The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-11
Never in a Hurry, Always Affable

Mir Underwood is never in hurry. He would not fall downstairs with any un- seemly haste. He walks leisurely, and the most slippery pavement would not hasten his steps.
 Invariably affable, MT. Underwood IS considered the most agreeable man who ever served as head of the great ways and means committee. Visitors are wei come and invited to come in. He will lay aside any work to receive them. He Is cheerful, methodical and does things in what would be a snappy way but for his deiberation. His rooms are Kept Tn perfect order. He is beloved by nearly all his associates. The attaches of the House swear by him. He keeps the same two negroes, Harry and William, who served Serene E. Payne when chairman of the ways and means committee. And this. too, despite the fact that several thousand negroes in Alabama would like the places. He always fishes out a dime or a quarter for the bellboys and walters at his hotel He Is a good listener. He hears all hard luck stories. He remains silent until the visitor states his proposi- ticn and then replies. He walks to the door with his caller.
 Responsibility has added vim and viz )r to the voice of MT. Underwood. He looks more aggressive. He feels the burden inn posed on him and assumes it. He is
 
 is just the same as before becoming minority leader. He is quite unobtrusive, observant and prepared for any emer- gency His head has not been turned by suddenly acquired power.
 The activity and industry of MT. Under wood would astonish the ant to whom Solomon referred the sluggard. He IS among the first to reach the House oftice building. He arrives shortly before O. clock when the ice in the water coolers has not begun to settle. His wife takes him over in a little electric car. Neither cares for the big and noisy vehicles The gait of the eelctric Is always the same. Some persons say they can tell the lJn- derwood car from the greatest visible dis tance by its motion.
 MT. Underwood awakens at o'clock and fusses with himself a half hour to get 'ip. He aims to retire at Il every night, but seldom comes up to shis expectations He takes long walks. He just glides along, but does not hurry. He merely keeps going. He is not dissimlar in that respect 10 the late Speaker Reed who walked down Pennsylvania avenue to the Peace monument and then took a car to ride up the hill.
 No claims are made by Mir. Underwood to oratorical ability. A regular attendant of the House, he Is ready to meet and answer all arguments. He gave up all other avocations except that of being legislator when sent to Congress. He makes no pretense to being a politician. He is not a prolific speaker. He is fre- quently compared to ex-Senator Adrch, who said little, but that little was direct, forceful and plain. He has a good carry ing voice. He never speaks except for purpose He does not use a manuscript, but has full equipment of facts and sta tistics with him. All his addresses are argumentave and not filled with rhetoric or rhapsody His gestures are few and of the most simple variety. He does not rant or rave He does not prance up and down or march to and fro. He usually stands still, a hand resting on the desks between which he Is speaking, and aims his voice right at the man he is answering.
 As an organizer and manager Of men MT. Underwood has few equals. In that respect he is again compared to Aldrich. who could find some way of evading overthrow in the Senate, even after the 're-rpcnta came along from the west and built a fire under him.
 Club Life and Recreations
 MT. Underwood has liking for club