The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-08-20
RA|NEY ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT WHEN
 HIS TERM EXPIRES
If Present Contest Should Be Decided Against Him, However, He Will Offer
 for Re- election
By HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bureau The Age-Herald
 BOO Da yids0u BuildinR

Washington, August 1s.-(Special) Congressman L. B. Rainey of the Seventh Alabama district today an nounced that he intended to retire from Congress at the end of his pres ent term, provided he was not un- seated in the contest which IS now pending before Congress. Indications are that the contest will be decided favorable to Mir. Raincy. Members of the elections committee which heard 1t have indicated as much
 Mir. Rainey has been in Congress two terms and is regarded as one of the influential members from the south. It is understood that MT. Rainey is quitting Congress to re- enter the practice of law, and that his reason for retiring from Congress is that the position is no, sufficiently remunerative to justify him making the sacrifice.
 Among those mentioned to succeed Mir. Rainey are Gen. William l.. Si- bert, and Maj, Harwell Davis of Gadsden, Miles c. Allgood of Blount county, Thomas E. Orr of Albertville and Judge w. w. Haralson of Fort Payne. MT. Rainey's statement to the voters of his district follows
 Rainey's statement
 Tt has been my intention for sometime to retire from Congress- This I propose to do at the termina- ton of my present term provided only. if the republicans should unseat me before the primary of 1922, 1 will then be a candidate for re- election It Is a well-known fact in the district that the contest waged against me is unfair, unjust and waged solely in vidictive partisan spirit with the hope that through the exercise of the power of great partisan majority here, l will be un- seated regardless of right. In that event, in justice both to myself ana to the loyal democrats of my district, would be compelled, and l .shouid feel it duty to ask for re-election'
 .The contestant and his cohorts have assailed the character, the honor and the integrity of the democratic party, not only in the seventh dis- trict, but in the state of Alabama They have openly and defiantiy charged that pdTty Wieh SAihf''i"' sy ' Their infamous charges and Vile aspersions do not. however. in my judgment. find ready response rom the committee on elections. am grat- flied to say that they appear to be very fair and will decide t1c con test on the basis of fairness, Justice equity and the real merits Of the case. Upon such an investigation, have no fear of the results.
 II wish to thank the democrats and all personal friends for their loyal support in the past, and am sure that cordial friendly spirit will gro" in the future. In the event It ooes not fall my lot and duty to become your standard bearer in the comins election. then you may count on my loyal and active support Of the demo cratic nominee. and should l not pc a candidate in the primary, then VII exercise absolute impariality favor ing no man for the nomination pu' giving oall. so far as am concerneu, and what ever influence l may haNe fine honor to hold with my friends and the party, free hand m that prim Believing that fairness ana a square deal Is the only principie upon which man should stand, ! shall demean myself accordingly. AS suring you that it shall be my pleas ure to serve you faithfully. honestly and well so long as l continue Tn Congress, have the honor 10 remain sincerely your friend.
 S. .'I. B. RAINEY'