The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-09-07
ATTORNEY GENERAL
 CERTAIN TO OFFER
Carmichael, Mcdowell, Patterson, Sanford And
 Graves Possibilities
ASPIRANTS WATCH
 KILBY'S COURSE
Donald Conner, Judge Miller And Dr. Willingham Are Also
 Talked Of
(State Capital Bureau)

MONTGOMERY, Ala. Sept. G. Preliminary skirmishing is already un- der way for positions in the next guber- material contest in Alabama, though the primary is more than year and half distant. According to observers around the capitol, even more than the usual flock of hopeful aspirants has appeared on the horizon, scanning the political landscape and figuring out the chances of alighting in the chair at the mahog- any desk on capitol hill. ]. Prospective candidates have their patrols out, re- connoitering the positions of possible opponents and the state of public senti- ment, and familiarizing themselves with the topography of the coming battle field. Unless all signs fail, if the state is not saved in 1926, it will not be for lack of men willing to come forward unflinchingly in an effort to save it.
 Experienced observers predict, how ever, that there will be marked re- duction in the number of volunteers for the storming party which will essay to capture the strategic position at the head of Dexter avenue, by the time the actually gets under way. They point out that all men who would like to be governor do not always make the race and that the twentieth century seeker after high office, whatever may be his faults, is not usually devoid of discretion.
 Those Mentioned
 Those most frequently mentioned as likely candidates in this preliminary stage of maneuvering for position are Harwell G. Davis, present attorney gen. eral; A. H. Carmichael of Tuscumbia, Charles s. Mcdowell, lieutenant goy- ernor; A. G. Patterson, president of the Alabama Public Service commission; T. D. Sanford of Opelika and Colonel Bibb Graves of Montgomery.
 Admirers of MT. Carmichael sdeclare that he is a statesman who has done much for Alabama and who will do more If given the opportunity. He has served as speaker of the house of rep and was a member of the state senate in the legislature of 1919, where he had leading part in the en- actment of legislation. He is classed as among the most prominent lawyers of the state and is universally regarded as a formidable contender, provided of course he decides to contend.
 Attorney General Davis is a World war veteran, wounded in France. As attorney general he declared Alabama's presidential preferential primary law to be unconstitutional, confirming the pop ular suspicion that there was something wrong with it. When the state broke away from the policy announced at the time the $25, 5,000,000 bond issue was au- thorized, of matching bond money with federal aid, dollar for dollar, Attorney General Davis as a member of the bond commission voted against the sale of bonds which inaugurated the policy of highway building independent of fed eral aid and approval. He is classed among the advocates of law enforcement of the positive kind, and his entrance into the gubernatorial race is consid- cred more nearly certain at this time than that of most prospective. candidates.
 McDOwell's Chances
 Lieutenant Governor Mcdowell is usually regarded as the Grown Prince and heir apparent of the Brandon re- gime, his success depending upon this regime will have d direct beir. He served as state senator from Barbour county in the 1919 legisla- ture, and is regarded as a How tax" man, having been elected lieutenant gov ernor on the Poor state and rich peo- pie" slogan of two years ago. It is un- that Mir. Mcdowell will enjoy the support of Governor Brandon in his campaign.
 Colonel Bibb Graves headed the for lorn hope in 1922, when the war-worn populace of Alabama was ready far peace at almost any price. The small percentage of votes which be rolled up at this time is regarded by some proph- cts as an indication that his chances to- day are less that those of some other aspirants. Others predict that he will show a reversal of form. It is recalled that Colonel Graves was the only one among many now being mentioned for governor who fought Senator Oscar w. Undcrwoods presidential aspirations in the recent campaign. Rumor has it fur ther that he will be the 'klan candi- date," and will receive the benefit of whatever unfavorable reaction may ex- ist to the anti-klan efforts of Senator
 (COntinued on Page 2.)