The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-10-06
Issues Reply to Senator's Card of Sunday and
 Grows Personal
AVOIDS DISCUSSION
 OF THE MAIN ISSUE
Abercrombie Reiterates Charge That Bankhead Engineered Redistricting Bill and That Is Was Passed to
 Benefit the Bankhead Family

an-at-larSe rom AiaDalna, ana senator J. H. Bankhead was further enlivened yesterday by the issuance of another tatement from the member of the House
 Mr. Abercromhie's card is in the na- ture of reply to that of Senator Bank head published Sunday and he does not mince words in speaking of the senator. pr. Abercrombie charges that Senator Bankhead has evaded the main question at issue-the merit of the creation of that such was "a plain piece of personal political legislative jobbery.' s pr. Abercrombies card follows: ,5..
 Dr. -Abercrombie's Statement
 q have read the statement of Senator Bankhead said Dr. Abercrombie. and I fear that his memory fails him now and then He says that he did not at of the redistricting bll' not. even with his own sons.
 Evidently the senator forgot for the moment our conversation in his office in the capitol at Washington not long be- fore the last primary election in Alabama. in which conversation he stated that the state would be redistricted for congress sional purposes al the next session of the legislature; that he had in mind the for nation of a new district to be composed Of the counties that were named in the Brindley bill as introduced that the ere aton of such a district would separate Tuscaloosa and Walker counties. thereby removing the conflict in political ambi- lions haf his William Ra p1S- head. and Congressman William B. Oli- yer; that if Congressman Oliver should oppose such separation of counties he would appeal to Congressman Burnett and event of a failure to make such separa- ton William B. Bankhead would again oppose him for Congress not later than 1918; that the formation of such a district would appal to Congressman Burnett and his friends, as, in addition to separat- ing Tuscaloosa and Walker counties, it would render the Seventh district more certainly democratic.
 Now that his memory has been re- freshed. the senator will no doubt recall that conversation, which was introduced by him. If so, he will remember my re- ply, which was to the effect that while I preferred no redistricting of the state, it was not my purpose to oppose the pas sage of a carefully considered general re- districting bill if based upon population as required by the constitution and laws.
 .'In view of the senator's statement, un- less his memory has again been recreant, it was a most remarkable coincidence that the counties named in the original Brind- ley bill were precisely those mentioned by him during our conversation In his office in the capitol at Washington.
 But there were other indications that the bill creating the new half-district was of Bankhead origin and purpose. It tI,a mittee on privileges and elections, and upon the floor of the house itself, that the Brindley bill was drafted and car ried to Montgomery by member Of the Banlxhead family. by one of the senator s sons. This charge was never denied, though the gentleman making it chal- lenged the introducer of the bill and others to make such denial, stating that he was able and ready to substantiate the charge if anybody denied or doubted it's truthfulness.
 ''Evidently the matter of relief for the democracy of the Seventh district weighed heavily upon the Bankhead mind and heart That the bill drawn for so patriotic purpose should have created half distric. with Walker the chief county was of course mere accident. It is sig nificant that the only republican member of the house voted for the bill which the senator claims was intended solely to pre- vent republican victory in the Seventh district
 Chief Lobbyists Were Bankheads
 Another indication that the bill creat- ing the new half district was of Bankhead origin. and designed to promote Bank head ambition. was disclosed in the fact that the chief lobbyists for the bill were members of the Bankhead family, and those under special political obligations to the senator. In this connection 1t Will be of interest to note that federal ap- pointees who had voluntarily pledged themselves against the passage of the bill were induced to reverse themselves by the reminder that they were indebtd to the senator for their appointments and would be guilty of ingratitude if they did not support a bill which, if passed, would place one of the senator's sons in Con- gress. The supreme indifference of the senator. as manifested in his absence from the state at the time, and as reflected in his matchless reticence, did not guaran- tee freedom of action to those under po- litical obligations to him.
 Really, how could the senator in good col science have manifested such rnonu- mertal indifference to the passage of a bill whose sole object was relief for the democracy of the Seventh district? Since he did not at any time discuss the sub feet with them, he could not have known Of the intention of his sons to go to Montgomery and do battle for the relief of the democracy of that district. I fear that the senator, through sheer indiffer- snce. has been guilty of grave neglect of party duty.
 Had the senator manifested sufficient inter est to discuss the matter. or to 70 down to Montgomery during the contest over the. passage of the bill creating the new half district with Walker as the ! la rpast and controlling county he would ptobab bly have heard many Interesting things For instance, he might have heard it suggested that the title of tue bill be changed so as to read as fol- lows: A bill to be entitled, An act to incI ease the representation of the Bank head family in the Congress of the United States. or to augment the power or the