The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-06-02
Thinks President Wilson Sure Winner Barring Some Difficulty Not Now FOreseen
PROSPERITY SURE TO FOLLOW IN WAKE OF THE GREAT WAR
Finds Great Improvement in Birmingham = Says the City Will Have Easier Sailing Now

q am not candidate for governor any other office. I am we'll pleased with my position as member of the federal reserve board and I believe I am in a position to be of some service to Alabama and the south in my pres- ent place. This to me is of the most gratifying features in connection with my membership on the reserve board.D
 This was the statement of W. P. G. Harding last night when asked as to the use of his name in connection with the gubernatoriaI race two years hence.
 Within the past few months many Alabamians and friends of the reserve board member have mentioned his name as a possible candidate for governor Of Alabama. That their action was with out the consent of MT. Harding would seem to be indicated by his statement last night. However, he did not make any declaration to the effect that un- a candidate for the office of chief ex- ecutive of his state
 WILSON'S STRENGTH
 President Wilson has gained strength throughout the country with in the past few months" declared MT. Harding. His election now seems to be practically assured, barring so:ne un- foreseen difficulty which cannot now be forecast. The manner in which the President upheld the honor and dig nifty of the nation in his.zcontroversy with Germany on the submarine issue and his final triumph in this matter when Germany acceded to his every contention, has served to add to his hold on the American people. The peo- ity and they are grateful for the man. ner in which he has solved some of the most trying problems which have ever confronted President.
 Regarding the candidate who will be named by the republicans, the best opinion in Washington seems to be di, vided between Justice Hughes and Roosevelt. Of course, the republicans are in a peculiar situation and it, is impossible for anyone to state with any degree of certainty who will be selected to oppose President Wilson Their main difficulty is in finding someone they think can beat the Pres ident and I am of the opinion that no matter who may be chosen, they are doomed to failure"
 MT. Harding stated that he could not discuss the turn taken by the Mexican situation following the receipt of the note from Carranza demanding the withdrawal of American troops 'I am not familiar enough with the changes during the last few days to vouchsafe an opinion" declared MT. Harding However, am confident that Presi- dent Wilson will handle this question with the same diplomatic skill which has marked his action in all foreign controversies during the administra- tion. I do not expect him to take any step which will sacrifice the honor of the country. We have been confronted with many situations during the past few years which were far more deli cate than the present one and on each occasion we have come out with honor. We shall doubtless do the same this time.'
 HIGH PRICES FOR COTTON
 MT. Harding expressed the opinion that there would be no serious finan- cial or commercial stress in the coun- try immediately following the end of the war. About the first. and to the south. the most important change which will take place, in my opinion. will be the heavy advance in the price of cot ton. The central powers will be in need of millions of bales There will be a cotton shortage and the people of the south, who have suffered considerably during the war, will have their inning for time
 ''As soon as the warning nations car recover slightly. they will make a des perate effort to regain the commerce they have lost during the struggle and thu United States will find some exceptional ly keen competition for the trade of ths world; but we are becoming better abl, to handle this situation every day anl our exporters are getting a firmer hold all the time. The various government de partments have made careful studies o the possible situation after the war, ant this country will be prepared for any, thing that might happen. We have nc
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