The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-14
HARD FIGHT FOR
 NEXT DEMOCRATIC
 LEADER EXPECTED
(Continued From Page one)


 antee his election. But friends of Senator Hitchcock suggested that as he was then leading the fight for the League of Nations. he should acquire .he leadership. The entrance of Hitchcock caused various senators to release themselves from pledges pre- viously made to Underwood
 How South Voted
 When the democrats gathered in caucus, Underwood had a clear cut majority of two provided Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia supported him. Senator Glass, then secretary of the treasury, was to vote for Un- derwood. All senator's had all ways participated in caucauses to de- termine their leaders in sessions in which they would sit But someone suggested that Glass should not vote Underwood immediately eliminated Glass from his column. He declared that he would not have the position if there was any question relative to any method of procedure. The cleo ton then depended on Smith of Geor- gia.
 Tn the roll call the south was split atwain Supporting Underwood were Glass of Virginia (who did not vote), Dial and Smith of South Carolina (the latter having selected the Alabamian after long delay). Fletcher of Flor ida, Harris of Georgia, Bankhead of Alabama, Harrison and Williams of Mississippi. Shields and Mcclellan of Tennessee. But Hitchcock secured the support of Swanson of Virginia, Simmons and Overman of North Caro- lima. Trammell of Florida, Robinson of Arkansas and Culberson and Shep- bard of Texas Louisiana senators supported Underwood.
 Smiths Queer Conduct
 Underwood carried the east with Gerry of Rhode Island, Walsh of Massachusetts and wolcott of Della ware. and had strength in the west by tho votes of Reed of Missouri, Pittman of Nevada, Jones of New Mexico and Johnson of North Da- kota. There were certain elderly senators. especially from the south who hesitated to support Underwood because he had just come to the Sem ate. No other man had been elected leader in his first term save Kerns of Indiana, and he had come with the prestige of a vice presidential can cidate.
 After the first roll call. the clerk announced a tie. After the second roll call. the clerk announced a tie Smith of Georgia had not voted Bankhead of Alabama, managing Un- d-rwood's fight, urged him to sup pert the resident of the state lying next Georgia. But he shook his head. McKellar of Tennessee asked Smith if he would object were the caucus to ask him formally to vote. Smith is said to have answered in the af- firmative. There he sat with the de- c.ding ballot in his hand but with apparent inability to cast it. Ad- journment was ordered. It was sev- eral months later when the demo- crats caucused again.
 Dry League Helped
 It Is not generally known, but the anti-saloon league. which had never been friendly to Underwood, indi- rcctly brought about his election. There had been discussion relative to the enforcement of prohibition. Un- derwood never a prohibitionist, took the ground that as prohibition was law, it should be respected. The at titude of Hitchcock was not so di- rect, in the opinion of the league. At any rate, the league denounced Hitch- cock. Sheppard of Texas. author of the prohibition amendment, found it impossible longer to support Hitch cock. The lines were tautly drawn. and Smith had given no indication as to how he would vote in the second caucus. So the defection of Shep- pard doomed Hitchcock. He retired from the race, and the election was a hippodrome.
 In the second caucus. when every body was unanimous, a telegram from Smith of Georgia was read. He authorized one of the senators to cast his vote for Underwood. There was laughter.