The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-31
EARLE MENTIONED ].
 FOR PARK VACANCY
Wharton's Predicted ReSig- nation Accepted-PhiIIips
 Discussed Board Situation

Sam Earle's name was most often heard about In the city hall Tues day for the vacancy on the park board He was one of the first pro- posed when tentative slates were being made up. J. K. Brockman has been discussed more than once for the vacancy and the names of H. U. Sims, H. K. Miner, D. M. Tutwiler IT,, A. H. Woodward and other men, who have had the interests of the city at heart for a long time have been mentioned.
 Since it was known more than a week ago, when it was announced exclusively in The Age Herald that R. H. Wharton would resign, specu- lation has been rife about the filling of the vacancy, causing the delay in definitely calling the board, as elect ed together for organization and election Of a chairman, MT. Whart- or's letter of resignation was read to the meeting of the city commis- sion Tuesday, when it could be of ficially received. Upon motion of Commissioner w. F. Dickson, who had nominated him.. it was accepted.
 There has been a really hot con test on In the city for two weeks One faction wanted Commissioner w L. Harrison. holding that as he N as the originator of the park board, had carried the bill through the legislature, had handled park af- fairs in their improvement through the past two years and finally had obtained an appropriation of S7S,- 900 for parks, he was the logical man, especially because. of his of fclal position on the city board as commissioner of parks.
 Factions Cause Resignation.
 Another Faction has been inten- sively fighting for many weeks to obtain the nomination of NJ. P. Phil lirs for the chairmanship. and it is publicly known that great pressure has been brought to bear on the members for his support for the cl airmanship. This intensive cam paign Is believed to have had no little to do with the resignation of MT. Wharton, who stated, when he was first reported to consider re- signing that he had not been all lowed time to attend to his banking affairs for two days because of the incessant pressure brought to bear cn him.
 The effort to prevent the nomina- tion of MT, Harrison for the chair- manship was so intense that a dele gation called on the governor to in- duce him to use his influence to warp the Harrison bill so that the nomination of the chairman would be, by law, in the hands of the gov ernor, the fight against MT. Har- rison being made particularly be- cause he was labor leader, this belief being born confidential tele- grams to several senators from Vic tor H. Hanson that referred to hav- il city affairs get in the hands of "the we'll organized minority" a n plr r1on m thof Jp hoe heard more than once since. This telegram was revealed by The Age Herald
 Just how much further the fight on Mir Harrison will go is not |. own, but tbere are signs that it is waning.
 Board Meeting Postponed.
 Meeting If the park board has been indefinitely postponed until the vacancy is filled. This matter, ic is said, cannot be settled before the next official meeting ofs the city commission. and not necessarily titen.
 From body created to assist the commissioner the park board has Tad thrust tG. 1t a position of being the center or a factional and po- litical storm, not by the members themselves, but by those who have
 
 of the chairns nship.
 Letter From Phillips.
 The following communication, signed by M. P. Phillips, was re- ceived at The Age Herald office Tuesday:
 Birmingham, Ala, Oct. 30. 1923.
 "Ther+ have been frequent state ments in the public press to the ef- feet that contest for the presidency of the park and recreation board was actively Cn and that fight would De made at the time of the organization of the board between two factions. As my name has been associated with one of these fac lions and the impression has gotten abroad that l am candidate for the presidency of the board I wish to state briefly my position.
 AS Is generally known by my friends and those who have been In touch with my efforts in connection with the establishment If this board and the securing for Birming- ham of Q comprehensive park and recreation system, my whole inter- est has been to get results and l am convinced that the best results can not be obtained unless this board can be organized and conducted entirely free from politics.
 1T was elected a member of this board without any solicitation from me, and, in fact, against my protest, and I have not sought the presi- dency of the board.
 T am willing to serve on this board, provided it is organized and administered to get the best results fer the city of Birmingham.
 T am unwilling to serve on this board unless it is organized and