The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-30
MUSGROVE'S HAT
 THROWN IN RING
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and there is yet time for candidates to enter the lists for other offices.
 Interest in the spring elections has shifted in recent days from the sena- torial race to the presidential pri- mary. It has become apparent that the systematic campaign against United States Senator J. Thomas Heflin has failed to raise up an op- ponent hardly enough to try and sup plant Alabamas noted cotton prophet in his hold upon the affections of the cotton raisers and other citizens of the state. This lack of opposition is regarded as a bitter pill to the considerable school of political thought in the state which does not love Senator Heflin and which ap- pears to have reluctantly decided to let him wear the senatorial toga un- challenged for another six years.
 O O O
 UnderwoOd-Musgro Again.
 As a result of the recent develop ments in the presidential primary situation, Senator Oscar Underwood will have an opponent In L. B. Mus grove of Jasper, who filed his decla- ration of candidacy Saturday night with Chairman R. B. Evins in Bir- mingham. Under the ruling adopted by the state democratic executive committee, all candidates for office must qudlllN Oil Ol pclOIC ]. which gives them through Tues day. It is reported that the presi- dential primary law has proved something of a boomerang to those who sponsored it. and whose de- clared purpose was to allow Senator Underwood to name the Alabama delegation.
 Consideration had not apparently been given to the fact that any one hn San- ator Underwood will have direct op- position in the form of an op- ponent in the primary, which would not have been the case had delegates been elected in the usual manner. While little doubt is entertained as to the outcome of such a primary, 1t is believed that the development of this direct opposition to Senator Underwood in his home state, made possible by the Werner bill will not favorably affect his cause outside Alabama.
 In the supreme court Judgeship contests, Associate Justice A. D. Sayre and Virgil Bouldin will be in the race to succeed themselves. while Judge Joel B. Brown of Gull man has qualified for the office of associate justice, thus making a three-cornered race with two to be elected. In the court of appeals Judge Henry B. Foster, appointed by Governor Brandon to fill out the unexpired term of the late Judge Henry P. Merritt will be opposed by Judge ]. Q. Smith of Birmingham, former attorney general.
 Seek To onst Quinn.
 A three-cornered race has already developed for commissioner of game and fisheries. I. r. Quinn, who now holds the office, will be in the race to succeed himself, while F. R. Holt of Montgomery and John A. DiclSin- son of Prattville have qualified as candidates for the office.
 A most important office to be filled at the next election is that of the president of the Alabama pub lie service commission. Candidates have until February 15 to qualify for this office. It is considered doubt full that the interests opposed to President. A. G. Patterson will bring out an opponent because they have not been able to detect any prospect of success in the contest.
 In the congressional races, the only candidate so far who has op- position is George Huddleston of the Ninth district. who is opposed by w. l.. White of Birmingham. It was re- ported today from Mobile that candidate will announce against Congressman John McDuffie of the First district.