New-York tribune., 1919-12-19
Underwood Charges I'm
fairness and Fights to
Postpone Senate Minor
ity Vote Tomorrow
Result May Affect
Status of Treaty
Reservationists Put Chief
Hope of Compromise in
Election Of Alabaman
Netr York Tribune
Wnshtr ptor Bureau

Na,r York Tribune
Wnshtr otor Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-The
Democratic members of the Senate
will meet in party caucus on Sat
urday to select a permanent leader
70 succeed the late Senator Thomas
s. Martin, of Virginia. Their action
is likely to have an important bear
ing upon the treaty situation in the
Senate.
Senator Gilbert NJ. Hitchcock, of
Nebraska, acting leader and candi-
date for election as permanent lead
er, issued the call for the caucus to-
iay, much to the CONSERVATION of
tie friends Of Senator Oscar W.
Underwood. Of Alabama. who is op-
posing Nh. Hitchcock for the place.
Hitchcock and Underwood each
claimed to have twenty four votes, a
majority OF the Democratic Sena-
t0rs, pledged to-day. and the pros
wcts are that a bitter fight will be
itaged in the caucus room.
There will be forty-siK votes avail
Die to be cast for the two candidates,
Ence Secretary of the Treas " Glass
aas not yet been sworn in as "a member
'' the Senate He was appointed re-
csstly by Governor Davis Of Virginia
% take the place Of the late Senator
Martin
Unfair. Say Underwood Men
The Underwood forces denounced the
Issuance OF the call for the caucus as
Unfair. They are preparing to make q
light at the conference 70 have the
actual bslloting postponed until after
the Christmas holidays
The Hitchcock followers appea red to
Be very confident that the Nebrasks
Senator would he elected by the eau
Gus They claimed 10 have twenty-foul
saaators signed up to vote for him. and
'i these twenty-three. or Just onehalt
o. the number Of votes that will be
ast' Will stand by the acting leader
hey declared. There are five or six
Nnators Who are classed as "doubtful
sy both sides.
The managers OF the Hitchcock cam.
9agn assert that all of the doubtful
ssnators must vote fer Underwood il
0rder TO bring about tie vote tha,
could rot be broken until Glass takes
as seat N the Senate after January l
ar. Glass has not indicated to any ont
Non, and neither Senator Underwood
aor Senator Hitchcock would claim hi:
'ose toAay.
Senator's Bankhead, Alabama; Narri-
son, Mississippi. and Pittman, Nevada
VINO are working actively in the inter
sss's Of Senator Underwoods S candidacy
oegan rounding up Senator'S to-day ir
eh effort 10 have the leadership vote
Postponed.
Hitchcock Offers to Pair
senator Hitchcock, or tho othe.
aand' Is anxious for an immediate
'o'e. He offered the Underwood fol
io"ers 10 pair the votes of the absent
Importers Of the two candidates. so
.aae every Democratic Senator could
Be recorded. WAN
u, me ne Republicans in the Senate are
49,. s''n'hg the contest with keen inter
an chey expect the result of the
aa.p asaaesship election TO be strongly re-
"eTisu Th IN the treaty situation.
W. Ie eiection Of Senator Hitchcock
-ae nepunlicans believe. would onlv in
~ Tyn'I.y me deadlock that now exists
~ -NepfasKa Senator has led tha 4 /
,raa ,~as.s 'fation forces throughout the
%va'y battle in the Senate, and has
SSns p,n nothing contrary to the wishes of
ffesident Wilson. " '''''N
me me Republicans who favor a COM
ssem!se ss said to-day that they could
pvs p;a expect Senator Hitchcock TO recop-
r.se n.ss even unofficially any agreement on
prov.g .s'iohs until the President ap-
OF d compromise.
tsa eIe'or Underwood, in the Senate
e".. "s i1St iew days, has advocated a
;tr :, o'a,se As leader OF the minor
~ 49,, she Republicans expect, he would
p proceed with efforts for a COMPROMISE M 1se
J.. j. 'ae Senate, and after the Senate
Tn,.Ia W. aS,ed send the treaty to the
t,sh n%.se House With the reservations at
t.ii .iiacividual Senator's have begun to
sstions, but no progress has been made
i. se'' Senator Lodge, Republican
,,.aef. informally discussed reserva-
- s1s With Senator Smith, Of Georgia,
~ ard Senator Kellogg, Of Minne-
~ ~ TALKED with other Democratic
r." regarding the treaty.
III, une Foreign Relations Committee
sn ..ast meet Saturday to take up the Knox
,sscIetion. One of the Knox measures
= Ss.o ratify the treaty unreservedly in
4 I. ~ Is IT creates a status Of peace.
~ the ether is q simple declaration
4eaee exiats between the Unite d
AnA HsrmAnN
sf