New Britain herald., 1926-07-31
DEATH ENDS LIFE
 OF SEN. CUMMINS Prominent Iowa Republican Dies on Eye Of Retirement WRITING AUTOBIOGRAPHY
His Demise Leaves Senator Norris of Nebraska in Line for Chair man of the U. S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Des Moines, Ia, July 31 H9 - Senator Albert B. Cummins of Des Moines, a factor in Iowa politics for 39 years and a leader in the republican party since 1908, died here late yesterday on 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 76th year, failed to rally and suffered a relapse yesteray afternoon.
 III for Seven Years
 Senator Cumn1ins had been in III health intermittently for seven years but his death came unexpect- edly as it generally was believed he had fully recovered from past ill., ness. 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 condition. He refused, however, and his popularity re- turned him to the office he had held since 1908.
 Writing Autobiography
 Only a few hours before the fatal attack, the senator was at work on the autobiography which he had announced he would start during his final summer vacation e u r,oor,har of ooooraee IJis +ar,,, would have expired 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 primary.
 Senator Cummins first won rec ognition in Iowa politics as a lead CT of the progressive" element but in later years he was known and sometimes criticized for his impor- tant part in obtaining such national legislation as the Clayton act and the transportation act of 1920.
 In 1912, and again in 1916, MT Cummins approached a presidential nomination and he once refused a vice presidential nomination.
 Judiciary Chairman
 During the recent session of con- gress, he served as chairman of the judiciary committee, relinquishing the chairmanship of the interstate commerce committee on which he retained membership as the rank ing republican. He unsuccessfully pressed for action on his bill to facilitate consolidation of railroads and as head of the judiciary com- mittee had supervision over a wide range of prohibition proposals.
 His death puts Senator Norris of Nebraska in line for the judiciary chairmanship. ~gN
 Under Iowa law Hon. John Ham, mill will name a successor, who will serve until the expiration of the term next March.
 In legislative matters, Senator Cummins' deepest interest had long centered in railroad problems and the tariff.
 Influence on Tariff
 His influence on the tariff issue was far reaching, as he viewed it. for he first sponsored the Iowa idea in national politics and saw it adopted by his party. It was based upon the theory that the tariff rate should accurately meas ure the difference between cost production At honie and abroad.
 A dramatic touch was given Sen ator 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.
 Pioneer Insurgent
 Elected to the senate in 1908 as
 (CODtinuel on pnQe TwnA