The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-06
WILL HUDDLESTON MEET HIS WATERLOO TN THE COMING RACE FOR NEXT CONGRESS Some Elements of His Strength and What His
 Opponent Is Destined to Overcome SEVERAL NAMES OF MEN HEARD WHO ARE ALMOST PERSUADED One of Them Is a New Rich
 mOnd Who Has Never Taken Any Part in
 Local Politics

Local Politics Along with the other political con- tests with which Birmingham must wres- tie this year there stands forth the election of congressman from the Ninth district, which means Jefferson county Will Congressman Huddleston succeed himself. or will the voters decide thatI they want a change? Already there has been more or less talk of opposition to the incumbent, but so far it has not taken concrete form i It is claimed that MT. Huddleston, al- though he made great race last time, has antagonized many of his former sup porters and that they are unwilling ! to get behind him another time
 l For instance, it is well known that the vote of large numbers of the ultra prohibitonists. Many of these are now said to be against him because he voted against the national prohibition amend ment recently and thus was instrumental I in dividing Alabama's vote evenly on l this question.
 l Again, it is claimed that the entire spirit of the people of Jefferson county | is overwhelmingly behind the President 1 in his handling of the war and the ques- l tions arising from 1t and that the Ninth district congressman has shown a spirit of antagonism toward the national ad- ministration and its policies which has Host him many of his former supporters in his district
 HIS ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH On the other hand 1t is acknowledged that the diminutive statesman from l Alabama has elements of political strength commanded by no other man who might get into the field and that l these clements of strength are such as no one can take from him. He has for many years been conspcuously active in certain of the well known fraternal or ders, has held prominent office in them and given of his time and his means for the promotion of their interests on all occasions.
 Some of the orders are specially strong in certain of the rural sections and MT. Huddleston for years has made 1t a point to keep in close touch with these rural lodges. and it has been said of him that he attends lodge meetings in places that other candidates never even think of visiting. While it is recognized that this gives the congressman no po- llitical claim to the support of members of these lodges, at the same time active lodge men have stood solidly behind
 him on grounds of personal friendship and because they had the greatest confi- dence in the honesty of his purpose in Ipublic endeavor.
 | WHO CAN BEAT HIM?
 If the opposition to the congressman should take concrete form, who would
 most likely be the man to present formidable front?
 It is well known that for some time a
 number of the friends of Hugh Nor row have been trying to persuade him to run for Congress, not only because oi This wonderfully wide acquaintance and
 popularity all over the county, but be-
 cause of his exceptional ability and his experience in law making. Mr. Morrow however, has never yet been willing te
 give even an intimaton that he migh' , consider such suggestion seriously. , Then there is S. J. Bowie. He has
 had much experience in public life, hay !, ling served so many years as congress man from the Annston district. He ha!
 taken vigorous part in the civic life o
 Birmingham since his residence here, ane has been particularly active in all mat . ters pertaining to education. His friends i. contend that he has elements of DO litical strength commanded by no on' else and that he would fill the position with great credit to the imperial in dustrial county of Alabama.
 The name of Fred M. Jackson is also . always mentioned in connection with the
 possibilities in this race. MT. Jackson's ! friends contend that he is favorably in clired to make the race, but that ht :. would be unwilling to go into 1t unless q the opposition to the incumbent could ot
 SD centralized as to make 1t worth his h lwhile to get into the night with vigol : land see 1t through to the end. MT. JACK . son for many years has probably beer
 as prominently and as closely identified
 with the prohibition cause as any mar -I;n Alabama and yet there are evidences
 that some of the best-knoWn pronlpitioi
 Headers would be unable to support nm
 because of his attitude in some or tn'
 Iprevious political contests birminsnan
 has been called upon to settle. His atti
 tude and his influence, however, are Tel
 to be important factors in the next rac'
 for congress- |.
 Among the names recently heard Il
 Iconnection with the race IS that or ter
 iC. King. former member of the legisia
 Iture. author of the Greater Birmingham
 lbill, and only recently appointed assis
 Itant city attorney. Mir. King made tn
 race for congress from this district ono
 ibefore. but since that time he has had
 Hong spell of sickness, which some Of hi
 friends contend would hinder him fror
 igetting into the campaign with the vigo
 and the aggressive ness which 1t is Tel
 will be necessary to make successfl ' lcampaign. On the other hand MT. King health has shown such great improve
 msnt during recent months that many ( . his intimates say he would put up figh that would surprise the doubters.
 NEW NAME SUGGESTED But the name suggested during the pal , few days which will probably be hear with most surprise is that of J. F. Carl one of the best-known insurance men town.
 MT. Carle Is said never to have hel [ political office and had never even COT l sidered offering for one He was former
 fly -chief chemist of the Republic con Ipany, but in recent years has been devo ing his attention to his insurance bus
 ness entirely. His wide acquaintance an , popularity are attributed largely to h