The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-05-12
Senator, at the Proper Time, Will Issue Reply to State ments in the White
 Platform
NO DOUBT IS FELT
 IN THE OUTCOME BY
 BANKHEAD FRIENDS
Particular Surprise Noted as Result of Whites Allu- sion to the Prohibition
 Amendment
Rr HIGH W. ROBERTS.

announcement of Frank s. White of Blr- minghan1 as a candidate for the Senate against John H. Bankhead of Jasper was received in Washinkton with surprise.
 Friends of the two are free to con- fess that in their opinion the Birming- ham man has bitten off more than the ordinary individual could chew-that should he win he would prove himself thereby extraordinary.
 The announcement was received by Senator Bankhead with complacency, He has authorized no statement. The correspondent of The Age-Herald, never theless. feels that in writing the fact that the Senator is< confident of re-eiec- tion, he is revealing no dark secret.
 BANKHEAD TO ANSWER
 It is altogether probable that Senator Bankhead will at time he considers proper make answer to some of the state ments conta aimed in the platform of Cap- tain White. Attention of Washington politicians was drawn to the fact that while Captain White criticised the sem ator, he did not refer to anything of constructive character which he him sself throughout a long and engaging life had achieved in behalf of the state.
 It was also the subject of comment that Captain White, while attempting to detract from the senator's accomplish ment respecting good roads legislation refrain1d from mentioning what the Jas- per man had done in building the War rior and other rivers of the state, and ,in making real the hundred-year dream 1r
 It is known that at a later date Sena- tor Bankhead will discuss these mat < ters advanced by his adversary.
 THE LIQUOR QUESTION
 Politicians in Washington, interested in political developments in every state are doubtful whether allegiance of either of the candidates to federal constitution al prohibition will result happily Neyer- theless the criticism of Captain White roenecting the senator's position on this Subject, provoked considerable comment z Senator Rankhead, as may be recalled. voted to submit the constitutional amendment to the people. That is the record. Captain White insinuates that he took such action for political effect TOT through expediency. Captain White 8declares that he himself, is suppor- ster of the amendment
 M It is the opinion of well posted poll- ticians in Washington that some springs ago Captain White openly in public print declared his opposition to the amend ment which then pended before the houses of Congress,
 WHY ALLEN RETIRED
 If this opinion is correct, then Cap tain White. has changed his conviction. and he will readily state the cause ;whether it be or be not that which he iinsinuates inspired the action of seantor Bankhead.
 4 At that time, as it may be recalled. Senator White was candidate for dele Fgate to the St. Louis convention. A cef- tain faction of Alabama democrats did not want the Alabama delegation com posed entirely of men favorable to fed eral prohibition. Such argument was presented. Judge N, D. .Denson, consid- cred then federal prohibitionist, de- clared that such impression was incof- rectly established that while he stood for prohibition, he did not stand for pro- hibition by constitutions Amendment. Whereupon B. M Allen of Birmingham announced that there was no diHer- ence in his position and that of Judge -Denson he would retire from the race.
 THE WHITE LETTER
 w Jud~e Denson was thereafter with out opposition. Captain White, follow ing the happy solution of Denson's problem, wrote letleF- IO tue pupiiS, which was printed in The Age-Heraid. It is said in Washington by those who have always watched the Alabama sit uation, that Captain White invited others to follow the action of Mir. Al len, declaring that he, himself like Judge Denson, stood for prohibition, but against the pending constitutional amendment. and that he had fought four years for the maintenance of the doctrine of the rights of sovereign states.
 The accuracy or inaccuracy of the above may be established by reference ito the files of The Age Herald of thas period. or by appeal to the memory of Captain White If the statement is in effect correct. then Captain White, like Judge Denson and President Wilson. has changed his mind. If that be the case, he has thrown his stones al SeE- ator Bankhead from a house of glass; for the motives which inspired the senator may have been as anfia ble as those which inspired the captain.
 At any rate, Captain White was elected delegate.
 THE IDENTICAL POINTS
 The race between the two, even though it be lone sided cannot fail to receive attention. Both are ad- vanced in years. If Bankhead is too old. White is too old. If the people should desire to honor Wnite TOT h.s gallant conduct in the civil war, they would of necessity consider the equally as gallant conduct of Bankhead. If the people should think the one has sabeen sufficiently honored. they would of necessity prefer the charge against the other. For both have long been rr public life, both have served tiie state and have been honored with the highest gifts of the state.
 The question of loyalty cannot en- ter. for both are loyal. Before the war Senator Bankhead might have differed with President Wilson. and mi ght have stable argument for. his difference. But since the initiation of the war. against his better judgment. perhaps, he has let the administration. unhindered have it's every request. And as Repre- sentative Heflin.s in his attack against Representative Mason of Illinois Cap