New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1920-04-24
Hitchcock Quits
Senate Minority
Leader Contest
Who Led Treaty.
Fight ON Floor, Announces
Withdrawal in Letter Call.
ing Democratic Caucus
Underwood To Be Named
Victory for Alabaman Re-
sarded as Defeat for the
Administration Croup

garded as Defeat for the
Administration Group
From The T'iHune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, April Ex-senator
Gilbert M. Hitchcock, Of Nebraska, to-
day withdrew as a candidate for mi
norlty leader in the Senate. His action
lnsures the unanimous election of SEN
ator Oscar W. Underwood, of Alabama.
at the caucus of Democratic Senators
Tuesday Senator Underwood is serv-
ing his first term in the Senate. Onlv
one other Senator, Kern, was ever
chosen leader during his first term in
the upper house.
Senator Hitchcock has been acting
Democratic leader for the last twelve
months. He assumed the leadership
duties at the beginning of the struggle
over the ratification Of the Versailles
treaty when the late Senator Thomas
s. Martin, Of Virginia, who was mi
nority leader at the time, became i'll.
Mr.. Hitchcock continued to act as lead
er after the death of Senator Martin.
The Nebraskan became candidate
for the leadership soon after Senator
Martins death, but strong opposition
developed among Democratic Senators
who advocated that the Senate act on
the treaty Independently of President
Wilson's wishes. They criticized Hitch
cocks leadership because he never act
ed in the treaty fight without first OBJ
tanning the approval of the President.
Senator Underwood entered the con-
test early in the winter and rallied to
his support Senator'S who favored ac-
ton on the treaty by the Senate with
out consulting the President at every
turn.
The leadership contest was dead
locked when party caucus was held
late in January. Senators Underwood
and Hitchcock receiving tie votes Sem
ator Smith, of Georgia, declined to
vote then, but since that time he has
joined the Underwood following.
Favors Independent Action
The election of Senator Underwood
as Democratic leader is regarded in the
Senate as q defeat of the group of
Administration Senators who sought
the Presidents advice on every ques-
ton. Senator Underwood is an ardent
advocate of the right of the Senate
to act independently Of the Chief Ex-
ecutive, and in discussing informally
to-day his plans for leading the Demo-
cr rs ho
wood said he favored the Senate acting
Independently Of the President regard
ing the peace resolution.
Peace cannot be established by
resolution voted upon by both houses
of Congress-" said Senator Underwood.
There is possibility, although it is
not a probability, that the President
will send the treaty back to the Senate
before we adjourn or recess for the
summer June 6: l will oppose the peace
resolution as it was sent over from
form that has been suggested. If
the treaty is not resubmitted, however,
it is probable the Senate will take
some steps toward having another
treaty negotiated, since the only way
peace can be established is through
treaty. We cannot have peace by
a one-sided contract. Both parties
nave 10 sign 1t.
Hitchcock's Letter Of Withdrawal
Senator Hitchcock announced his
withdrawal from the Democratic
leadership contest in letter to the
Democratic Senators calling the caucus
for<next Tuesday morning. The letter
read:
"For this honor and responsibility
have recently been candidate. and a
vigorous but good-natured contest be-
tween Senator Underwood and mvself
has resulted in deadlock.
IL now desire to terminate this
deadlock and hereby withdraw NV
name from the contest. This viii
conduce to Democratic harmony. and
viii accord with my individual plans,
which wlll not permit me during the
remainder Of the year to undertake
such continuous service in the Senate
as ] have had during the past twelve
months.
"rhe year during which / have ected
as Democratic leader has been one Of
responsibility and difficulty, but one
of pleasure also, because Of the con-
sidcration shown me by party COL
leagues, whether they agreed with me
or not.
i desire particularly 20 thans those
who have supported me in this contest
and to Say to all that shall be glad,
~ rcsuming my position as vice
chairman, to cooperate, as heretofore,
with the chosen leader