The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-11
Reports Come From Mont gomery That All Local Op-
 tionists Not for Wallace
ONE OF BIRMINGHAM
 MEN MAY BE DRAFTED
List of Candidates for Governor Not Yet Closed, Is Interesting Talk in Capital City-Political
 Gossip Active
By FRED v. conMLEy

Montgomery, November 1o.--(Spe- cial.) .)--Considered from the standpoint of politics. Alabama probably will never pass the period of rumors and reports, but this week has been the 1 banner one for political reports which apparently have an important bearing on the coming campaign, but which are not sponsored by any person in the open. Nevertheless, the reports are so interesting politicians have not failed to give them serious consideration and to realize that, if true, they may add new interest.
 The first report brought on by state. ments that the plans of local option ists had been completed is that the To- cal option organization is not thor oughly satisfied and may bring an- other man into the field. It was pointed out during the week that the local optionists are determined to put a man into the race who can command the support of the various minds who have been active in the cause of the local optionists. By this they mean a man who can pull the strings and make the manikins dance in the proper way and at the proper time. They would have one who could pacify the dissat- isfed and impress upon all local op- tionists the need of subjugating their personal desires if they conflict with the important issue of local option or prohibition.
 Friends of John Fl. Wallace, Jr, have maintained that they need search no further and until this week it was stated that Mir. Wallace had practical Q ,ick- 4~> CT in support of his campaign and platform But there are some who are still holding out and insisting that an- other man can better lead the fiRhS
 In this connection the name of Ed ward D. Smith of Birmingham, nation al committeeman, is being used. Mir. Smith defeated Borden Burr, prohibit tionist. in the campaign last year and has taken prominent part in the councils of the local optionists.
 Another name brought into the lime light recently is former Gov. William D. Jelks. Whether he would consent to be the candidate of one faction no one can say.
 It is more than probable that he would insist that the paramount issue be a business government, if he should consider entering the race at all Gov ernor Jelks has made g. few trips to NtOLlSODitTS recently. lie was here this week. but it is not the Jelkson- ian style to discuss matters until de- tails have been perfected and he didn't find cause to talk very much while here. No one knows whether he is personally interested in the gossip or whether his name is being used by that class of men called politicians who are ever willing to take liberties with a mans name if that name has been worth something in the political history.
 Associate members of the public service commission are resting easily after reports that they would be op- posed for re reelection No man has made his formal announcement, though it has been reported that two men would enter the race as candidates of the travelling mems organizations. Coke Smith, secretary of the travelling mems societies, has been indorsed for commissioner and may make the race. It has been reported in official circles that another would enter at the proper time
 Up to this time only Congressman John L. Burnett of the Seventh district has opposition in the fight for this states representation in Congress. State Senator John L. Lusk has made formal announcement. X guess would be that several other congressmen will be opposed before the August pri- maries.