The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-12-13
HENDERSON WOULD . bE AIDED BY WORK 0F EXTRA SESSION Lends Color to Belief Pres ent Governor Will Yet Call
 SOlons Together SPEAKERSHIP FIGHT GROWS INTERESTING Rev. Brooks Lawrence to Open Offices in the Bell Building This
 Week for Prohibition
 Contest
By l.. $. BETTY

Montgomery, December 12.-(Spe- cial.)-Nothing short of an absolute de- nial by the governor of Alabama will dispel the impression which obtains among a large number of state off cials that he contemplates calling a special session of the legislature to meet on January l. This belief is so deeply rooted in the minds of certain officials that they have even suggested to the governor the need of legisla- tion covering their departments.
 The governors present attitude, how ever, is little different from what it has been during the entire four years of his administration. He has always recognized that much good might be accomplishedf by a special session. but, has never really committed himself though he has indicated that ne in tended giving Jefferson county an op- portunity to secure relief from the fee system. So far as can be Sascertained. the governor still has that tentative promise in contemplation, and has stated that he thought 10 days would
 be sufficient time to pass the necessary legislation for Jefferson county. But
 the governor has up to the present time
 refused to say what he will do. 1 Now it is believed that he will call
 a special session because he may be
 of aid in suppling Governor Charles 1 Henderson with legislative machine
 stripped for action. Hence. the new ad-
 ministration would be able to take con
 trol of the wheels of government with.
 out the difficulties which usually con-
 front a new executive with an inex-
 perienced legislature on his hands. 1 Rumors of Agreement
 l All this is in the nature of the latest 1 extra session rumors, and color Is
 given to the suggestion by various re-
 ports Of an agreement between the present governor and the incoming ex-
 ecutive. According; to these rumors. the l governor and MT. Henderson have de- 1 cided that 1t might be best to call a special session of the legislature for
 January 1 for two reasons. The first Is that time would be allowed for the
 passage of certain important legisla- I ton that should be enacted before the next administration comes into power. 1 The second reason is that MT. Hem derson would have an experienced leg islature when he assumes office, a
 smooth running piece of machinery
 capable of dispatching business inlme- uiatSiy, anu pTepdTeQ TOT the Scr1OuS
 consideration of Legislation for the next 1 four years.
 1 There is still another reason ad- vanced In favor of a special session and that is also said to have been men toned in the reported agreement be-
 tween the governor and MT. Hender- I son. The latest suggestion contem- i plates a split session of the legisla-
 lure.
 l It is pointed out that the legisla ture, with 10 days experience. fully organ
 ized for work. and with the various
 to provide all legislation necessary for
 in 25 or 30 working days. This would l a few months in order to provide an 1 number of other important measures which might be defective if passed in haste. ! Regarding a split session. there is a 1 pretty general belief that one will be I q special session And the principal reason for an adjourned session Is to
 allow the legislators ample time to ] consider the financial needs of the state
 and adequate means of relief.
 ~~-+c-t for Speakership
 {, The speakership Is still engaging {, ..c attention in Mont gomery. and is probably the hvest topic in political circles. State officials are
 generally of the opinion that Edward
 D. Johnston of Huntsville is the fore