The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-05
A. c. R. in the Chattanooga Times.

A. c. R. in the Chattanooga Times
 TIT was the good fortune of the writer
 to have been much in contact re-
 q gently at the delightful mountain re- sort Linvlle, N. C., with notable na- tional figure, Oscar w. Underwood, sena- tor from Alabama, democratic leader In Congress and possible future President of the United States. MT. Underwood has just been designated by Governor Henderson to represent Alabama as her first citi- gen. at the Panama Pacific exposition. In national political prominence the Alabama senator is unquestionably also the first citizen of the south. No man from this section has in recent years made a strong CT impress in the councils of his party and of the nation. Had the country been ready to accept not merely southerner by birth but one hailing from southern
 state, had not political exigencies di- rected. as of old the selection of man from the other side of -the old sectional line. Oscar Underwood might have been in the White House today.
 When, one rubs allows with distin- guished personages, it is found, natural ly, that they are just human beings after all, especially if they are of MT. Under woods type, not obtrusive in the ex- pression of views not blatant nor conver- sationally aggressive. Yet one cannot fail to be impressed with Mr. Underworld s latent force, his knowledge of varied sub- jects, his breadth of view and with his qualities for leadership. There is noth- .- %b la hov for q make up barring ability of different and perhaps superior nature. He has proved in debate and in the warfare of politics that he can fight and fight well. He is aggressive enough when need be- but MT. Underwood in social intercourse and at rest is merely the quiet, dignifed yet af- fable gentleman. In manner and accent he is distinctivey. typically southern. He is a big man physically as we'll as mentally. Mr. Underwood is statesman and he looks the part.
 Tn view of his successful work for tariff reform, advocates of high protection may not agree that MT. Underwood is a thor ough conservative, but nevertheless l would designate him as such. My im- pression from many little talks with him was that there is nothing radical about the Alabama senator but his American lism. If he were elevated to the presi- dency we would have strong, level | headed executive. thoroughly safe and
 sane. On the two questions that may
 soon press strongly upon Congress-wom-
 an suffrage and prohibition-he believes l that the states. not the national legisla-
 tive body. should settle them.
 In our critical foreign relations, MT Underwood is also conservative. If he were President now, or should be at any time in the future, the country would | into war unless war were necessary to protect American rights and conserve oul national honor and integrity. This does not mean that he is . peace-at-any-price man. He Is not at all grape-juicy or
 Bryanesqus. Indeed. judging from little | remarks. he has not the slightest affec- ton for MT. Bryan or the least respect
 for tho latter's theories. But MT. Under.
 wood abhors war. Practical man that ht is, he thinks of the terrible cost in blood and treasure. If Congress were called to-
 gether tomorrow to consider course oi action toward, say Germany, his voice would be against war if 1t could possibly
 be avoided with honor. Fire is not in thu dietary of the Alabama senator.
 ] On the question of the national defense
 and increased armaments. MT. Underwood 1 is again conservative. He believes in [ larger measure of prepardedness. but fl
 opposed to gigantic expenditures for thu navy and to an immense army In thu first place. he does not believe that grea' : armaments are necessary. In his opint