The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-14
ATTACK AIDS BILL
Editorial Assures Passage Of Under. wood Amendment, Say Leaders
 (WaShingtOn Rureau)


 Editorial Assures Passage Of Under.
 wood Amendment, Say Leaders
 Washington Bureau.)
 WASHINGTON, D. C., Dec. 13.- The sensational deuunciation by Senator Underwood of Alabama, on the floor torial contained this morning in Will liam R. Hearst's Washington Herald, has seemingly resulted in making more definitely certain the passage next week of his Muscle Shoals legislation.
 His contention that the criticism aimed at him ''by those too cowardly to attack the President of the United States" was in actual effect a per sonal arraignment of the executive "who stood in his recent message where l stand today, obviously heartened the support of administration senators. His defense of his bill and his severe lam basting of those who impugned his mo- tives, strengthened the supporting arm of his democratic colleagues, and quieted all those who have indulged in insinuations in the chamber. Dur ing the day. Senator Norris and Sen ator McKellar, both of whom prev iously had expressed themselves indi- rectly as critical of the senator's inten- tions, were silent, and Senator Howell, before delivering his speech in opposi- tion to the leasing section of the bill, declared that he would say nothing that could be regarded by the senator as offensive.
 It is evident, however that the fire works have not been exhausted. It is learned that Senator Norris, in making his final speech, will assail the White House for an alleged trade with Sen ator Underwood just as he was pre- pared last spring to assail the whole house for an alleged trade with Henry Ford. In that event, there is said to be no question but that Senator Under wood will elaborate his charge of this morning that the power monopoly of the country twas on the other side' by declaring that the power monopoly act ually aided in the preparation of the Norris bill.
 The disclosure to date, as presented today by Senator Underwood, that the lobby of the power monopoly was on the scene fighting his measure and sup porting that of Senator Norris, which is admittedly a power proposition, rem dered uneasy certain democratic sena- tors, among them Senator McKellar of Tennessee, who, while denouncing the | Alabama Power company, declared themselves advocates of the Norris bill. The indications were that eventually Senator McKellar and others in his shoes will take the middle ground in the situation. and embraces the proposed legislation of Senators Jones and Wads worth, which would result in the estab- lishment of commission charged with further investigations into Muscle Shoals possibilities.
 Underwood Is Angry
 | Senator Underwood, before begin ring his denunciation of the Hearst edi- torial this morning, was thoroughly angry. He seemed to get madder as he made progress. His language was as strong as could have been uttered in senate debate. When challenging any senator who took issue with him on any of his assertions to speak, or who be- ieyed any section "of this damnable libel" to stand on his feet, he elevated his voice and glared defiance i'll the dl- rection of Norris and Howell. Nickel lar. during the speech, was not in his seat. When, concluding, he asked m animous consent that the Judiciary committee investigate "this outrageous misrepresentation" and render its yer dict as to whether or not "this sllm1 snake" had spoken truthfully any where, no one murmured. Senator Un- derwood feels certain that he will be able to convict the editor of the paper before the committee as a liheler and Il is learned that result would be satisfac tory to him. Some of the friends oi Underwood suggested that he sue the newspaper in the courts and 1t IS un dcrstood that more than one offered tt serve as his counsel. But Underwood will not resort to that method of pro cedure, it is known.
 Crowd Packs Chamber
 It was quickly reported throughoL the capitol that Underwood was assail ing the editorial writer of the Herald with the result that the galleries sooI became packed. Members of the hous; rushed over, and among them wer' Congressmen Stegall, Almon, Hill ant McDuffie, Alabamians. It was the un animous verdict of these members tha Underwood had appeared more aroused than on the occasion of any similar un dertaking. The language he used, ant the anger that cledrly eApresseu ltSei in his countenance, was more bite and more pronounced than when he de tended himself, years ago, against charge of former Congressman Hobsoi that he was influenced by the "iquo forces" or when he took w. J. Bryal to task for having said that in writ ing his tariff act, he had discriminate ill favor of the manufacturing inter ests of the Birmingham district.
 Debate on the bill proper today con sisted of the speech of Senator Howel of Nebraska, who declared that nitrat
 produced at Muscle Shoals would re suit in a per capita saving to farmer of only 60 cents per year, and that tn Alabama Power company, because of 1t ownership of other power sources would be able to operate Muscle Shoals
 under the Underwood bill as a powe , proposition, and at profit of approxl n0O 00n nor ynar