The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-13
SEVERAL OFFICERS Z OF STATE ID HOLD ] PLACES NEXT YEAR. Oates, Keller and Walker Are Practically Sure
 to Remain MANY.OF THE MINOR
 OFFICERS TO STAY Probably Few Changes Will Be Made Among Those Who do Routine
 Work of the Various
 Departments

Montgomery, December 12.-(Spe efal)-At least three leading state of ficials who hold office by appointment will probably be retained under the next administration. These officials are Dr. William H. Oates, state prison in -u spector; W. S. Keller, state highway perintendent of banks.
 pr. oatas will hold office until April, 1917. his Term of office, under the laws of the prison inspection department be- ing for six years. At the expiration Of his term, his successor will be elected by the state board of health.
 Mir. Keller holds office by appoint ment by the state highway commission, which body was selected by the gover- nor. The present commission will prob ably hold office until April B. next, at which time the governor will either se- lect a new commission or retain the old The highway department law, how ever. specifics that Dr. Eugene A. Smith of the universitly. and Prof George N. Mitcham of Auburn, shall be members of the commission, leaving three members to be appointed by the governor.
 The statement that MT. Walker will continue to hold office as state bank superintendent Is based on the fact that he has been indorsed for the office by more than so per cent of the bankers or the state, large number of whom have written personal letters to Mir Henderson in his behalf There seems to be consensus of opinion, therefore, that Mir. Henderson will reappoint MT. Walker as bank superintendent.
 Dependent Upon Legislative Action
 Of course, the retention of these three officials is predicated upon the supposi- tion that the legislature will not inter- fere with their departments. The leg islature could. as is well known re- lieve the governor of the necessity of making new appointments, for the leg islature could abolish all three offices. But there is little indication that the legislature will do so. few changes may be made in the laws governing these departments, but it is not be- lieved that the changes. if any. will be very material
 All three departments have demon- strated their usefulness, have fulfilled. public expectation, and are now re- garded as essential branches of the state. government. For that reason, there' is hardly a doubt of their lre- tention, although certain changes may be made in the laws governing thesa departments. ~
 It would probably be unwise to at, tempt to speculate on what amend ments if any. will be made in the laws of the highway, prison inspection. and banking departments. But it would be safe to say that none of them will be weakened by legislative action. Hence, it would seem that the legislature will use its efforts to increase the efficiency of these departments, amending the laws governing them so as to make them more stable branches of the state government than they have been in the past.
 Oates, Keller and Walker
 But whatever changes may be made In the laws governing these three de- partments, there is little indication that the administration of the affairs of these offices will pass into other hands. Dr. Oates, unless his department should be abolished, is certain to hold office until April, 1917. The appointment of Engineer Keller, as before stated. will be in the hands of the new highway commission, and whether or not new members shall compose the commis- sion. there is hardly one chance in 10 that new state engineer will be se- lected. MT Walker will look to the governor for continuance in office. and, unless signs change, or all indications fail, he will not look in vain.
 In addition to Dr. Oates, Superinten- dent Walker and Engineer Keller, there will, of course, be a large number of old capitol attaches retined in office during the next administration. Among the possibilities are men who hav9 been in state departments during several ad- manifestations. They know practically every detail of departmental work. and,