The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-01-13
JACKSON ADMITS HE MAY ENTER CONTEST FOR GOVERNORSH|P Birmingham Capitalist Says He Is Being Urged to
 Offer for Place CONSTRUED TO MEAN DENSON NOT TO RUN Jackson Would Probably Get Sup port of Hobson Followers.
 Should Musgrove Not
 Enter the Contest
By LEON c. BRADLEY

Indications are that there will be no
 lack of prohibition candidates for the governorship.
 Fred M. Jackson, for many years promi- nent in the affairs of the dry forces and well known Birmingham capitalist. may be the next to enter the political arena in quest of the governorship He has not yet announced, but he stated yesterday afternoon that he was giving the matter serious consideration.
 T may enter the race,' said MT. Jack son, when asked about the matter. q have the question under advisement. Many of my friends have urged me to run, but I cannot at this time state just what I will do. It is too early. There
 is plenty of time
 T am going away for trip of about two weeks through the north and east. I will not announce before my return, and it may be sometime after that before reach a decision in the matter. The governorship is big office. an important office and the man who holds the posi- ton during the next term will have some grave problems to face. It is not a posi- ton to be sought without giving due consideration to the issues involved. l am thinking it over.
 Many of my friends have been kind enough to tell me that they thought l should run for the office. They have de- clared that they believed I could be elected and that I could render some service to the state My decision will hinge upon future developments"
 CAUSES SPECULATION
 The statement of MT. Jackson which indicated that he was a possible, even if not a probable. candidate for gov ernor has caused no small amount of speculation In the first place it was construed by well posted politicians to mean that Judge N. D. Denson of Opelika would not be a candidate. For several months it had been reported in political circles that MT. Jackson looked with great favor upon Judge Denson and that he would lend his un- divided support to the Opelika candi- date should he see fit to enter the race.
 While Judge Denson has not made any statement regarding his possible candidacy for some months, the open avowal of MT Jackson of his own pos- sible candidacy is construed as mean ing that he has been assured that the Opelika man will not enter the race. MT. Jackson, contrary to reports, is not a member of the headquarters l.committee of the Alabama Anti-Saloon league, although he has been one of the most active of the dry leaders for many years. l.. B. Musgrove of Jasper, whose announcement for the governorship was given out in Mont gomery by Phil Painter Wednesday, is member of that committee. Whether there is any significance in these two facts cannot be stated with any de- gree of authority.
 MT. Jackson was considered as the real head of the prohibition forces in the state during the past year or two and was frequently referred to in newspaper articles as one of the lead CTS in the so-called prohibition lob by' during the last session of the leg islature. SUPPORT OF ROBSON For the past several years, MT. Jack son has been frequently mentioned as a possible candidate for public office. It will be recalled that he considered the advisability of offering for Congress from this district on a protective tariff plat form, and he has been spoken of in times past for the office of city commissioner, board of revenue and certain other places.
 Should MT. Jackson see fit to make the race, it is expected that he would have the active support of Captain Hobson and the close personal followers of the cap- tain, provided of course. l.. B. Musgrove does not enter the conflict. MT. Jackson with the utmost ardor and enthusiasm, lent his personal and financial support and aid to Captain Hobson in his mem- orable campaign against Oscar Under wood.
 Another action of MT. Jackson, which would endear him to Hobson and the captains friends, is the fact that he, to- gether with Borden Burr, and a number of other prohibition leaders, signed the card making a severe attack on Senator Underwood for his stand on the District of Columbia prohibition bill. That he would receive any great amount of sup port from the friends of Senator Under wood is hardly to be expected DAFT TErc, nr> NMr,rcuv