The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-01-25
SIMMONS FRIENDS FEEL UNDE ERWOOD
 WILL DEFEAT HIM
New York World Claims Ala bamian Favors Robinson, as Arkansas Man Will
 Aid His Aspirations
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD MasliingtOn. D. C.. Jan. 2i

or the 43 votes wh.c:l W.; be cast in the democratic cauc..s 70 3e called for the purpose of elec,ing minor ity leader as successor to Senator Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama 122, according fa :, poll just cosl- pleted. will favor Senator Joseph :. Robinson of Arkansas.
 It is apparent that these votes are of the nailed down" variety, and constitute minimum of those to be boiled for the Araknsas senator.
 Prospect of defeat has wrought certain bitterness in the camp of the followers of Senator F. M. Sim mons of North Carolina. This bit terness finds expression in what seem to be inspired newspaper stories appearing in the press of North Car olina and New York.
 The criticism is not directed st. Senator Robinson or his campaign manager, Senator Pat Harrison of Mississippi, but Senator Underwood.
 Say Underwood Seeks Presidency.
 The New York World prints on it's front page an article from Wash ington in which the prospective de- feat of Simmons is attributed to Un- derwood. It is said without attempt at explanation that Underwood will support Robinson because the Ala bamian has concluded to be a can didate for the presidential nomina- tion.
 It Is contended that Undcrwood's opposition to Simmons is due to the allegation that Simmons prevented Underwood securing as high a tariff rate. on the products of the Birming- ham district as Underwood desired, whereas it is known that Underwood put the products of the Birmingham district on the free list. Finally, it is said that whereas Underwood en- joyed the leadership in the tariff fight of 1912, and the senatorial lead ership since his entrance into the Senate, it was known that Simmons had furnished the brains.-
 Senator Underwood has declined to discuss any feature of the New York Worlds publication.
 Feels Injustice Done.
 There arc many members of the Senate who, while unable to support Simmons, feel sorry for him. He has not received the honors to which he felt himself entitled. While as re- suit of the tariff bill of 1912. Under woods name became household word. Simmons was seldom mem toned.
 Shortly after Underwood had be- d m l. rorlty leader, Senator Martin of Vir- einia, died. Instantly an Underwood boom was under way Senator Hitch cock of Nebraska was the other out standing candidate. Senator Sim mons, believing that he was entitled to the support of other southern dem ocrats, entered the list Between Un- derwood and Hitchcock, he was crushed out, and having retired. threw himself into the column sup porting the western rather than the southern democrat.
 When Underwood. some weeks ago. announced his intention of retiring from the leadership, Simmons became a candidate to succeed him. But other democrats did not conclude that 1t would be wisest to elect him unan- imously. A boom for Senator Robin son, younger man of more impress sive appearance, and a more vigorous man, was started. It had the sup of Senator Harrison of Mississippi and Senator Pittman of Nevada. senators who had been leaders in the fight out of which Underwood had come a vic tor.
 In the beginning of the struggle between Simmcns and Robinson, Un- derwood announced that he would not pledge himself to support either until it was demonstrated that no one of those who had supported him want ed the leadership. But Harrison and Putnam, and Dial and Harris, and Gerry and Walsh soon aligned them selves with either Simmons or Robin son. So that Underwood exercised his choice and pledged himself to 
 Senator Underwood has not been active in endeavoring to encomnass the defeat of Senator Simmons. but it is evident that the Simmons follow ing attribute to Underwood the pros pective downfall of their champion.
 There is no indication. however, that the pi esent bitterness in demo- era tic circles will be permanent. or that it will initiate against the party's legislative possibilities in an other SC ssicn of Congress.