The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-01-14
 second striking characteristic of the man annears Ha 5A{ .fs


 second striking eharacteristic of the man appears.
 It is his conservatism.
 Conservatism bristles out of IJnder- wood like quilIs out of a porcnpine. He always touches his answers to such ] questions in such language that they can not be twisted about and made to t-mean something that he didn't say. No party secrets or plans ever get out through Underwood and before he places his endorsement on such plans all forms of radicalism are removed That's what is now drawing the strong est financial interests of the country toward Underwood with the view of backing his presidential campaign. The money interests like a conservative man and Underwood fills their bill to the last requirement.
 A remark made by one of his friends a short time ago very clearly Illustrates this characteristic. He was one of the men who first urged Underwood to make the race for Congress in 1894 and was speaking of why it was Underwood to whom the choice fell to make the race then. Underwood is a gentleman whose personal bearing seems perfect. I have never known him to1actually offend al man by thoughtlessness or mistake. Ee| is always in absolute control of his tem-|
 
 loses a friend and is always and con-| tinually making new ones. To my knowl-| edge Underwood has his first untactful| deed or remark yet to make"
 Personal Appearance [ The stature of Underwood is big He| E is now nearly 90 years old and has| reached his maturity long ago. He is of medium height, with a large frame that is well filled out, aithongh itcould not be said that he is a fat man. From| outward appearances it would seem that Underwood was q. man of about D years of age. Hiss'face is full and ratherI round and when he smiles there are wis ibe two rows Of white teeth that put the finishing touch to the impression that Underwood is a well preserved and well groomed man. Not the slightest sign of dissipation can be found in his features Underwood has no vices. He smokes cigarettes and cigars and when at ban quets and social dinners takes sparingiy of champaigne or alcoholic liquors. He is | an Episcopaiian and is a- member of St. Mary's on the Hiehlands. one of the fashionable Episcopal churches on South | Highlands in Birming ham,
 One of the first impressions that is . gathered in reviewing the life of Oscar Underwood is that there are no Thigh lights" Underwood does not remember ..how he earned his first dollar" He has never struggled in the throes of pow erty, sold newspapers on the streets or been thrown out into the world to starve or make good. Underwood's father was not wealthy. but he was prosperous, was amply able to educate his children and Underwood was given good start in life. .f.
 But after he was started he made good He has always been worker and not a member of the idle rich'' set who attend theatre parties and mas querade balls. raise pedigree bull dogs and marry titled foreigners from across the seas. Underwoods capacity for work is one of the remarkable characteristics of the man.
 The keynote to his life has been "Friendlness. Honesty and Work Just a few days before he left for Washing ton this winter to attend the Sixty second Congress a newspaper man asked him:
 MT. Underwood. what do you most admire in youE friends2''
 His eyes sparkled, his features re- faxed into a friendly smile and the without moments hesitation he an swered:
 ''Truthfulness- and honesty, my boy truthfulness and honesty"