The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-12-07
UNDERWOOD TO
BECOME LEADER
Every Indication Points to Elec-
tion of Alabaman to Sue
ceed Martin of Virginia.
is POSITION OF POWER
HitchcOck's Friends Have Not
Given Up Fight But Appear
Less Confident of Victory
(By GEORGE II. MANNINe.)

(By GEORGE n. MANNlNo0
Washington, D. c., Dec. 6.-Every
indication points to the election or
Senator Oscar w. Underwood, of Ala
bama, to be Democratic floor. leader
of the senate to succeed the late
Thomas s. Martin, of Virginia.
The contest is between Senator I'm
derwood and Senator Gilbert M
Hitchcock, of Nebraska, ranking MEM
Der of the foreign relations commit
tee, who has been leading the presi-
dents fight for ratification of the
peace treaty. Though names of other
senators are mentioned for the place
it is only in a complimentary sort. of
way, and the real fight is between
the Nebra Skan and the Alabaman.
Senator Underwood's friends were
very busy campaigning for him
during the short senate recess and
now have the pledges OF more than a
majority of the Democratic senator's
/ to support Underwood. They appear
quite confident of victory.
The Hitchcock supporters are still
W working hard, however, and have not
given up the fight They do not ap-
pear so confident as the Underwood
men.
Democrats viii be chosen at a caucus
| of the members to be held in perhaps
| a week or ten days
The senate floor leadership carries
with it great prestige and response
/ bility. If held by strong man il
becomes one of the most influential
places in the governmental machinery.
| Ordinarily the steering committee
/ OF the senate Democrats would first
go over the situation and perhaps
make recommendation to the caucus
that would have considerable weight,
but that is out of the question in this
instance, because both Senators
Hitchcock and Underwood are mem
bers of the steering committee and
| it would be extremely embarrassing
. to either to have the matter brought
iup in committee.
! Only the absence of several Demo-
cratic senators from the west pre-
vents the holding of the caucus at
orce for the choosing OF the new floor
/ leader. If the caucus was held now
there would be no doubt of Under
woods election. All the southern
democrats are on hand and lined up
for Underwood. The Hitchcock forces
Iexpect to have the backing of almost
all, if not the solid strength of the
western Democrats.
i Senator Underwood and his friends
lido not wish, however to take advan-
tage of the absence of the westerners.
! who will. for the most part line up
for Hitchcock. but prefer waiting un-
til next week or the week following,
when almost all the Democrats are
i expected to be on hand and a full and
fair vote can be obtained.
| President Wilson VIII fol.o M NJ -
in the contest. He Is on the most
friendly terms with both Hitchcock
and Underwood, and believes either
Will make efficient leader Despite
the numerous reports of disaffection
. between President Wilson and Sena-
tor Hitchcock, it can be stated with
, authority that the closest friendship
exists between them and that the
, President holds a deep admiration and
. gratitude for Senator Hitchcock for
the courageous fight the Nebraskan
made in the senate for ratification of
: the treaty in way desired by the
? president.
Efforts of some opponents of the
l treaty to make it appear that there is
: bad feeling between the president and
Hitchcock have failed to impress peo-
} pie in Washington acquainted with
2 the situation.
Much Of the support of Senator
Underwood for the leadership by sen
ators outside the solid south, comes
,, from their recognition of his sterIins
Qualities of leadership, his keen po1iti.
cal foresight, ability to Judge characte,
! ana Iead men. pronounced ability as .
pariiamentarian, and vast knowfede.
OF the workings OF the federal depart
+ ments. and the senate and house
81 AS chairman of the ways and moan,
: COMMITTEES and floor leader for III.
| Democrats in the house from 1919 !,
e 1917, Senator Underwood made mos
4 enviable record for getting tbing,
1 done expeditiously, as his party wantet
: them done. and with an entire ahsepc,
: OF friction either in his parfv =,
: among the Republicans
: If Senator Underwood is electe,
~ llDemocratic floor leader. as he mos
: : certainly will be. he will have accom-
plished most unusual thing