minds of polit-
ical leaders everywhere in the state
these two conclusions. While the elec-
ton OF Mr. Underwood has never been
doubted, recent circumstances have
combined to give even greater assur-
ance of his victory, and his success is
now regarded as Inevitable.
Mr.. Clayton's success In his race was
thought to he certain when he first
announced for recollection to Congress
from the Third district, but circum-
starces--or rather a misinterpretation
of certain political happenings-have
served to initiate against him with
the result that, Notwithstanding Pres
ident Wilson's letter asking him to
retain the craftsmanship of the House
committee of the judiciary, he may
be forced to relinquish that high hon
or and retire before the victorious
lance OF HIS present opponent for con-
gresslonal honors.
OF course, this is by no means an
infa1lible Interpretation of recent cir
cuinstances and certain happenings In
official circles, but ii cannot be denied
that it is the conclusion which many
have reached.
Why ClaytOn's Chances Are Uncertain
Notwithstanding the fact that the gov
ernor of Alabama and many other high
officials have given positive assurance
that there was no ''frame-up' in Mr.
Clayton's retirement from the senatorial
race, it is difficult to make the majority
of people in the Third district believe
this, and, consequently, they look upon
this little happening" with resentment
in their resentment, they have singled
out Mr.. Clayton as the one upon whom
to visit their i'll WILL believing that he
was made the goat by a certain class
of gentlemen-high in official lfe-and
that he acted in bad faith when he an
nounced for reelection to Congress after
having declared his senatorial candidacy.
This view of the situation declared to
be incorrect by the governor and others
who We're in Washington at the time of
Mr.. Clayton's retirement from the race
for the Senate. is held by a large number
of people in the Third district. They ap-
preciatc President Wilson's kind letter re-
questing Mr.. Clayton's further services
on the judiciary committee, but it is hard
to make them believe that ii was not in
spired by other motives.
The result is that during Mr. CLAYTON S
service OF 20 years in Congress, he has
never had race upon which the issue
was more uncertain than his present con-
test His friends are laboring with inde-
fatigable energy to secure his reelection
10 -tat..
apprehenslve of their success. On the
other hand, the forces of Henry b.
Steagall of Ozark, Mr.. Clayton's opponent
for Congress, are confident that they will
elect the Ozark candidate by an over
whelming vote.
Mr.. Clayton is making a vigorous cam
paign of mis- district, and he feels that
he will have enough of his old following
on the day of the primary to give him
the nomination. Despite the fact that
practically all of the newspapers in his
district are opposing him, he feels as
sured of success and he thinks, mora
over, that the tide will turn overwhelm-
ngly in his favor at the proper time
Underwood Stronger Than Ever
Mr.. Underwood is stronger in the state
today than he was before he began his
senatorial campaign, and at that time he
was SO strong that he would have de-
feated Capt. r. P. Hobson, had the cleo
ton been held then, by enormous odds.
The short campaign which the majority
leader in Congress has made in the state
has served to bring thousands of new re-
oruits to his standard. Everywhere he
has appeared in the state he has been
greeted by thousands of people, eager to
see and to hear the peerless Alabamian
who has brought such signal distinction
to his state and party. and the ovation
he has received has been such as to
convince the most casual observer that
there is no possible way of bringing about
his defeat
AT first it was declared, because his
home Is in the Ninth district, that he
would be able to poll a larger vote in
north Alabama than in the southern part
of the state, but when he visited Mobile
and other cities near the gulf this sup
position was Immediately dissipated.
As matter of fact Mr.. Underwood's
strength is measured by the entire state.
every county in Alabama having made
it plain during the past few weeks that
1t will share honors with the rest in Civ
ing the popular House leader the largest
vote ever received by candidate, with
opposition for any public office in the
gift of the people of this state.