Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-05
Oscar w. Underwood, the True
Leader of the Democratic
Party

Underwood defending the right of Congress to
empt American coaswse from tolls in the Panama
Canal the of statesman brave enough to put
advantage party loyalty above personal advance
further the expression of conviction by keen student
of international trade well equipped speak authotatvey
upon the subject But what most compels admiration for the
statement present the indomable
it indicates.
Mr. Underwood is to-day candidate for the United States
Senate Alabama He ought not to be hav
ing contest but he is of less would
hesitate make ringing upon question of national
policy which against him the tremendous power of
the National Administration.
Mr. Underwood has hestated all. He is deaf to
White the question of canal tolls he
obdurae the pleading of the wool dealers when he rewroe
Schedule of the tariff.
President Wilson fit make of his demand-or
acquescence in Great Brans demandfor the
peal exempng American ships from canal tolls
paramount He has established the touchstone of
party loyalty and daily to the White House Senators
Representatives who hidden feay away
in disfavor.
Oscar Underwood summoned but took OATH His
answer to Presidents command his article in The
American of Sunday.
The Democratic platform declared in uncertain words:
I'VE favor the exemption from tolls of American ships engaged
passing through the Panama Canal"
words emphasis month later President
approved the plank calling for free tolls and went on to
"our platform
says utterance of
business those lines and who
waiting they promises
they whether them
They know the American people taking way
they before, gentlemen
another going be retired quiet and
private retreats"
But the flies having been caught Presidency wOn
defender platform sincerity demands of Congressman
that they join the reputation of the platform plank
suffer Presidential displeasure.
OSCAR UNDERWOOD FOR ONE, CHOOSES THE LAT
TER ALTERNATIVE, AND IN so DOING ESTABLISHES
HIMSELF AT A STROKE AS THE LEADER OF HIS PARTY
THE FOREMOST DEMOCRAT WITH COURAGE ENOUGH
TO MAINTAIN LITERALLY THE PROMISES OF HIS PARTY
PLATFORM
There is need for Underwood at this moment The situa-
ton for who will struggle to give the people what
they voted for what their representative Congress put
law and what encroachmg Administration is striving to
annul.
1t was Oscar Underwood who wrote into the tariff bill the
clause granting reduction of per duties goods i'm
ported in American ships This of such vital impor
American shipping vigorously debated in the
House and Senate 1t properly considered and discussed
in its every aspect Finally being adopted it with the
Act to the President and signed.
Almost instantly the President through the Attorney
era ordered that clause of the law ignored The thing
the tariff bill designed encourage American industry
upbud the nguishng merchant of the United States
was annuleu executive order the White House
To this hamsrngng of the law Mr.. Underwood emphai-
cay dssents His program has been all for the UPBUILD
ING of American industries He finds himself confronted
Administration which his this direction with
indifference if not hostility.
His suggestion for reciprocal trade agreements up
building of American shipping by the granting of per
preferential duty goods imported American bottoms
for free of the Canal by American coaswse ships
all cardinal domestic doctrines.
so FAR AS THE ADMINISTRATION is CONCERNED
UNDERWOOD STANDS ALONE.
for this that say that Mr. Underwood firm
and explicit Sunday American makes him the true
leader of the Democratic party He alone manfuy keeps
faith and adher the creed laid at Baltimore He is
not ONE OF THOSE GENTLEMEN WHO TALK ONE WAY
AND VOTE ANOTHER And above all he has shown that
he has the brains for truly constructive craftsmanship and the
to enforce the laws which he has had making
To him must be credited the only effort made Democratic
party attained complete power American trade