The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-01-25
DEATH TAKES
UNDERWOOD
OF ALABAMA
Former Scion Passes at
His Residence Near
Mt. Vernon.
SENATE PAYS TRIBUTE
Became Known to Millions
of Radio Fans During
1924 Convention.
SENATE PAYS TRIBUTE

~ EAAOL4IANNI 4SlNs Ddtl. 4Os-l OA1AlCA
Senator Oscar Underwood Of Ala
bama, who became known to mil
lions of radio fans as the subject
OF the "twenty-four votes for IN
Garwood" call which opened every
ballot in the 1924 Democratic ma
tional convention, died at his coun-
Try home, "Woodlawn," near Mt.
vernon. Va, today.
His death came at HIS a. m. fol-
lowing stroke last month from
which he seemed to be recovering
rtil a few days ago.
Within a few minutes after his
death. the senate adjourned out of
aspect for one of the most dis
f'nguished Democrats who had
se''ved in that body in many years.
Underwood. was author Of the
Underwood tariff act which was en-
acted at the beginning of the Wilson
administration. He was minority
leader in the senate for several
years.
In 1924 he was a conspicuous
contender for the Democratic presi-
dental nomination.
He was a member of the Ameri-
can delegation to the Washington
arms conference in 1921 and the
sixth Pan-American conference at
Havana a year ago.
Quit Senate IN 1926
His health began to fail a few
years ago and he retired from the
senate In 1926. purchasing the his
toric estate 'Woodlawn" near Mt.
Vernon.
eWoodlawn" was built by George
WASHINGTON for his adopted daugh-
ter. Sally Custis, who married his
nephew. Colonel Lawrence Lewis.
The house was designed in 1905
hv Or. William Thornton, who de-
signed the capitol, and is considered
by architects as the finest example
of Georgian style In America.
Underwood was unusually popular
among senators and congressman
Of both parties.
Comment on his death included:
Senator Curtis rep. Floor
Ieader)-He was one of the finest
men I ever knew. served with him
many years in both senate and
house where we all liked him and
respected him.
Senator Borah REP. Ida)-Un-
derwood was one of the finest men
1 ever met in public life He always
was a gentleman and he was de-
voted to his work. He was very
able.
Kellogg Pays Tribute
Senator Overman Dem, n. Co.
The south has lost one of its dis
tinguished leaders. He was very
fine and lovable character
Senator Walsh (Dem., Month
MIR. Underwood occupied a very
large and very important place in
our public life. He was wise legis-
lator and most admirable gentle
man.
Senator Harrison Dem, MiSS0-
know of no man who has served in
lllC MllOoG NO1lNdG0So 4ONSA
him more than they did oscar Un-
derwood
Secretary of State Kellogg de-
scribed Underwood as a statesman
of the highest order.
IN the passing of Senator Un-
derwood," he said, "the country has
lost one of its great men and one
of its most conscientious servants. +"
Underwood achieved his real pop
ular fame in the 1924 Democratic
national convention in Madison
Square Garden when the famous
roll-cal answer, "twenty-four votes
for Underwood" became national
catch-line for a few weeks.
In President Race
He was a candidate for the preSi-
Dental nomination and was fa-
vored as a compromise by some
wet forces after Governor Smith
was eliminated as the possible NOM
inee. Alabama being the first on
the list of states in each roll call,
selected then Governor Brandon,
with leather lungs, to announce the
states vote.
Throughout that convention each
of the l03 ballots was begun by
Brandon shouting, Twenty four
.J1eS for Oscar Underwood" Final
" the entire convention made it a
practice to join Brandon in shout
ing out Alabama's vote, to the
amusement OF the millions listen
ing III by radio.
Educated in Virginia
He was born in Louisville KY,
educated at Rugby school there and
at the University of Virginia. He
was elected Democratic member
OF the house of representatives TO
the fifty-fourth, fifty-fifth. fifty
sixth. fifty-seventh, fifty-eighth,
flfty-ninth, sixtieth, sixty-first.
sixty-second and sixty-third con-
crosses and elected a member of
the United States senate on March
4, 1915, and served until 1927.
He Is survived by widow. Mrs.
Bertha Woodward Underwood, and
two sons Oscar Jr. and John Louis.
E2s.s~fo1 ss,tFa 80 ", T1sm,..fx.e~S,n,s> - AL