Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-12-31
FIGHT To CHOOSE
MINORITY LEADER
IN SENATE WARM

Washington. Dee. 30.-Wiil Sena-
tor Hitchcock of Nebraska or Senator
Underwood Of Alabama he elected the
democratic leader at the caucus to be
held on January Is?
This vital question is agitating DEM
ocratic politicians In and out of the
senate. The fight is close. and ii rs
being conducted by the friends OF
both candidates with an intensity of
skill that has never been eauallod.
II will take twenty-four votes in
the democratic caucus to elect the
leader. Hitchcock's campaign man
ayers assert hat few senators have
voluntarily ACGasJ O4h f1 Underwood,
Hltchcock's managers contend that
a failure to elect him would be a re-
pudiation of his leadership in the
treaty fight while Underwood's sup
porters urge that the treaty fight is
over and that 1t will finally be out
Of the way early in January. either
through compromise or indefinite
postponement II is urged and with
out much contradiction, that Hitch
cock has displayed SPLENDID qualities
as Il floor leader in his conduct of the
treaty debate
1t is admitted on the other hand
that Underwood has been equally
bold and .skillful, in sustaining the
position of the administration. Hitch
cock is recognized as a clear and
forcefu debater. but on the other
hand Underwood. as the dempcratic
majority leader in the house in tho
sixty-third congress. proved himself a
superb leader. Hitchcock wins the
friendship of his colleagues: Under
wood possesses the faculty of stimu-
lattng cooperation in the ranks and
of maintaining party solidarity
Hitchcock is brilliant and independ-
ent; Underwood Is analytical sound
and true to form.
Hitchcock is an individualist I'm
derWood is an organizationist. Hitch
cock has sometimes been off the res
ervation; Underwood is always regu
lar.
Hitchcock is sometimes way in ad-
vance of his troops and at other times
far to the rear: Underwood is always
with his soldiers, Hitchcock under
stands every phase of the treaty fight.
Underwood is more familiar with the
questions affecting labor, transporta-
ton, taxation, internal development
and other American problems.
Hitchcock was reared In the middleI
west, while Underwood had his early
training IN Minnesota.
Both men have been friendly to the
west. Underwood's managers call at
tention to the fact that it was Under
woods vote in the committee on lrrl-
CATION of arid lands, and his single
vote. that reported out the NeWlands
irrigation act that has done so much
for the development of the west. They
refer to the determinatiYe fight made
by Underwood in support of the bill
upon the floor of the house. Under
wood is a national character
There is little advantage as far as
the womens support is concerned.
Both candidates voted against the con-
amendment for woman
suffrage; but Underwood's supporters
contend that his state was against
woman suffrage. and issued its man
date that he, as its representative vote
against woman suffrage while Hitch
cocks state was for woman suffrage
and it's legislature petiuoned him toI
vote for the constitutional amend
ment.
Both senators favor the settlement
Of the Mexican question through 2
or some other medium OF
he league of nations. Hitchcock is |
against intervention |
denounees the conditions
IN Mexico as intolerable and is more |
n sympathy apparently, with the
light that is being led by the Arizona |
and New Mexico senators for the |
of Mexico.
Hitcheock's managers contend that
he democrats owe a debt of graft |
.ude to Hitchcock: Underwood's sup |
,orters claim that he Is the man TO |
BRING back democratic control of the |
senate and the house, and that this
is, above all, matters of
PERSONAL friendship.
1t is these comparisons and these |
arguments that are being presented
~ the respective supporters of each
If the three great candidates.
Both men are brilliant. capable and |
oyal The fight will be spectacular,
md no one can safely predict the out
,ome.