The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-03-28
State Interest Centering
 In Political Campaigns
Widely Divergent Views of Senatorial Aspirants Give Voters Chance to Take Their Choice-Patterson-
 Kennedy Race Is Getting Warm
By FRED IF. GORMLEY

votes connected with this faction, but the fact that there are two candidates aoso- lutely opposed to any change in the pro hibition laws, two who do not believe the matter should be an issue. and one who would make it an issue and would insist
 that the enforcement laws be frightened have caused many to wonder whether or not a minority candidate can receive the nomination solely because of the splitting of the prohibition vote among other can
 didates.
 There are many who believe an effort
 will be made to eliminate one or more
 candidates who do not believe prohibi-
 tion should be an issue or who are out
 spoken against any change It is hinted
 that prohibitionists will attempt to per
 suade either Capt. Frank White or Dr.
 Abercrombie to retire in order that there
 n.ay be a concentration of prohibition strength. Insofar as is known, the eff
 fort has not been made, but it would be no surprise if such movement were started within the next week.
 THE MILLER DECISION It has been many day since a court decision has been so widely discussed in political circles as the opinion of Judge B. M. Miller, holding invalid the income tax section of the revenue law. Judge Miller said a few things aDout the sacred ness of the constitution, referred to it as | the dTk Ol ln6 CONtHdnts OCSAdAC Cd tAS courts should render invalid any measure which infringed upon the instrument and held that the legislature had no power to impose a tax of from to per cent or incomes because incomes are property, and the constitution limits tax assess
 ments for state purposes to to cents on
 each $i00 of property.
 Many have pronounced some sections of his opinion as dicta, the term used by lawyers and judges when anything is said which has no bearing on the de- cision, but it has had it's effect. Those opposed to the income tax approved 1t; farmers and others not touched by the
 law insist that it was excellent po- litcal card for candidate to play, but
 one which has no bearing on the little
 game between the state and certain b>-
 terests which cannot be ended until the
 supreme court has taken a part.
 The state will appeal to the supreme
 court at once from the decision of Judge
 Miller. It is believed decision will be
 handed down by this court before the end
 of April. The primary election will be held May II. PATTERSON-KENNEDY CONItEST Much interest is developing in the race
 between A. c. Patterson of Albany and Sam P. Kennedy of Anniston( incumbent, for president of the public service com mission. MT. Patterson's state organiza- ton became active during the week. MT Kennedys state organization has been at work for two months. Mir. Patterson in formed his friends Saturday that grea.-r progress could not have been made in the short time his friends hay eben at work. MT. Kennedy's campaign manager, At ticus Mullin, said his organization had been completed and was working in all counties.
 A. c. Smith, the third candidate, is still running, although up to this time he has done little campaigning. Mir. Kennedy is spending his time in Montgomery, though it is known that he is being sup ported by travelling men who are visiting various counties in the interest of their 1 private affairs each week. It is possible that they are putting in a word for their favorite wherever they go.