The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-08-11
Straw Vote Shows Him Running Close Second To
 Governor Wilson
BOOM BUT 30 DAYS OLD
 IS FULL OF PROMISE
Uoary Tradition About Geographical Disability Has Taken Tumble. All Eyes Are Upon
 Underwood
By WALTER HARPER

Washington, August 10--(Speclal)-With Oscar W. Underwoods presidential boom still less than one month old, 1t has as- stunned most startling proportions, not only under the shadow of the capitol dome, but from Maine to California.
 The Underwood boom was begun at home as an expression from the home folks in Alabama and his state colleagues in Congress of their appreciation of his ability and exceptional leadership in the Congress.
 Tie movement almost instantly as- sUmed national proportions. Hoary tradi- tions began to tumble eliminating the im- aEinary traditional disability of geograph- ica location. Newspapers east. west. north and south have been unstinting in their praise of the new leader of the dem ocratic party. Not one discordant note has come from any unsefsh source.
 MT. Underwod is suddenly more than native son He is more than state hope. He begags to the party and the party seems to be eager to recognize and honor rim. The republicans admit that he is powerful and is possessed of growing and lasting qualities.
 He has demonstrated that he knows when and how to strike effectively. and is absolutely fearless. He is not the kind of man that is liable to make mistakes He is too thoughtful and deliberate.
 A poll of members of Congress taken last Saturday and published in the early edition of the New York World discloses a most surprising sentiment toward MT. Underwood.
 Stardifr with men who have been in the presidential lmelight for months, some of them for years, Mir. Underwood lines up fourth on first choice. First and second choice place MT. Underwood sec onl and close 10 Woodrow Wilson.
 Now, what do you think of that for a southern man whose boom is less than 90 days old, and who has never uttered a word relating to his probable candidacy?
 A large numher of democratiq senators and representatives refraned from cast ing their ballots in this midsummer stra@.. vote It is known that some of these non. committals have a leaning for Under wod Perhaps they want to watch him l.ttle further. He will bear scrutiny of the closest kind and his most partisan friends are willing for him to bear the scrutiny of the people It Is safe to say that MT. Underwood will get as many of taess on-commitals as the other candi- teS--and more.
 II has already been demonstrated that vslias was at first looked upon as local expression of appreciation will have to be dealt with as a national movement Of formidable proportions. The only hope that Mir Underwood's political opponents entertain is that Mr. Underwood may break down somewhere. But on this score his friends are resting easy.
 If he develops during the remainder of tlus session and the coming regular ses- sion 1t is easy to figure out what may happen in the second or third ballot in the next national democratic convention that will probably be held in Baltimore. Fur ther developmentt in MT. Underwood is not necessary He has only to continue his even course. make no serious head mistake and hold his own.
 Alabama will do well to accord Mir. Un- derwood rousing welcome when he re- turns to Birmingham at the end of the special session. Alabama has a son in Underwod of whom it may well feel proud.