The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-10-26
DOUBT IS GENERAL OVER MUSGROVE'S ENTRY INTO RACE Newspaper Story AntagOn- izes Friends of Under
 wood and Bankhead WALKER COUNTY MAN HAS NOT YET SPOKEN Majority of Local Prohibitionists Seem to Doubt Assertion
 That He Will Enter
 Race
By HUGH ". ROBERTS


 Despite the formal announcement of Horace Gibson of Jasper, that l.. B. Mus grove would be a candidate for governor. the idea obtained in political circles that the gubernatorial lists have been closed.
 MT. Musgrove, for publication, or, as far as known in public, has given no countenance to the effort of MT. Gibson to thrust honor upon him. Until the vet eran politician speaks with his own mouth, it is probable that the state will yield to no unusual excitement.
 Some months ago, as is recalled, Phil Painter of Birmingham, formally an- nounced the candidacy of MT. Musgrove at time when Mr. Musgrove was ab- sent from the state. By his subsequent inactivity, if not actual denial, MT. Mus grove repudiated that announcement.
 BY MYSTERIOUS CEREMONY
 The second entrance" of the Walker county citizen was attended by certain weird and mysterious ceremony Those content by statements to the effect that in all probability MT. Musgrove would be candidate. People of Montgomery, however, were informed unequivocally that MT. Musgrove was announced by MT. Gibson, and were regaled by col umn printed in the Advertiser devoted to praise and recitation of the political activity of the Walker county gentleman
 The afternoon following, however, the Montgomery Journal, a newspaper of the prohibition persuasion, declared that It ;t,f fixrn that MT. Musgrove had not been responsi- ble for what the morning newspaper had printed
 It developed yesterday afternoon that the Birmingham dispatch to the Adver- tiser, referred to above, was not the product of the Birmingham correspond ent of the Advertiser. Inasmuch as MT. Musgrove was i'll Jasper, 1t is Judged probable that Mir. Musgrove's friends MT. Gibson and MT. Painter, were responsible.
 AN UNUSUAL CHALLENGE
 The Advertiser dispatch was regarded in Birmingham as one of exceptional astuteness In recounting the political activity of MT. Musgrove, it dwell at length on his tireless and bitter eHorts to suppress Senator Bankhead and later, his son, William B. Bankhead, and his campaign of sensationalism against oscar w. Underwood. It was construed as direct challenge to the following or the two United States senators, which, organ ized or unorganized, constitutes a force at all times to be reckoned with. AS to whether the studied attempt to reopen old wounds would rebound to the success or defeat of MT. Musgrove, should he de- side to enter, remains to be seen.
 The challenge, however, in behalf or candidate seeking the suffrage or all the people was regarded yesterday as un- usual, as distinct departure from con ventional procedure. It's effect will either cause Mr Musgrove to thank his spon- sors or repeat that historic prayer, De liver me from my friends
 With the statement of the Montgomery Journal that MT Musgrove was not re- sponsible, prohibitionsts in Birmingham seemed to agree
 MAJORITY INCLINED TO DOUBT
 Efforts to acquire information from dozen leading prohibition politicians yes terday were futile. No one knew for certainty whether or not MT. Musgrove would run The great majority were in- clined to doubt
 However certain people of Jasper, prob- ably at the suggestion of MT Gibson, are apparently determined to force MT. Mus. grove into the field. They announce q mass meeting for Friday night in the interest of '.the nomination of a Wal ker county man for governor
 A pamphlet giving notice of the meet ing was furnished The Age-Herald by MT Painter. who, if Mir. Musgrove runs, will in all probability be his manager for Birmingham and Jefferson county.