The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-30
ALABAMA FACING GREATEST POLITICAL FIGHT IN HISTORY Supporters of Federal Pro- hibiti0n Amendment Are Quietly Laying Plans LEGISLATURE WILL BE PRIZE OF CONTEST Local Optonists Doing All the Talk ing Nov, But Are Also Work
 ing on Statewide Meet
 ing Scheme
By FRED H. GoRMLEY

Montgomery, December 29.-(Specal.) Anti-amenGists did all the crying and talking frpm the tree tops this week, but supporters Of the federal rrohth;ti' Il au,enlment began carefully to lay plans for tle campaign which will be opened on nany 1olitical platforms early in the year. Those opposed to ths amendnisnt seem to seek the spotlight of publicity at the very beginning of the fight. Those in favor of it are seeking to perfect their plans before going to the people with their proposition.
 Sentiment in the camp of the opposi- ton is rapidly crystallizns in favor or statewide meeting, sonEething like the conferences prior to the campaign against the state constitutional amend ment, of 1909, which resultedain the birth of the Safe and Sane league and the formation of state organization to op- pose the amendment The story of their success was told at the polls. They be- leve ttey can repeat Such a meeting wili ps held and it will be good reading for sne public early in the new year. If the state could read the personal let tsrs which have passed between oppo- { nents of the amendment during the week they would realize just what this state sNs facing as the new year comes into Hing.
 Hen are certain to be forgotten while the Issue is debated. The greater atten- tion will be paid to the legislature than to the candidates for governor. This will be fight for the legislature Of [ 5;.+ upor a candidate for governor, and those ir tayor of it already are agreed on their candidate. But each side will look upon it's candidate as an instrument through which to achieve the end. The candidate will be expected to lead his forces in their efforts to put into the state house a legislature which will ratify or reject the amendment.
 No one doubts that the battle will be between extremists and there will be no middle ground. On every hand it is ad- mitted that at this moment John H. Wal lace, Jr., extreme local optionist, is the favored candidate for governor among the anti-amendists Thomas E. Kilby is the man of the hour among those favor ing the amendment This must not be understood to mean that MT. Wallace is certain 10 be the leader of the anti 1, ansndment people or that MT. Kilby will lead Those favoring the ratification of the amehdndent. Time has a way of : speaking for itself and candidates have a way of lowing before those of their faction who are in the majority. At this juncture 1t may be repeated that MT. Wallace has maintained that he stepped down and out in 1914 in favor of Charles Henderson and that the other fellow must do the stepping this time. MT. Kilby in a newspaper article last Sun day declared that the issue is greater than any man and that he is willing to leave. to q small committee his right to . the leadership of those in favor of the amendmenr. He announced that he would step down if the committee de cided another man could better represent the amendists in the campaign. If he { had not reached the height of his strength with the prohibitionists, this in- creased it.
 William w. Brandon has become the states political puzzle. He announced his support of the present prohibition laws and his determination to strength en them if necessary" but insofar as is known he has made no reply to the con- munication of Rev. Brooks Lawrence superintendent of the Alabama Anti { Saloon league, which sought to put him on record on the national prohibition amendment. MT. Wallace and Charles B. Teasley announced their opposition to the amendment MT. Kilby said il twas the greatest Christmas gift since the birth of the Babe of Bethlehem"
 Mir Brandon opposed the state prohibit ton amendment in 1909 and stumped the state against it. But there's a difference between 1909 and 1918. Alabama must < let MT. Brandon make public his owr ! plans for his own political future.