The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-10-10
PAINTERS CASE HAS STIRRED INTEREST
 AMONG ALAbAM|ANS
Senators Regard Him as Not Proper Material for Off,
 cer Without Training
By HUGH W. ROBERTS

] Washington, October g. - Special ) Among the members of the Alabama col 1 ony in Washington, the subject of Phil l Painters commission has vied with I Spanish influenza. For despite the in- and Senator Underwood. sthe Birining- ham man. editor of the prohibition week. Iy, the Advance, reiterated a determina- tion to fight even to the last ditch. At the present writing, the commission has not been issued. And Senator Bank head has not responded to MT. Painter 8 demand expressed in a personal dis patch to The Age Herald, that he make his charges public that MT. Painter might answer them.
 As to whether or not MT. Painter vii. call Captain Hobson to Washington-for 1t is said by MT. Painter that Captain Hobson has expressed a willingness to come-remains to be seen. AS to whether or not Colonel Roosevelt will abandon
 q letter writing policy and in person
 hurl his ponderous and vigorous frame
 into the open breach, is a subject of
 keen speculation.
 On account of grewsome memories con
 nected with former political campaigns in Alabama, the Painter matter has in terested many people. In other days,
 MT. Painter proceeded with great vigor against Senator Underwood, Senator
 Bankhead, Representative Bankhead and others. His procedure was apparently personal, as well as political. Ill the present the senators. who. despite Paint CTS opposition, won out, are remember ing the events of other days.
 senator Bankhead says simply that he thinks MT. Painter should enter an of- fcers' training school and win his spurs as other Aiabamians have won their spurs-.that he should not expect to walk into Washington and walk away with a commission simply for the asking. Sen ator Underwood declares his opposition based on belief that MT Painter has temperament which would prove him un- suited to command men in the field.
 There have been no charges filed. The senators have simply notified General Sibert in writing that they do not con- sider Mr. Painter material out of which first-rate officer might be hewn.
 Alabamians who interested themselves in Mir Painters case were the Rev. Brooks Lawrence and l.. B. Musgrove. MT. Lawrence wired Senator Bankhead, urging him to withdraw opposition, add ing that he had special reason for wanting MT. Painter to receive com mission. Senator Banllhead, in reply, asked Mr Lawrence to read the Advance printed during the last campaign and printed during the campaign two years ago. and then declare whether he Claw rence) thought the senator should sup port Mir. Painter. MT. Lawrence has not replied.
 Mir. Musgrove invoked the aid. of Colo mel Roosevelt. Mir. Painter was received by the colonel, and it is said the colonel expressed himself with customary visor. Mir Painter says the colonel wrote sev- eral letters to influential men in Wash ington. One was addressed to Senator Williams of Mississippi In this letter the colonel referred to former differ ences which existed between senator Bankhead and Captain Hobson, and asked Senator Williams to hear MT. Painters story.
 While the result of it all cannot be foretold. the Indications are that MT. Painter will have to forego the privilege Of shedding his blood on the glorious fields of France and Flanders unless he permits himself to be inducted into the service through the medium of the draft. Those aware of Mr. Painters patriotism and courage are willing to venture pre- dction that on account of the exlgencies of the moment, he will subject himself to any sacrifice.