The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-10
DEFEAT IS LAID TO KHAN PLANK
 OF UNDERWOOD
Could Have Won On Re ligious Freedom Stand,
 Says Kilby
(staff Correspondentl

gation think Senator Oscar W. Under wood blundered in strategy when he insisted that the Ku Klux Klan be denounced by name in the democratiN platform.
 Gov. Thomas E. Kilby who gave Ala bama's candidate loyal support, de- clared tonight that he believed that had Underwood not carried the fight so far against the klan, ! ad he been content with establishing the principle of free down of religious worship. he would have been nominated.
 Forney Johnston, regarded as the spokesman of the senator, in the first meeting of the delegation, declared it t obe the determination of the senator to the name the kfan in a platform plank if he could do so. Senator Un- derwood, later, made public a plank which he said he would offer to the platform committee. It mentioned the klan.
 Homeward Bound
 The delegation is en route home. At this time, it could serve no pur- pose to withhold the fact that there has been divergence of opinion in the delegation as to the course to be fol- lowed to best serve the Underwood cause. But in. the end, convinctions were yielded in every particular, for the sake of the Underwood candidacy and this was done so unanimously. In recogni- tion of this fact, Senator Underwood declared to the staff correspondent of The Age-Herald that the Alabama dele gation had proven more faithful than any other delegation which played a part in the convention.
 The first element of discord infected was at the first meeting of the dele gation by Mir. Johnston, who presented resolution which sought to restrict the delegation's committeeman on ev- erything andSn allow them any right of discretion. Mir. Johnston declared that of the resolution, Senator Under wood knew nothing. It was not clear what object Mir. Johnston, well known as representing large corporate inter ests, had iR view when he sponsored the resolution which required the commit teemen to act only when instructed by the delegation.
 Resent Implication
 The prospective committeeman re- sented the idea that the Johnston re- solution implied a distrust of them which the senator did not share. And Johnston the following day was forced to correct and clarify the situation. The | resolution led to an acrimonious de- bate in executive session, the details of which are more or less obscure. It is known, however, that many members expressed themselves in vigorous and indignment fashion, and that on open rupture was avoided only because of the desire of all members of the dele gation that nothing occur that could possibly be adverse to Underwood and the explanation of Johnston when he saw the situation that no Qffense was intended by him and that Senator Un- derwood knew nothing of the resolu- i tion.
 The Ku Klux debate was, of course, the most exciting and potentially dan. gerous of all before the deIegation, just as 1t was before the convention proner, The majority of the members of fhe delegation were opposed to attacking the klan by name. They finally agreed to instruct their member of, the resolu- ttons committee to vote for a plank specifically mentioning the. Klan be- cause Senator Underwood wanted them to do so, because it was represented that his candidacy would not stand for the senator 100 per cent and destroy his plattorm at the same time.
 l angry OoDaG0 DoVeLODed
 When the member of the platform committee, in conformity with the John ston resolution requiring him to secure the instructions of the delegation before taking action, asked for instructions as to how he should proceed in reference to the plank before the resolutions com mittee which mentioned the klan by name, an angry debate was initiated. The Underwood plank was before the gelegatIon. One member moved that it pc amended by tsriking the section which mentioned the klan. Others took tne position that the delegation should support the senator's platform despite lts own desires, and it's own conception or political strategy. Some of the mem- Oers wanted the delegation to vote. Wenrso far as to suggest that if the roll was called, he would vote against the senator's plank, and then, as evidence of his loyalty change his vote if it was determined that his vote had consti- tuted majority.
 Three times, Governor Brandon. in stentorian tone, demanded: If any one nas objection to our member of fine reso- lutions committee voting for this dele gation in favor of the Underwood plank. express that opposition now"
 A pin fall could have been heard. so intense was the succeeding silence. There were present 35 of the 48 mem Ders Of the delegation. Some of thoae apsent were unable to attend. The ab. 1 senee ot others has not been explained
 Carlin Offers Plank
 On account of subsequent deveIon- ments, Frederick I. Thompson. Ala Dama's member of the resolutions or pla!torm committee, thought it would 1e' inadvisable, even in the face of his instructions, to vote for the plank nam ing the klan. Before the committee tne Underwood plank was brought bv '. 2. Carlin, Underwood's manaeer. ana delivered by General PattangaIi of Malne, member of the committee friendly to Underwood. | i, immediately after the introduction of Sne underwood plank, and before it had 2een thoroughly debated, it was with ur1wn; and anothmer, closer to PattaD- galrs heart, Substituted.
 70 before signing the minority report embracing ml the PattangaI substitute. Mr' thompson returned to the deIegation
 1e informed Governor Brandon, chair. man of the delegation, and Mr' John. sCon' Senator Underwood's spokesman ana floor leader, of the situation. He toid them that he had been instructed Oy the delegation to. vote for the minori-