The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-05-06
The HObsOn-Bankhead Cam paign One of Bitterest
 Ever Staged
ROBSON TO SPEAK
 AT JASPER TONIGHT
Bankhead Will Close Speaking Tour at Jasper Monday-Latest Issue Is Controversy Between Breck Mus
 grove and John Bankhead
By DIR. V. H. WILLIAMS

Jasper, May (Special)- great political fight that has been waged in the new Tenth congression- al district between Capt R. P. Hob son and William B. Bankhead is com ing to close. It has been one of the bitterest and hardest ever staged in Alabama politics.
 The battle began some weeks ago after W. B. Bankhead had announced for congressman from the new Tenth district. It looked for sometime that Bankhead would have no opposition. He had made several speeches in the different counties and was getting &C., Quainted with the voters well when, just a day or so before the time ex- pired for candidate to announce, Cap tain Hobson came out for the place. It was then that the real fight be- gan. Captain Hobson has always been a favorite in the counties composing the Tenth. He was liked by the peo- pie living in the old Sixth district So naturally things began to warm up considerably, but none thought it would have become so warm as it is to- day
 One of the first issues injected into the campaign was the formation of the new district. Hobson claimed that it was formed to create place for Will Bankhead and accused his brother, John H. Bankhead Jr.. as being the real maker of this district On the oth- CT hand, the Bankheads claim that Alabama was entitled to a new district and by law one had to be made and that they were just acting as man interested in his state and wanting the state to have it's just rights. The fight along this line has been very bitter.
 Hobson again claims that the Bank head family and especially John H., Jr.,r was the cause of the defeat of the bill to take the convicts out of the mines. He says that this act alone proved that the firm of Bankhead & Bankhead were for corporations and that Will could not represent the best interests of the people in Congress John Bankhead acknowledged to hav- ing worked for the keeping of the con- victs in the mines, but did it because The was employed by the Pratt Coal company. Will Bankhead claims that he had nothing whatever to do with the fight st Montgomery, but that it was duty his brother owed the Pratt
 
 them fight the removal of the con- victs. This has been one of the real issues of the campaign.
 Both men have declared for prohibition, both statewide and national. Hobson claims that Will is a very recent con- vert to this cause, and that he could not help the cause in Washington so much as man trained in the cause and a man who has stood and fought in the front ranks for years.
 The last or one of the latest issues that has created much interest is a controversy between l.. B. Musgrove, Captain Hob- sons campaign manager, and John H. Banl<head, Jr. In a sworn statement published in the Mountain Eagle Mus grove stated that the senator came to him soon after the last primary and suggest ed to him that he influence Captain Hob- son to oppose w. B. Oliver for his place in this election. H. B. Gibson gives a sworn statement to the effect that John H. Bankhead, Jr made the same sugges- tion to him in Birmingham. In reply to this statement John IT. Bankhead, Jr denies in a sworn statement that such conversations ever transpired. So this fight is now not altogether confined to the two candidates. but their managers have come in for a good share of it. Many personalities have been indulged in by both men in their speeches
 It is claimed by both hea6quarters, which are located in Jasper. that they will carry the district by good majorities At the Hobson headquarters the follow ing figures were given out: Pickens for Hobson by 400 majority. Fayette for Hobson by 400 majority Marion for Hobson by 250 majority. Lamar for Hobson by 100 majority. Winston, a stand off Walker, for Hobson by 800, possibly 600, majority
 William B. Bankhead claims that he will carry the district by at least 1900 majority.
 Saturday will close the campaign practically. Hobson will close his speaking tour with speech at Jasper at 10:30 a. m. It is expected that a great crowd will hear him at this hour. He is in the best of condition and the people are looking for something good. Bankhead will close his catlpaign with a speech at Jasper Monday night.
 Local politics is very interesting. The main fight is in the probate judges race. There are four men running and all have developed much strength. and each candidates friends claim he will be nominated. In the clerks race there are four men, and all are working hard. Other nominations to be made are tax collector, tax assessor county au- ditor, coroner and two members of the commissioners court. Aside from the congressional race the campaign has been conducted upon lines of a friend 1y fight with very few personalities.
 Both the congressional race head quarters have made special arrange ments for obtaining the returns on