The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-08-01
,ME.HIDlA1 SS


 Meridian, Miss, aiy sI spscia1. -- The fifth district race for ongress is developing into one o1 The hottest ir rumber Of years and the antest as fu
 4rrner Attorney General Collins ana Congressman Venable. the latter for re election, the lines are very tightly drawn, both. sides already claiming Vlc- tory for their favorite. Reports from the rural districts away from the towns are to the effect that Collins is running strong and that in the towns VenabIe appears to have the best of the situation. Just what strength the third man in the contest, c. c. John son, may develop is one of the un- known aspects of the campaign and around this vote appears to hinge the probability of a second primary. The platform on which General Collins has seen fit to cast his lot in the contest is that of opposing what he charac- terizes a waste of the peoples money by graft and reckless waste in war preparation, while Congressman Vena- ble's platform is an out and out in Gorsement of the Wilson administra- ton in the matter of war expenditures and entire preparedness programme. Another of the important issues on which the two candidates are directly opposed is that of the soldiers bonus bill Collins approving the bill and Congressman Venable having voted against it. The Cummins Esch railroad bill for which Venable voted is also opposed by Collins, Meridian, the home town of the three candidates, IS con ceded by practically every one who keeps in touch with the rise and fall of the political curtain, to be badly mixed and it is predicted the vote will be close between Collins and Venable and as to which of the two will carry the county at large is problem each side appears to hsve~solyed satlsfac- .torily to themselves for their candt- date. The first primary date is August IT and one of the largest votes ever boiled in this county is almost certain.
 The contest for circuit judge, which ia not quite so heated as that Of the contest for Congress, is by no means without interest. There are three can didates in this race, Judge C.. C. Mll- Ter and s. M Graham of Meridian. and U. D. Fatheree of Quitman, Clarke county. It being a special election called by Governor Russell to fiM the fun unexpired term of Judge Rowland w. Heidelberg resigned, there will be no run off, the leading candidate in the race being declared elected. This elec- tion will be held on the same date as the congressional first primary and conducted by the same managers, clerks and deputy sheriffs.
 The preliminary trial of pr. J. c. Rob inson, a local physician, charged in a federal warrant with violation of the Harrison anti-narcotic law, resulted in 1 his being held to await the action of the grand jury. His bond was fixed at $500, which he promptly made. and was 1 released.
 l Mer;dian,s cIean-up campaign of a ! week came to an end today with the announcement that the city is ready to boast of being the cleanest city in Mis- | sissippi. The work is said to have been thorough and to make sure thAs | is a fact an inspection tour Will DC made by the authorities next week. The people of Meridian entered into the spirit of the campaign with unanimous l co operation, which enabled the au' thorities to carry out their programme l without a hitch.
 Cliff Williams, in an address to thu i local Rotary Club, stated that he is now i assured of a splendid delegation o | Meridian good roads disciples to mak' hthe trip to St. Paul, Minn., to attend the annual convention of the Mississipp Valley Highway Association, Septembei l 20-21 He stated that the number O delegates was already sufficient to fil one Pullman and he thought that other: l in sufficient number would be secured to justify enga ging a second sleeper. Joe Bell. aged s5, one of the bes known negroes of Meridian, who diet Il Friday, will be buried here tomorrow Bell had been in the employ of the Ar mour Co. local plant for twent,
 years, and made the record of neve having missed a day, with the exception of about two weeks. Manager P " tScott of the Armour interests her
 stated today that all empioye of tn
 plane, would attend the funeral of thu
 negro eu Sunday, and were if not sha
 the funeral is to be held on that day
 the entire DSsiness would be susreadeS
 as mark of the esteem in whiun ths negro was held by both white aad col ored employees.
 Would Abolish Own Office
 | By Associated Pres
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