The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-29
COMMISSION RACE
 PROMISES THRILL. OF 1925 POLITICS
Veterans Predict Colorful Fight With Fewer Can
 didates Than Ever
LINES OF BATTLE
 HAVE BEEN DRAWN
Sam Hawkins, John Fay. Tor And Jerry Gwinn,
 Toss Hats In Ring

There will be fewer candidates in next years race for the city commis. sion than in any previous campaign, veteran politicians predicted Satur- day.
 This does not mean, they say, that 6 dull campaign is in prospect. On the contrary, they look for the most color ful race in years.
 Although election Fay is more than 12 months off, the old-timers declare the lines for the 1925 battle have drawn and that most of the contestants already are looking after their inter- | ests.
 There's reason for this prediction of small group of candidates.
 According to well-defined reports, three "outsiders" are being groomed to make the fight against the incum- bents who stand for reelection. These ''outsiders" are:
 Sam W. Hawkins, former state sena. tor; John A. Taylor, former commits sioner, and Jerry Gwinn, member of lsthe board of revenue, who retires in | December.
 The political gossip is that this trio will positively be in the race and that, for this reason, many prospective can. didates will keep out and let them run it out with the administration candi- dates.
 Others Probable
 Of course, it is still being noised around that T. E. Huey and W. B.. Copeland, both of the present revenue board, will be in the race, and that William l.. White and Marvin A. Dins. more will throw in their lids at the proper time; but the old-timePs con- tend that the wkins-TaylOr-Gwinn combination would tend to sharply re- duce the number of entrants.
 According to the sponsors of their somewhat premature boom, Mir. Haw- kins will run for president of the com mission; Mir. Taylor will seek to suc- ceed W. B. Oboe as chief of the public safety department, and Mfr. Gwinn will go after the post of commissioner of streets and public improvements, now held by, w. D. Dickson.
 Only three commissioners will be named next year, as the legislative act reducing the body from five to three members will become effective.
 The office now held by W. l.. HAr- rison, in charge of public utilities and parks and playgrounds, will be merged with that of President D. E. McLen- don. Duties now performed by Mrs. Mary Echols As commissioner of health and education will be made part of i the work of the commissioner of public safety.
 At least three, and maybe all five of the present commissioners will be out for reelection. The only doubtful ones are Dickson and Mrs. Echols.
 Harrison Urged
 Commissioner HArrisOn's friends are urging him to run for president of the | be out to succeed himself. Thus, a hot fight between these officials, who | have long been the keenest of rivals, Is in prospect, with Sam Hawkins candidacy making it a three-cornered affair.
 For weeks rumors have been afloat that several leading women would be in the campaign. But the veteran poli- ticians are asking the question: What will they run for?"
 They (the politicians) contend that the only post on the commission that is suited for a woman is being abolished with the end of the present regime. A woman, they say, would not want to | be police commissioner, or street com missioner, or even commission presi- dent with all the city's finances to worry about.
 In the belief of observers who never take their minds off city politics, there will be very few issues next year. l Therefore, the races will turn largely on the personal popularity of the can