The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-29
Looks Like Alabama Might
Have to Choose Among
Six Men for Governor
REPRESENTING ALL
SHADES OF OPINION
II Henderson and Conner Both Enter,
Lee Long Will Also Be There.
Kolb, Seed and Wallace
the Others
nv HUGH w. ROBERTS

Montgomery, April 2s.-(Speciai)-The
livest report In political circles is that
Charles Henderson, president of the rail-
road commission. viii, irrespective of the
action of B. B, Conner, be a candidate
next year for the gubernatorial nomina-
tion.
It has been known for many months
that Mr. Henderson was harboring an
ambition to be the next governor of his
state but it has always been believed
by political savants that he would not
run IL Mr. Conner became a candidate.
According to the report which was cur
rent for the first time today, he will en-
ter In the belief that Mr.. Conner is not
the only man who has served the state
in an effort to make the dream Of cheap
railroad rates a reality.
Now, should Mr.. Conner and Mr.. Hon
derson both enter the race. there will be
still another candidate. That candidate
will be J. Lee Long president of the
state tax commission.
May Be Six Candidates
1t is probable, therefore, that there will
be as many as six candidates. Capt. r.
r. Kolb has already announced. 1t is
generally known that Walter d. Seed
will enter. 1t is currently reported that
Mr.. Conner will not only be a candidate
but that with Rooseveltian tactics he
has announced June as the time and Ope-
lfiSa as the place In which to make his
formal announcement. John II. Wallace,
Jr, chairman of the fish and game COM
mission, is a tentative candidate, and
his friends here declare that he will
soon make his formal announcement. AS
indicated above, Mr.. Henderson must be
considered and Mr.. Long
To select choice from such for
midable array of statesmen the voter
will be compelled to spend many rest
less nights. Mr.. Conner will have a claim
on the prohibitionists. Mr. Henderson
will claim the anti-raiIroaders because
his commission has recently re-enacted
to the best of its ability, the dead rates
of Conner Mr.. Long will also make a
bid for the favor of this contingent be-
cause 1t was he who led the Conner fight
in the legislature of 1907. Mr.. Kolb and
Mr.. Wallace have publicly stated their
positions, local option in regard to the
liquor traffic, and regulation without an
initiation in regard to railroads.
Longs Position
Mr.. Longs position in reference to
railroads is identical with that of Mr..
Conner. As stated. he was the admins
tration's floor leader In the time of the
Conner legislature He was the right
hand man of Conner. as a matter of fact,
until Conner abandoned that plank of his
platform which declared for local option
and went over hand and baggage to the
prohibitionists.
Mr.. Long managed the fight of the local
optonists when Mr.. Conner and the pro-
hibtionists endeavored to write prohibit
tion in the constitution. precipitatine
thereby the furious fight of 1909, the bit
terest in the recent political history of
the state
All In all, therefore. the campaign
promises to be memorable. The gage OF
battle will be thrown, it is understood
by Conner in June. The announcements
of other candidates are expected to fol-
low rapidly. BY fall the fight. will be
under splendid headway. If the modern
Tloradora sextette intact is entered, the
campaign Will be spectacular, and pitched
along so many interesting and sharply
divergent angles that one will be bewil-
dered In trying to follow the debate.
Campaign in Birmingham
While the state as a whole will share
In the sport of the gubernatorial cam
paign and of the campaign for the SEN
ate In which Senator Johnston and Cap
tain Hobson will be engaged. Birming-
ham will have splendid little fight all