The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-18
Howard Tells Why Under wood Is the Party's
 Greatest Leader
REPRESENTATIVE OF
 ATLANTA DISTRICT
Says the South Is Sustaining It's
 Reputation for Producing Leaders in National Affairs
BY WALTER HARPER

l Washington. February 17.--(Special)- Congressman William Schley Howard of Georgia is an earnest supporter of Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama for President of the United States.
 Discussing the south in politics and the availability of MT. Underwood. MT. How- ard said:
 "The south has produced so many great men that it would almost become an end less task should I attempt to recount the part taken by each in adding to the lus- ter of the history of our great section. For me, do not believe that the south is incapable of producing great men now we have not quit the business | Tn both branches of Congress today southern men have their hands upon the wheel of the ship of state and are accept ed as the greatest leaders by the nation. "F'or what reason should southern de- mocracy say we cannot elect one from amongst us President. We have done it. From where did Washington, Jefferson, Madison Monroe and Jackson hail? Who did more than these to make the nation great?
 Southern democracy-to use time worn representative been the 'hewers of wood and the drawers of water for the party for the last 50 years. We have even been so timid in our demands that we who have held the greatest party this country has ever known together when the people of other sections were wander ing off after strange creeds and accept
 ing other principles to even ask for the vice presidential nomination.
 The question: now is, shall l, a Georgian, who knows the south and her traditions, who knows the sterling worth of her citizenry who felt the keen touch of her struggles. who has witnessed the greatest fight of her peo- pie to regain her place in the nation; discredit one of her most brilliant and honored sons before the nation, because he happens to be from our SIorious southland.
 pressed for the purpose of influencing a living soul, the south has at last pro- duced a man who will be received by the people of the entire Union with open arms. The democracy of Maine and New York, of Ohio, and Illinois. of Oregon and Kansas know him and be- lieve in him.
 oscar W, Underwood of Alabama is
 
 soul of honor. Of great capacity for work-as he possesses exceptional ex- ecutiye ability. As cool under heavy fire in debate as he Is in his committee room Conversing with a friend. Never unfair to an adversary. and always courteous and patient with those who go to him for counsel.
 "Mr Underwood by training has had wonderful advantages over any man in la Init xUhn A chance to become President Not quite 50 years of age he has been continuously in Con- gress for IS years. He has served on practically every important committee or the House during that period His wonderful knowledge of the details of leg islation naturally and peculiarly fit him for the presidency.
 Last summer I was sitting in the gal lery of the House with very prominent Atlantan when MT. Underwood had the floor on the farmers free list bill Under wood was under heavy fire from the re- publican side. As he literally mowcu each one down who attacked his position. my friend turned to me and said: Ihat man has the most remarkable memory and the greatest store of knowledge about the tariff question of any living Amer ican.' He spoke the absolute truth-he has. and for that matter most any other question:
 .The thing that will most impress the American people with MT. Underwood ny actual contact with him Is his apsoiate honesty of purpose. He would not De- tray trust or do wrong to be President. His loyalty to democracy and the masses of the people is more eloquently told by the Congressional Record for the last IS years than can be told by any living man.
 MT. Underwood contributed as much O.. more than any man in the United States to the making of the approaching victory possible. The people know this. Then why should the Geographical situa- tion. of his home exclude him from the honor incident to his labors for his party :?
 If Underwood is nominated for the presidency he is as sure of election as that the sun will shine again.
 sThe people of this country are looking for men-honest men, brave men, brainey men, men of more accomplishments and less platforms, men who do things for the welfare of the nation as whole and they care nothing about the locality from whence he comes.
 .sThose who have recently attempted to discredit oscar W. Underwood will see before the second session of the Sixty second Congress has closed that he 10 the greatest leader of men, that he is the truest friend of the people and the greatest defender of dmocracy this couh- try has produced since the days of recon struction Mark my prediction. I know him l"