The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-09-18
CITY CAN|PA|GN 50 QUIET AS ID MAKE OUTCOMED0UbTFU[ Candidates Have Not Suc- ceeded in Arousing Least
 Enthusiasm QUESTION Is LARGELY ONE OF PERSONALITY Both Jones and Weatherly Have Hosts of Friends and Integrity of Both Men is Unques-
 tioned
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

By HUGH W. ROBERTS
 The municipal campaign is fast ap. preaching its end It is one of doubt ful issue. So abnormal has been the lack of interest displayed that it is reasonable to believe that the tide Of combat might be turned several times within the space of the two days of opportunity which remain
 Il is a significant fact that while the adherents of both candidates, Harry Jones and James Weatherly. are unus- ually prone to claim the earth, they are nevertheless imbued to an alarm ing extent with that fear which pre- cedes the test yf balloting. The Wealth erly forces arc following the well beaten path of political activity in that they are resortihg to speech making and subtle attacks on their opponent. Tho Jones forces are apparently ob- livious, to the darts which are flung and the speeches which are sung. They are making a man to man canvass throughout the area of Greater Bir- mingham.
 As was predicted in this correspon- dence some weeks ago, neither camp has been able to fetch a ghost out of the closet of it's rival. In attempting to paint Jones black. the Weatherly forces have signally failed. They have declared that he voted for a street tax some six or eight or ten years ago. They have declared that he voted to ... tion But in limiting their declaration to the above points of absolutely no value, they have inadvcrtly proved that in his long career as an alderman of the city of Birmingham. Harry Jones' shining was of an extremely ordinary and negative variety.
 Charges Not Serious
 The Jones campaign committee has printed several cards as advertisements in the local papers. These cards have not been extremely forceful cards. As' a matter of fact. they have shown nothing save that Weatherly was for merly corporation attorney, and 1t Is questionable whether or not they have proved their point that the leopard has not changed his spots" Contrary to expectations, the Jones committee has not referred to the terrible condi- tion of the municipal treasury, con dition which makes a return to a scrip basis a constant source of dangers has not referred to the cost of operating the department over which Weatherly has presided has not referred to that deal as a result of which the Bell Tele- phone absorbed the Peoples Telephone; has not referred in ringing tone to any other matter which has been trans acted during the incumbency of the object of their assault.
 This Is in accordance with the plan of battle As to whether or not the plan is . wise plan will be demon- strated Monday. Unlike the Weatherly forces, the Jones forces have not re- sorted to speech making. As to wheth- CT or not Weatherlys committee was the wiser in this regard will be dem onstrated Monday.
 Neither camp has succeeded in arousing the people to activity. If one should judge from appearances, he would neces- sarily reach a conclusion that no man cares what became of the race. The ap- parent indifference of the ordinary in diyidual to the fate of the two rivals Is scarcely complimentary to those rivals. There may be patriotic fire burning in pa- triotio bosoms. But up to the present time not even the smoke has been visible.
 Personalities Only Issue
 Some weeks ago 1t was stated In The Age Herald that the race would be one without an issue. The Weatherly camp has struggled manfully and with sem blance of astuteness to make municipal ownership the issue But when Jones de- clared unequvocally that he was as ar- dent in his desire that municipal owner ship be realized as weatherly, and when his past record proved his sincerity in this respect the Weatherly hope was frus- trated And as result there has been no point thrust into the campaign on which the opponents could differ. Therefore. the only issue between them is--as was stated weeks ago-one of personality.
 Both men are more or less popular throughout Birmingham Both have warm personal and political friends. Both ara so well known and the virtue of both is so well established, that it is to be re- gretted that either has concluded 1t wise 10 speak disparagingIy of the other Any man or newspaper which attempts to de- ceive the people into believing that the fate of Birmingham Is at stake can ap- pear only as ridiculous. There is no question but that with either man a com missioner after November Q. Birmingham will continue to fare as well as 1t pos sibly can in view of its constitutional hindrances. And on tho other hand, neither man Is absolutely necessary for the city's well being
 The campaign has been . joke with out the humor which accompanies the av- craze joke. Only the participation of the Municipal Ownership league has caused smile. And that was a smile of such soft indulgence that 1t fingered just mo-