The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-09-22

thought of Underwood, and so Un- derwood was hundred-to- shot
 In many ways President Harding and Senator Underwood are alike Both are quiet spoken and both are at their best around the conference table. They are both men who make friends and know how to hold them, both are modest to degree, both detest sham and hypocrisy. On plays golf and the other does not both know all about baseball and both are American to the core.
 The fact that President Harding is golf enthusiast while Senator Un- derwood has never caught the golf fever is the basis of a little White House story.
 Some weeks ago there came to Washington a committee of Birming ham citizens. Their mission was tc invite the President to visit the "Pittsburg of the south," this fall an invitation that it is understood the President has accepted.
 Senator Underwood made the intro auctions. All of the members of the Birmingham delegation were Sena- tor Underwood's personal friends. These friends were quick to note the fact that the President addressed d Senator Underwood as oscar. At that time, as a result of a long and arduous tour of duty as leader of the minority in the Senate, a job that makes exercise a problem and not a pleasure, Senator Underwood had taken on considerable flesh.
 oscar said the President, so the story goes, you are getting just a little too stout. Why don't you take up golf. I will be your instructor"
 Maybe I will" replied the leader of the democrats, but to date, so far as the unofficial records disclose, Senator Underwood has not purchased his golf sticks.
 An Inauguration Incident
 Persons who witnessed the inau- guration of Calvin Coolidge as vice president may recall an incident that followed the taking of the oath by Mir. Coolidge. MT. Harding at that time was still about 50 minutes re- moved from the Presidency.
 As is the custom with incoming Presidents elect Mir Harding was seated in front of the presidents desk The new and the reelected senators were being sworn in. The alphabetical order was followed, and some thirty odd senators had sub scribed to the oath to support the constitution before the name of MT Underwood was called.
 As senator after senator passed him on their return to their seats the President nodded graciously to eacn one, but when Underwood started back the President arose from his seat, and stepping forward two or three paces, grasped Mir. Underwood $ hand. Every person in the crowded galleries witnessed the act, for all eyes were on the President -elect and noted the warmth Of the greeting What passed during the few seconds that Harding and Underwood were in conversation none knew, but they all did know that 1t was the tribute of the new President to an old friend.
 It was Senator Underwood who di- rected the fight against the soldiers bonus bill few weeks ago. All the signs pointed to the passage of the bill by an overwhelming majority of senators on other sides of the cham Der. Almost without support from either the republican or the demo- cratic side Senator Underwood had argued against the passage of the measure the enactment of which would probably have added s5,OO0,- 900, 900 to the tax burden of the American people.
 A few hours before Senator Frel- read into the record the letter from Secretary of the Treas ury Mellon, in which MT. Mellon em- phasized the almost insurmountable burden that would be placed upor the treasury if the bill were passed. the writer was talking with Senator Underwood.
 Senator Underwood. as is the case always, was gracious and in pleas ant humor.
 Have you heard that an admin istration letter is coming to the Sen ate to urge the deferment of this bonus legislation" the writer asked Senator Underwood.
 That's good news" replied MT Underwood. as if he knew nothing