The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-07-20
Rumblings Already Heard
That Labor and Socialism
Two Different Things
PETITIONS IN RACE
BEING CIRCULATED
Now Believed Ward, Hornady and
Wood Will Be Only Candidates
for Exum's Place-Ward
Discusses Rumors
by HUGH w. ROBERTS

The development OF the impending
break between labor and Clement r.
Wood. the socialist candidate for the pres
idency of thescity commission. is destined
to be the next feature of the municipal
campaign.
That Mr.. Wood will be deprived of the
united labor vote, on which ne has de .
pended, and for which he has made an ap-
parent play, is considered certain There
were rumblirgs even in the beginning of
last week. At the end there was open
clamor that labor withhold its pledge.
Editorial organs of labor have expressed
disapproval of the candidacy of Mr. Wood
It has been stated that there is a distinct
line of demarcation between labor and Sc
calism, and that the socialistic element
has by attempting to gobbe up the labor
vote deprived labor of the right of CENTER
ing itself on a candidate of its own selec-
ten.
AS is known, before the dismissal Of
Wood from the service of the city. labor
stood grooming James B. Drake. There is
no question bui that every vote of organ
lied labor would have been polled for Mr.
Drake. In that the announcement of Mr..
Wood on labor and socialistic platform
had forestalled any action which labor
itself might have contemplated. there is
certain dissatisfaction While Mr.. Drake
might not announce his candidacy. II is
deemed certain that on Mr.. Wood .labor
VIII not center its united strength.
Petitions in Circulation
The campaign is fast getting under way.
At the present time petitions are being
circulated in the interest of John r. Horn
ady and Mr.. Wood. These petitions are
being readily signed. The petition os
George B. Ward will be on the streets to-
morrow.
There has never been ground for an
prehensien lest Mr.. Wood might NOT he
able to secure the signatures of the neces-
sary 800 qualified voters If Is stated
that many n.en have signed. or are wtIlin :,
| to sign his petition, who will not sunnort
him in the election. There seems 10 he
a Keen des1re that he remain in the race
There seems to be a desire that bis
strength be proved, and the strength of
the socialistic element of Birmingham so
ciety.
| AS a matter of fact, MANY studants n,
/ R'ttN'Nr WOO0
will receive a fewer number of votes than
| the 500 rames which will be signed TO his
petition. Last week wager was offered
and accepted that he would receive less
than 1000 votes
| Since the formal retirement from politics
| of Culpepper Exum 1t Is considered reas-
onably certain that there will be no other
candidates save Ward. Hornady and
Wood. Others who have been mentioned
are Thomas c. Mcdonald, M. Fl. Mellow
| ell, j. p. Drake, DIR. r. NJ Cunningham
and others.
| Rumor About Ward
The campaign has already advanced TO
| the rumor stage. 1t was reported Sat
urday that George g. Ward had embraced
female suffrage, had agreed, In case of
his election. to foster that novel doctrine.
and to aid with his influence in the pass
| age of an equal suffrage amendment to
the constitution.
Friends of MIR. Ward, upset by the circu-
lation of the report, which. 1t stands to
reason, could not materially enhance his
present opportunity. rushed TO headquar-
| ters to find out the truth.
MIR. Ward declined to make a formal de-
nial Il have been too long in politics,
said 4ie. ITO deny every rumor. Those who
are circulating rumors will continue to