The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-01
LETTERS TO EDITOR
Grace Outlines Views

To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 In the issue of your valuable paper of January 2S, 1918, in the discussion of the congressional outlook in the Ninth Alabama, your paper says: Tt is the belief at Washington MT. Grace has not the necessary acquaintance and political experience to successful ly oppose MT. Huddleston, and judging from his published statement will de- pend for success on the support of Brooks Lawrence and his cohorts"
 Perhaps none of us have the eX- tensive acquaintance we should have, but I do not understand man to enter this fight and successfully op- pose the present incumbent should be personally acquainted with all the peo- pie in the district. If he has the stuff in him he will get around, meet the people and let them see who and what he is before the primary election in August. If he expects the nomination to be handed him on silver waiter he is mistaken. This is not my first introduction into political campaign In fact, it is my third, and I think I understand the art fairly well. l understand a man to win must be clean, honest, sensible and courageous man, and in addition to these quali- ties he must be a worker
 As for Rev. Brooks Lawrence, I am not personally acquainted with him, but I will be glad to have his good will, aid and counsel just as much so as I will be glad to have the good will and aid of every other good cit izen. He represents a good cause. I am not the candidate of any man or set of men, but if I am elected I ex- beet to represent all the people to the best of my ability.
 While l am an ardent prohibition ist, and the prohibition amendment will be one of the issues in this cam paign, there are others of equal, If not greater importance. I am, first, an American I favor the ratification of the prohibition amendment, but the ratification of it will not end the reign of John Barleycorn. It will re- quire something more substantial. When the amendment is ratified, if ever it will be up to Congress to en- act suitable statutory laws for it's en- forcement. I favor prohibition or no prohibition. There is no middle ground, I am not in favor of putting the dis tilleries out of commission by the amendment and allowing the wildcat distilleries and blind tigers to flour ish. For the enforcement of the amend ment l favor statutory laws prescrib- ing a penalty of five years in the penitentiary IS a minimum punishment and as much more as the facts justify, up to a certain maximum. If the wild cat distiller and blind tiger knew this was the punishment to be inflicted it caught and convicted, but few would take the chance.
 Apparently the President favored this amendment and is behind it, real iaing it's supreme importance to the American people. Send q local option man to Congress to represent this district and drastic legislation is pro- poised for the enforcement of the amendment he is at once out of har- mony and accord with the administra- tion. If he is against the amendment more than likely he is for whisky, and he is not going to vote for drastic legislation he knows will put his old friends out of business.
 To my mind this is not the all inn porrant issue in this campaign. It is 2 well known fact the present incum- l bent voted for war and has consist CHNiy oppoStp tll or most or lne meas ures and policies for it's successful prosecution, Regardless of whether We ara rightfully in this war or not, ev- cry loyal American citizen should stand squarely behind the administra- ton in it's prosecution, and any man who is nimical to the administra- tion in this hour of emergency, should be retired, and another elected in his place who will support the admins, tration, and this will be my aim and desire if am elected.
 The people of this district should have a few of the federal favors. but for some reason we were left out. A canal should be built from Warrio, river to Birmingham and by so doina give Birmingham river freight rate Valley river canal should be built. FoI this internal improvement federal aie will be necessary and will have ts come by way of the rivers and harbor,
 committee. If your representative is out of accord and harmony with ths administration he can be of but lit, tie service to the people of his dis trict in assisting in obtaining this fed eral aid There are other measures ant policies of progressive nature whicf l will favor, but space will not per init mentioning them here.
 N. B. GRACE. Birmingham. January 30. 1918.
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