Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-31
National G. 0. P. Leader, Re-
Gently Defeated, Served as
State Governor.
RAIL LAW WAS NOTABLE
Achievement IN 1920
Beginning Career as "Insurgent,"
He Gradually Merged Into
Ranks Of Party Regulars.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
DES MONIES, Iowa July 31.--Sen-
ator Albert Cummins of Des Mones,
a factor in Iowa politics for 80 years
and leader in the Republican party
since 1908, died here late yesterday
upon the eve of his retirement from
public life after Is years in the United
States Senate.
Stricken with an attack Of heart
disease early Thursday, the veteran
leader, who had reached his 10th year,
failed to rally and suffered a relapse
yesterday afternoon.
Senator Cummins had been in Ill
health intermittently for several
years, but his death came unexpected
ly, as it generally was believed. he
had fully recovered from past illness
His first serious sickness came in the
midst of his campaign for reelection
in 1920, when friends urged him TO
withdraw because of his physical con-
dition. He refused, however, and his
popularity returned him TO the Office
he had held since 1908.
Working on Memoirs.
JnlN n leW nOuES D6IOIS tIC Adldi
attack, the Senator was at work on
the autobiography, which he had an
nounced he would start during his
final Summer vacation as a member
of Congress- His term would have ex-
pired next March, and he then, would
have ended his political career as he
was defeated by Smith W. Brookhart
for the nomination in the June pri.
mary. Those close TO him declared
that he had regarded the termination
Of his public life as a great load OF
his shoulders. They attributed any
breakdown which may have con
tributed to his death to overwork be
fore the primary election, rather than
TO subsequent strain.
Senator Cummins first won recoSnl.
ton In Iowa politics as leader OF
The progressive" element. but in later
wears he was known and sometimes
criticized for his conservative views
He won special distinction through
his important part in obtaining such
national legislation as the Clayton act
and the transportation act OF l920.
Tn 1912 and again in 1916. Mr.. Cum
minis approached a presidential noml-
nation, and he once refused vice
presidential nomination.
Left. 1. c. c. Committee.
During the recent session of Con
rress he served as chairman of the
judiciary committee, having been de-
feated for the chaimanship of the in
terstate commerce committee, on
which he retained membership as the
ranking Republican. He unsucces5'
fully pressed for action on his bill TO
facilitate consolidation of railroads
and as head of the judiciary commit
tee had supervision over a wide
range of prohibition proposals.
His death puts Senator Norris OF
Nebraska. in line for the judiciary
craftsmanship. ;,
Hinder Iowa law Gov. John Hammil
will name a successor, who will serve
until the expiration of the term next
March. The governor, now on tour
in the West, stated the appointment
would not be announced until after
the funeral, arrangements for Whlcn
have not been completed.
Use of the Iowa State house for a
funeral for Senator Cummins was or
fered TO the Senator's family today
by Gov. Hammill in telegram from
Yellowstone Park, Wyo.
GOV. Hamill named Lieut.. Gov
Glenn w. Kimball, Council Bluffs, to
represent him officially at the funeral.
In legislative matters Senator Cum
n,ins' deepest interest has been long
centered in railroad problems and the
tariff. Although the EschCummins
fra nsportation act found much criti
I'ctsm in Iowa, the Senator was always
ready to defend it in principle.
Sponsored Iowa Idea"
His influence on the tariff issue was
even more far reaching, as he viewed
II for he first sponsored the Iowa
idea" in national politics and saw it
adopted by his party. 1t was Dased
upon the theory that the tarlH rate
should accurately measure the diner
ence between cost of production at
home and abroad.
He had often expressed gratifica
t;on that the latest agitation for
agricultural legislation was based
upon his old-time issue-an equallza'
ton of production costs.
An important part of his unfinished
work was his plan for railroad con
solidation, which he considered SO
luton of the railroad problem. He
had planned to renew the hight on
this issue at the coming short session
of Congress.
Senator Cummins was in Des
Moines a week when the Republican
state convention was held here and
was expected to take part in that
gathering, but decided to remain
away because of excessive heat and a
feeling that his presence along with
that of Col. Brookhart might cause
some unpleasantness
The convention reflected Iowa S
high regard for the veteran when his
name was mentioned through a
lengthy demonstration.
A dramatic touch was given Sena-
tor Cummins' final words to an Iowa
audience, when, forced by his duties
in Washington. to content himself
with only one primary campaign
speech, he addressed thousands of
voters of the State by radio through
a remote control hookup.
Broke With Party Chiefs.
Mr.. Cummins early found himself
in violent disagreement with the Re-
publican leaders on the fundamental
principles of protection and joined
with Dolliver, Bristow, Clapp and
Beveridge in the memorable Senate
fight. over the famous Payne-Aldrich
tariff.
While thus placing himself in the
forefront of the ranks of the Republic
an Progressives, as they were de-
fined in those days, Senator Cummins
allowed the Progressive movement to
run ahead of him. AS result some
of the Progressive element In his
State opposed their former leader in
his ambition succeed himself in
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