The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-03-21
 To the Democratic Voters of the Ninth Congressional District:

nomics not politics: a matter of business to be determined in each case by actual economic conditions, not political theories. Our indus tries are interlinked, and in placing tariff for revenue on the raw materials products of one industry the actual economic effect often is to protect such industry, and as between such industry and one whose raw materials pro- ducts are the free list, a special economic advantage may result to the one and an eco homie discrimination result to the other. If a tariff for revenue is levied on sugar, and, if as claimed, an economic advantage results to the sugar growers and manufacturers of Louisiana not inconsistent with the general public good such tariff is as a matter of business and economics properly levied. The principle ap- plies under given conditions to the raw mate rials of our farms, mills, mines and factories and their manufactured products. Economic laws have no politics and should belong to no party. They are the resultant of business cons ditions, not political theories.
 I am for President Wilson and his announced policies. Preparedness is the supreme need of the hour and will ever be; preparedness of mind, heart and body of industry and for reasonable defense. By education literary and manual the whole people must be rightly fitted for the every day battles of life. Our supreme call fortunately, is not to fields of carnage fHd battle, but to the nobler achievements for so- cial and moral uplift and in economic strategy and intelligent business generalship. We need preparedness for industrial leadership. South
  mills, mines and factories but before we can hope to secure and hold any substantial part of this enormous trade, we must provide ade quate banking facilities; adjust our transporta tion laws rules and charges to fit present needs and conditions; provide merchant ships sailing own flag; establish by legislation and gov ernmental policy cordial, helpful relations be- tween business and government and protect American citizens in every land and on every sea, in their person and property so long as they are in the reasonable .s,ercise of their legitimate rights.
 While mil1tarism should always be opposed such reasonable increase should be made in our army and navy as will put us in state of reasonable preparedness for the defense of our country No program of preparedness is ade- quate which does not provide munition and sup ply plants, dock and shipyards, highways and Qualifications, as well as men and ships No section of the country can compare with this district in furnishing cheap and continuous supply of raw material necessary for the opera tion of such plants in the manufacture of muni- tions and supplies requisite for proper defense Our distance from the coast our river systems and railroad connections, our mountain chains and general topography would make the task of defending such plants less difficult here than in any other part of the country
 While it is important to secure the location of intuition and supply plants in this district it is equally as important to us and the people of the nation, both from the standpoint of gen eral business and reasonable defense to eouip Mobile naval base second to none in the country. The gulf states and central states are not properly protected Mobile bay is land locked for over 30 miles. Fort Morgan guards it's entrance and Dauphine Island can be easily