The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-02
INDICATIONS NOW
 POINT ID QUIET
 STATE CAMPAIGN Voters Thus Far Are Show ing Remarkably Little In-
 terest in Contests
LEGISLATORS MUST
 STAY IN WASHINGTON
Candidates for State and County Offices Have Until July 15 in Which to File Their
 Announcements
By FRED H. GoRMLEY

Montgomery June 1-(Special) The conscription by President Wilson of the time of all senators and con gressmen during the summer and the apathetic attitude of the voters toward things political are the combination which promises to give this state the quietest campaign ever carried on since Alabama was admitted to the union.
 If any person is talking politics ex- cept those actively interested he must be in corner behind door. 'AAs views certainly have not reached those whose duty 1t is to chronicle political events. Several things happened this week which in ordinary times would have created statewide interest-but the voters have more serious things to think about and their minds are be- ing directed in other channels.
 A smile comes to an old politician when he compares the amendment campaign of 1909 with the amendment campaign of 1918. In 1909 when the issue was practically the same tthen it was proposed to write prohibition in the state constitutions; now it is proposed to write prohibition in the national constitution great crowds at tended every meeting in the hope or gaining further information in order that they might cast an intelligent vote. The state was aroused for weeks before the election.
 Today there is different story. series of joint debates had been ar ranged for the discussion of the pro- hibition amendment. Speakers repre- senting the ratification committee, aud John H. Wallace, Jr.. who is opposed to the amendment, met at Huntsville for a joint debate. Reports indicate that there was little interest com pared with the interest that many ex- pected to see. Two hundred persons heard the debate. according to re- ports. In 1909 no building in Hunts vile would have held the crowd.
 The debaters went from Huntsville to Birmingham. There they were greeted by 750 people. Many remem- Der the old days when 2000 would have been small audience for such a debate. It had been agreed that at the conclusion of the series of debates another would be arranged in order that all citizens might hear discus sion of the issues. So little interest has been shown it is doubtful that the debates will be continued.
 One point has been pretty well clari- fled this week-the anti-amendists will have no particular candidate In the race for governor. Forney John- stons announcement that he would not seek the nomination put new life and new hope into four of the five candidates These four---John H. Wal lace, Jr., William w. Brandon, Charles E. Teasley and John Purifoy-believe they will obtain enough anti-amend- ment votes with their personal follow ing to make the nomination MT. Wal lace and MT. Teasley are actively so- s,t4 Il xl- ists and are making the amendment the chief issue. MT. Brandon is stil making search for any votes, pro or anti. that might be brought to his side. MT. Purifoy is saying nothing, but writing many personal appeals. No one seems to know just what Mir Purifoy is telling the voters. His campaign is the usual one for him. He never says much to the public at large but makes his fight among his friends, who use their personal influence
 When MT. Johnston made his state- ment. Mir. Teasley showed great ela- tion. He came forth with the public statement that this assured his nomi- nation. He believes the anti-amend- ists will gradually turn to him. Mr Wallace claims to know that promi- nent anti-amendists at the proper time will come out openly for him and take part in his campaign.
 WHAT WILL UNDERWOOD DO?
 Senator Oscar w. Underwood sent a thrill through the anti-amendist camp this week with statement firm Wash ington that he would come to this state and campaign against the amendmest. But President Wilson took a hand the nextsday and in personal message to Congress requested all senators and con- gressmen to remain on the job and let the elections take care of themselves. Senator Underwood then announced that his duty was in Washington but he would do all in his power to defeat the rati- fcation of the amendment by Alabama.
 It is doubtful that many congress- men will return to their districts for many days even though they have op- position. Many believe it would be bad political move to disregard the wishes of President Wilson while the people are more interested in seeing that the Presidents hands are upheld in every matter than they are in politics. Each time congressman comes to Alabama to look after political fences he will face this query: Didn't the President say he needs you in Washington It will be hard on Congressman Oscar L. Gray of the First district. Henry B. Steagall of the Third, John l.. Burnett of the Seventh and George Huddleston of the ninth, who have serious opposition. but they have this consolation in words from the President: Nothing matters much now except the winning of the war"
 Senator John H. Bankhead, who is op- posed for reelection by Frank s. White -----------------