The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-10-11
WILSON STARTS
AFTER TRUSTS
Asks Clayton to Remain
in House to Direct
Legislation.
Ol'T OF SENATE RACE
Antitrust Measure Being
Drafted in judiciary
Committee.
OFT OF SENATE RACE
BILL AT NEXT SESSION
CnderwOOd'S Election as Sen
atOr From Alabama
Seems Certain.

WASHINGTON. Oct. l0-President Wilson
has again demonstrated that ne wields
great influence as a party leader.
Announcement was made to-day that as
result Of the good offices Of the Presi-
dent Representative Henry d. Clayton of
Alabama has decided to withdraw from
the race for the United States Senator
ship from that State to clear the way for
tative Oscar w Underwood. the Demo.
cratic House leader.
Mr.. Clayton was persuaded to retire
from the Senatorial contest on the plea
OF the President that his services in the
House were required in antitrust legisla-
ton that will be submitted to Congress at
the December session.
In a letter to Mr. Clayton the Presi-
dent said that the chief responsibilities
OF the next session lie with the Committee
on the Judiciary. Of which you are chair
man
The Committee on the Judiciary has
jurisdiction over bills proposing laws reg
ulatirg the operations Of interstate cor
porations. The President thus for the
frs, time gives formal notice that h" j.
to enter upon a revision of the antitrust
and other laws regulating corporations at
the December session OF Congress.
Indicates Cnderwood's Victory.
The opinion is quite general here that
the retirement Of Judge Clayton from
the Senatorial race foreshadows the elec.
tion OF MIR. Underwood to the upper house.
His only opponent will he Representative
Richmond =. Hobson.
As Mr.. Underwood will have the sup
port Of the Administration his success Is
regarded as certain. The primaries fol
the Alabama Scnatorship are not to he
hcld until next summer.
The Presidents letter to Judge claA ton
reads as follows:
October IL. 1918
MY DEAR Mn CLAYTON. am great
deal concerned at the thought of losing
YOU from the working force OF the House
OF Representatives. As the chief direc-
ton Of affairs In the present session has
lain with the Committee on Ways and
Means and the Committee on Banking and
Currency ] foresee that the chief respon-
sibilties Of the next session will lie with
the Committee on the judiciary. OF which
you are chairman,
Il was looking forward with great sat
isfaction to working with you and having
your experienced counsel and assistance
In the work that Is before us, II seems
to me indeed indispensable In the carry
80 rt,.'s
Il do not deem myself at liberty to sug
ges, to you anything that would interfere
with your own personal plans. and ! feel
rather selfish In saying what am say
ing, but l considered it a matter Of mere
public duty on my par, to say how ear
nestly had desired that | might hav.
your aid and counsel as chairman OF the
judiciary Committee during the next ses-
sion and the next Congress. for our work
cannot 3c finished in IA single session.
III |. accomplish no more by this than
giving myself the pleasure OF letting you
know my personal estimate Of YOU, l shall
at any rate have discharged my con-
science In the matter and said what was
really In my mind and heart. II dared
I would beg you to remain In the House,
Cordially and sincerely yours,
"WoopRow WILSON
Hon. Henry d. Clayton, House OF Repre-
sentatlves."
Mr. Clayton's CompIia nee.
Mr. Clayton promptly complied with
the suggestion OF the President lie said :
"Recognizing the President as the head
OF the party | do not see how I can re-
fuse to accede to his expressed wishes
will. however make a formal reply to
the Presidents letter In a day or two"
President Wilson's letter 10 Mr.. Clay
ton excited much comment among pollti-
cal leaders. With the exception Of his
participation In the New Jersey primaries
this Is the first time that the President
has ''interfered" In a political contest in
any OF the States
While his letter to MIR, Clayton is
phrased In diplomatic language 1t never
thcless carries Il strong intima tion that
the President greatly desired to open the
way for Mr.. Underwoods election to the
Senate.
1t has been known for some days that
the Administration felt a sympathetic in
terest in the Senatorial candidacy of Mr..
refrained from expressing himself pub
licly on the subject.
Despite this Alabapa Democrats will
know soon. " the news has not already
been communicated to them. that the
President hopes that Mr. Underwood will
be named as a Senator from that State.
or wider Significance than its effect
on the Alabama situation is the state.
ment Of the President that antitrust
legislation will be featured In the De-
celnber session OF Congress.
II has been known Of course that the
President would discuss this question In
his annual message and that Congress
would Immediately address itself to leg
islation In amendment Of the antitrust
fo"''"sed Q" Second Page.