The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-11
UNDERWOOD SAYS
 GRAY IS THE MAN Congressman Heartily Endorses Jefferson County Candidate A TRIBUTE TO MR. GRAY
Mir. Underwood Says Railway Reeula- ton Is Paramount Issue In Nation. Endorses RooseveIt's Position.
 The Democratic Policy.

Oscar ". Underwood representative in Congress from the Ninth district, took oc- casion yesterday, in commenting ol iai way regulation throughout the country, to endorse unqualifiedly the candidacy or Henry B. Gray of Jefferson county Tor lieutenant governor.
 "It is clear" said MT. Underwood, In talking with a company of frlends III 'he afternoon at the Hillman, 'that the ques- ton of railway regulation Is now the para mount issue in American politics. My po- sition toward that question has been set out so frequently and so emphatically in speeches I have made and in votes have cast in the House of Representatives that I hardly need to repeat my views on the subject.
 .'It is sufficient for me to state that am in favor of the policy of railway regu- lation that has been adopted by President Roosevelt I am satisfied that that policy will be supported and sustained by prac- tcally unanimous vote on the democratic side of the House. It Is essentially the policy of the democratic party. The 1act that 1t is championed by republican President will not deter democrats from giving 1t their enthusiastic and consoli- dated support"
 What do you think of the outlook In Alabama on the railway regulation prob lem?" was asked.
 MT. Underwood smiled significantly, paused for a moment and said:
 "For obvious reasons it would be inn proper in me to comment on that sub- ject, in so far at least as 1t involves the contest for governor.
 Gray's Announcement. "There was, however, in yesterdays and today's newspapers" continued MT. Un- derwood, "a political development that should, think, evoke the lively interest and the enthusiastic endorsement of the people not only of the Birmingham dis trict but of the whole state. I refer to the announcement made by Henry B. Gray, that he is candidate for the of- flee of lieutenant governor.
 That office, merely as a ribbon to stick on ones coat-a decoration to be be- slowed upon some eminently respectable but none too forceful citizen--is of little If any importance. But as position, used for the political upbuilding and welfare Of Alabama and occupied by a man with brains in his head and touch of iron in his blood, the office of lieutenant gov ernor offeps rare opportunities for endur- ing public service.
 "Of all men in the state,'' continued Mir Underwood, "there is, in my opinion, none who would discharge the responsible tiles of that office-who would do the serious work that attaches to it--more acceptably to the people than would Henry B. Gray.
 'When I make that statement I mean of the man-his character, personality and ability-upon knowledge obtained through out fifteen years of intimate personal and political association.
 Henry Gray Is gentle through and through and he is manly through and through. Every one who knows him re- cognizes that he is one of those men who never turn their backs either upon a friend or an enemy. In the hot conflict of political campaigns he fights with all his heart and soul and strength for the
 
 take hard blows, and, if occasion re. | qure, he does not hesitate to do either His sense of personal loyalty is as fine and unwavering as that of any man have ever known.
 Word Good as His Bond.
 "In every relation of life, his word is a. good as his bond Upon 1t the people car rely with absolute confidence There i: not an ounce of negative force in hi. composition. He is positive, aggressiv, and bold-bold at times almost to tn, point of audacity.
 "He Is the kind of man who does things When once he is committed to a proposi tion, he gives his hand and his heart t, it, goes In for 1t for all he is worth, ant translates his purposes into results.
 Henry Grays letter of announcement is characteristic of the man. It is clear concise, comprehensive and sound on tn, political issues of the state campaign. I goes straight at those issues without tn, slightest trace of evasion, and states hi views on each so clearly that every votel in the state may know exactly wher, Gray stands.
 Gray and Railway Rate Reform.
 "I was interested especially" continued Mir. Underwood. 'in what Gray said re garding railway rate reform. His pro nouncement on that question demon