San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-20
UNDERWOOD
WILL SEEK
nomination
Friends Have Been Advised
That He Will Announce
Candidacy.
NOW TOURING EUROPE
Sectional Issue an Obstacle
to Presidential As
pirations.
NOW TOURING EUROPE

Washington, ID. C., March 90
Friends of Senator Oscar W. Under
wood of Alabama, now touring IN
Europe, are advised that upon his
return he will announce his candi-
s3sas..for the Democratic presidential
nomination and they are preparing TO
give him an enthusiastic welcome.
Some months ago the Alabama leg
islature memoralized Senator Under
wood, urging him to become a candi-
date for the Presidential nomination.
He then replied that he intended to
visit Europe and would give the sug-
gestion serious consideration, resery-
ing his reply until his return.
Senator Underwood plans to return
in June and the Alabama legislature
wilt je in session at that time. 1t
is sad that he expects to go direct
Iy to Montgomery and, as be I'M
doubtedly will be asked 70 address
that body, will give his answer in
person and in a speech which is ex-
pected to crystalize the issues from
the Democratic standpoint.
Size Up Situation.
It Is forecasted here by men on the
most intimate terms with Senator
+ Underwood that he will then an
nounce his candidacy, and in anticipa-
ton Of this it is understood that
trusted ieutenants are now sizing up
the situation in the various states.
They plan to have Senator Under
woods name presented to the voters
in all states having Presidential pri-
maries and believe he will enter the
convention with substantial number
of delegates, not only from the South
ern States but from the North and
East as well.
Students of politics in Washington
generally are agreed that but for the
sectional issue, Senator Underwood
would now be the outstanding candi-
date for the Democratic nomination.
No more eloquent testimonial to his
ability could be made than the recog-
milton accorded him by his party in
Congress, where he has served for
26 years, -.
When his party gained control Of
1.-THE House in 1910 he became chair
man of the Ways and Means Com
mittee and Democratic floor leader.
putting through the tariff bill which
bore his name. He was elected to the
Senate in 1914 aud four years later
esesosen party leader there. an
unprecedented honor for man serv-
ling his first term in that body.
Quit As Minority Leader.
Senator Underwood recently an
bounced his retirement as minority
eader of the Senate and while this
was sscribed to his health, there are
men close to the distinguished Ala
oaman who say that was the excuse,
not the reason. They claim that he
was merely suffering with the after
Effects of an attack of influenza and
hat by midsummer be should have
Fully recovered
ority nor minority leadership in the
hext Senate will be bed of roses
md while this alone would not have
prompted Senator Underwood to sur
lender the honor his doing so indi-
,ates Presidential aspirations and a
iesire to be free so as to devote time
o the campaign.
While the bulk of Senator Under
woods pre-convention strength is ex-
pected to come from the Southeastern
tates, his friends believe he will win
he delegates from a number of other
ommonwealths which will not be
represented by favorite sons.
1t is as compromise. however. that
hey expect him to win the nomina-
ion, which in the Democratic con-
Fention requires two-thirds vote
hey urge that with the friends of
IcAdoo, Smith and Cox, that Under
Eood easily would be the second
hoice.
1t is admitted that William J.
Bryan probably would fight against
he nomination of Underwood as the
enator from Alabama was recogniz-
d SWEET" and opposed adoption of the
Eighteenth. Amendment, although he
oted for the Volstead act. The
hief obstacle. however. is expected
be sectional as there has been no
democratic Presidential candidate
rom south of Mason and Dixon's
ss-sts~ the Civil War.