Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-06
Oscar W. Underwood, the True
Leader of the Democratic
Party


Oscar W. Underwood defending the right of Congress to
empt American coastwse vessels from tolls in the Panama
Canal the utterance of statesman brave enough to put
national advantage and party loyalty above advance
ment
further the expression conviction by keen student
of international trade well equipped speak auhoratvely
upon the subject But what compes admiration for the
statement the present the ndomitabe courage
it indicates
Mr. Underwood to-day candidate for the United States
Senate his home State of Alabama He ought not to be hav
ing serious contest of less courage would
hesitate make ringing upon question of national
policy which will enlist against him the tremendous power Of
the National Administration =
Mr. Underwood has hesitated at ALL He is deaf to
White House the question of canal tolls he
obduate the pleading Of the wool dealers when he rewrote
Schedule of the tariff.
President Wilson has fit to make of his demand-or
rather acquiescenc Britain demandfor the
peal of the law exemptng American ships from canal tolls
paramount He has established it the ouchstone of
party loyalty and daily to the White House Senators
and Representatives who hidden feay go away
in disfavor
Oscar Underwood summoned, but took oath His
to the Presidents command his article in The
American of Sunday
The Democratic platform declared uncertain words
I'VE favor exemption ships engaged
in eOast~se trade passing through the Panama Canal"
less emphasis month later the President
approved the plank calling for free tolls and went say
"our platform to
says the uterance
who intend along those lines and who
whether they catch with those promises
they determine whether them
"rhey people taking
in which they never before gentlemen
another going to be retired quiet and
private retreats"
the flies having been caught the Presidency this
brave defender of platform sincerity demands of Congressman
that they join in 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 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 this moment The sua-
ton cries for who will struggle to give the people what
they voted for what their representative Congress put
law and what encroaching Administration striving
annul.
1t Oscar Underwood who into the tariff bill the
clause granting reduction of per duties goods
ported American ships This measure of such vital impor-
lance to American shipping vigorously debated in the
House and Senate properly considered and discussed
in its every aspect Finally being adopted went with the
Act to the President and signed
Almost instantly the President through the Attorney
era ordered that clause of the law ignored thing
the tariff bill designed to encourage American industry
upbud the ngushng merchant the United States
annud by executive order from the White House.
To this hamsrngng of the law Mr.. Underwood emphat-
cay dissents His program has been all for the UPBULD-
ING of American industries He finds himself confronted by an
Administration which treats his efforts in this direction with
indifference, if not hostility.
His suggestion for reciprocal trade agreements for the up
building of American shipping by the granting of per
preferential duty goods imported in American bottoms
for free the Canal American coastwse ships
are all cardinal domestic doctrines
so FAR AS THE ADMINISTRATION is CONCERNED,
UNDERWOOD STANDS ALONE.
is for this that say that Mr. Underwood
and explicit statement Sundays American him the true
leader of the Democratic party He alone manuly keeps
faith and adheres to the creed laid down Baltimore
not ONE OF THOSE GENTLEMEN WHO TALK ONE WAY
IND VOTE ANOTHER" And above all he has shown that
ne has the brains for truly constructive craftsmanship the
courage to enforce the laws which he had making
To him must be credited the only effort made by the Democratic