Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-22

Few public men live to read of
themselves in the press generally such
expressions of admiration and regpect
as have appeared in newspaper COM
ment on the retirement of Oscar w.
Underwood, Senator from Alabama
and for years an outstanding figure in
the lower house.
Probably the greatest constructive
mind Alabama has ever contributed to
public life," liz the estimate of the
Birmingham News Of the Senator's
home State. Certainly no other pub
lie official has received that universal
recognition of ability accorded Mr.
Underwood; certainly also no other
has received so many honors nor re-
fiected 50 much of credit upon the
Commonwealth whose AMBASSADOR he
has been in the Senate" The News
views him as one who was never self
assertive, never passionate or push
ing" and recognizes that "the honors
that came to him came as unsolicited
recognition of merit by his fellows"
Reviewing his rise to Democratic lead.
ership in the House and later in the
Senate, the News refers to his quail
ties OF profound knowledge, sureness
and exactitude Of information, sound
Judgment and calm facing of facts"
and continues: During the World War
he was the right arm of Woodrow
Wilson; on the floor he was the spokes-
man for the administration, it's cham.
pion, it's bulwark. Next to Wilson,
probably he was the most powerful
man in the United States, and there.
fore the world, yet it wrought no
change in him. There was not the
least scintilla Of arrogance about him.
He was as modest and retiring as he
was when he first appeared as new
member Of the House of Representa-
tives."
From his record It must seem no
exaggeration to refer to Oscar w.
Underwood as statesman" believes
the Lansing State Journal which re-
fers to his career as one Of Service to
the Nation rather than self.seeking,"
and praises him because mo one has
done more to logically, persistently,
learnedly and ably combat the growing
tendency toward too great centraliza-
ton In American Government. One
may not himself be a Jeffersonian
Democrat" continues the Michigan
paper, but Jeffersonian Democrats
have their place and their use in the
world and Oscar w. Underwood has
always been a consistent Jeffersonian.
More thar being Jeffersonian. he ex-
tions."
The Butte Daily Post pays the
tribute that his party regarded him
as a citizen of presidential quality.
His career has been admirable" The
Roanoke Times states in similar vein:
HE had served the State of Alabama
in Congress with signal distinction for
80 years, Is of which were spent in the
House and IL in the Senate. In both
branches his party colleagues showed
their appreciation Of his parliamentary
ability by selecting him as their floor
leader. His ability was universally
conceded"
Declaring that Underwood ranks as
lone of the most capable legislators
this country has produced in his gen
Grafton" the Casper Daily Tribune
points out that 'he commanded the
high personal regard and profound
respect of Republicans and Democrats
alike" and refers to his appointment
by President Harding as a commits
sioner to the arms conference. The
Hartford Times thinks "Mr. Under
woods going leaves the Senate poorer
in ability and in capacity for public
service"
HE was Of the new South and his
spirit has always been Of the new
South" in the. opinion of the Fort
Worth Star-Telegram. Senator I'm
derwood has consistently displayed
genuine craftsmanship in the place
where it Is most needed. He and Car
ter Glass Of Virginia made sena-
torial team Of which the South could
we'll be proud as continuing the glor1-
Gus traditions of the past. when South
ern Senators added luster to the halls
of Congress. His public life has been
rich with sound performance, and his
retirement Is well earned. although the
country can i'll afford the absence of
such men from its highest councils"
For years he has been rated by
competent appraisers of all parties"
says the New Orleans Times Pfcayune,
zone Of the outstanding members of