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

empt American coastwise vessels from tolls in the Panama
Canal the uteranc of statesman brave enough to put
national advantage and party loyalty above personal advance
ment.
further expression of conviction by keen student
international we'll equipped speak auhorativey
upon subject what most compes admiration for the
statement at present the ndomitabe courage
it indicates
Mr. Underwood to-day candidate for the United States
his home State of Alabama He ought not to be hav
ing serious contest of less courage would
hesitate ringing upon question of national
policy which enlist against him the tremendous of
the National Administration.
Underwood has hesitated not at all He deaf to
White House coercion question canal tolls he
obdurate the pleading of the wool dealers when he rewrote
Schedule of the tariff
President Wilson fit make of his demand-or
rather his acquescence in Great Brtans demandor the
peal the law exempting American ships from canal tolls
paramount He has established it the touchstone of
party loyalty and daily to the White House Senators
and Representatives who hidden to feay away
in disfavor
Oscar Underwood summoned but took oath. His
answer to the Presidents command his article in The
American of Sunday.
The Democratic platform declared in uncertain words
1--WE favor the exemption from tolls of ships engaged
in coastwse trade passing through the Panama Canal"
In words of no emphasis later President
approved the plank calling for free tolls and went say
"ou platform to
says
who intend do business along those lines and who not
waiting to they promises
determine whether they going to act them
"rhy people taking way
notice before gentlemen who talk
another going be retired to quiet and
private retreats"
But the flies having been caught the Presidency this
defender of platform sincerity demands of Congressman
that they join in the reputation of the platform plank or
suffer Presidential dispeasure.
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 need for Underwood this The stua-
ton cries for who will struggle to give the people what
they voted for what their representative Congress put
law and what encroaohng Administration is striving
annul
1t Oscar Underwood who into the tariff bill the
clause granting reduction of per in duties goods
ported American ships This of such vital mpor
lance to American shipping vigorously debated in the
House and Senate properly considered and discussed
in its every aspect Finally being adopted it went with the
Act to the President and signed.
Almost instantly the President through the Attorney Gen
er ordered that clause of the law ignored The thing in
the tariff bill designed encourage American industry
upbud the angushng merchant marine of the United States
annuled by executive order from the White House
To this hamstringng of the law Mr. Underwood emphat
caly dssents His program has been all for the UPBUILD
ING of American industries He finds himself confronted by
Administration which his direction with
indifference if not hostility
His suggestion for reciprocal trade agreements for the up
building American shipping by the granting of per
preferential duty goods imported in American bottoms and
for free of the Panama by coaswise ships
all cardinal domestic doctrines.
so FAR AS THE ADMINISTRATION is CONCERNED
UNDERWOOD STANDS ALONE.
1t for this that say that Mr. Underwood
and explicit statement Sundays American makes him
leader of the Democratic party He alone manfuy keeps
faith and adhees the creed laid 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 craftsmanship and the
courage enforce the laws which had hand in making
To him must be credited the only effort by Democratic
party since attained complete power American trade
to bnil nm uer