The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-04-12
UNDERWOOD'S VIEW OF CAMPA|G ISSUES Thinks Tolls Attitude Had
 No Effect Whatever
 CLARKE'S ATTITUDE
Underwood Letter Used in Arkansas Campaign Just as Clarke Letter Was Used Among Ala
 bama Voters

Oscar w. Underwood prior to his re- turn to Washington, discussed the ques- ton of toll exemption insofar as it af- fected his campaign in Alabama, and the part played in that campaign by Senator James A. Clarke of Arkansas.
 In regard to the first, MT. Underwood holds that his position on the toll exemp- tion question in no wise affected his cam paign. His belief In this regard was a disappointment to numerous outside pa pers which oppose the position of Presi- dent Wilson. Concerning Senator Clarke MT. Underwood stated that he had been dragged into the Arkansas campaign, much against his will. The leader ex- pressed surprise in that Senator Clarke had assaied him at the behest of his or- ponents.
 Senator Clarke said MT. Underwood would have destroyed all cotton ex- changes-would have burned the barn in the hope of killing a rat. The majority of thinking people wanted to regulate the exchanges-so regulate that the evil might be eradicated Were there no ex- changes, the farmer would be at the mercy of the spinners
 iiie utiioCidtS III caucus prepared a substitute. It was given to me by the President. It was introduced by me and was known as the Underwood substi- tute.' It was carried through the house The Senate then withdrew from it's posi- tion in favor of the Clarke bill, and the entire proposition was lost
 The Scott Bill
 sfRepepfIy however tha Senafe ,,assad bill regulating cotton exchanges. With minor changes, it was my substitute made into the shape of bill.
 Naturally, l was surprised that Sen ator Clarke had charged me with trick cry He knew better. He knew that tle substitute was g democratic measure approved by the President l did not refute the charges. I knew that the peo- pie of Alabama would refute them for me. For the people of Alabama were certain to learn the facts. They were to learn that once upon time another bill-the Scott bill-was passed through the House carrying provisions for the regulation of cotton exchanges In the Senate, it was entrusted to Senator Clarke He report ed that bill few days before adjournment too few days before adjournment. It was lost
 lau no quarrel With Clarke. His :at- tacks on me in Arkansas caused his op- ponent, Judge Kirby, to write me for facts. l wrote him the facts. I simply told him what I have here said--that the Clark bill would have wiped out all cot ton exchanges and would have left tho farmer at the mercy of spinners I told him that my substitute provided regula- tion and correction without extermna- ton. I told him also that the substitute was a party measure and was handed to me by the President for introduction.
 Question of Tolls
 MT. Underwood was reluctant to dis cuss the toll exemption proposition.
 'I was asked to lead the fight for th" repeal of the tolls, he said. T told the President that I would not do so. The difference was an honest difference and there is no breach in the ranks.
 We stand ready to proceed with the democratic programme. When the time comes to move against the republican phalanxes in the interests of the people and against the trusts--the republican party in general-we will move without dissention. without disaffection in the ranks, and will destoy the opposition
 That the matter of toll exemption would prove an issue in the next presidential campaign, MT. Underwood did not admit or deny.