Evening journal., 1921-03-09
DEMOCRATSA ARE
FOR FAIR PLAY
I'VE Are Not Bushwhack-
ers," Says Underwood in
Outlining Program
WILL KEEP UP
FIGHT FOR LEAGUE

WASHINGTON, d, c., March a.
1--WE are not bushwhackers," said
Senator Oscar W. Underwood. OF
Alabama, referring 60 the attitude
of the minority party IN Congress.
1t is not our intention to hector
or to obstruct for mero partisan ad-
vantage. There is real obvious need
OF constructive legislation The prob
lens that must be solved to restore
prosperity and 10 stabilize conditions
are so great that they call upon all
Americans for patriotic service.
"fho Republican majority must
take the lead in and responsibility
for reconstruction. and wherever
and whenever we believe they are
right--and our point Of view will not
be narrow, partisan one-we will
cooperate and help"
Coming from the man who Is the
rallying figure today IN washington
OF the beaten forces OF the Democ-
racy, that promise OF fair play and
unbiased action in Senate and
House is especially interesting. Sem
ator Underwood looms larger than
ever as the intelligent and far see
ing leader OF the opposition party,
and without any question the policy
he outlined will be the one 70 which
he VIII seek TO hold his followers.
Not only Senator Underwood, as
the legislative leader, but other i'm
portant figures OF the Democracy
appear to have reached agreement
on policy OF non-obstruction. When
ex-Gov. James NJ. Cox was here
some weeks ago and had conferences
with many leaders he advised that
the party attitude should be to give
the Republican majority n free hand
give 1t real chance to deliver the
goods George White, chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee,
gave similar advice. The followers
of William G. McAdoo took the same
course.
Let's keep hands OF and give
them their opportunity" was the
agreement arrived at by leaders Of
all factions in the Democratic party.
The extremely interesting news
has been obtained that ex-President
Wilson feels the same way about the
course 20 be taken by the minority.
with one exception. that being the
League Of Nations; One whose IA
miliarity with the ex-Presidents po-
sition cannot be challenged. said:
Mr.. Wilson wants to live here so
that he can keep in touch with the
leaders OF his party. IL is not his de-
sire tha 1.-THE minority in Congress
should play the part OF faultfinder
and troublemaker. He HOLDS that
the Republican party has been COM
missioncd by the people to produce
legislation thar viii solve pressing
problems and that II is the duty OF
the Democratic party to keep hands
on
zone issue alone Mr.. Wilson will
not abandon in the slightest degree.
That Is the League OF Nations. From
time TO time he expects to issue
statements reiterating his faith in
the league covenant and in the
treaty Of Versailles. and he will do
all that seems wise to advance its
cause. He declines TO believe that
the league is dead, and confidently
expects the nation to reverse it's YER
Dict"
When Senator Underwood was
asked today what course had been
decided upon by the minority in
Congress as regards the numerous
legislative propositions that will be
submitted. many OF which were out
lined in President Harding's inau-
gural speech, he replied:
"ln so far as I can speak for my
colleagues. ] can promise that In
nei.her branch Of Congress will the
minority seek TO play politics. II
VIII not be our policy TO sit By and
snarl business. Everybody know,
there are great evils to be corrected
There is reconstruction to be ac.
complished. Work must be don,
and soon for which the whole coun.
try IS waiting. It would be poor pa.
triotism to attempt TO interfere Will
this reconstruction just TO try te
make party record for future use
Naturally we intend to keep the
party record straight, and that Il
something very far from outright oh.
struction. on the question OF tn,
tariff we shall declare ourselves ir
accordance with the traditiona
principles OF the Democracy. II ma,
DO that when we come to revise tax
alton the minority will have to TAX,
a stand for principles sake. on tn,
question OF foreign relations. we GER
tainly viii not stultify ourselves b,
repudiating what the party hal
stood for in recent times"